Former Pro Racer Cort Wagner Uses Byrna Launcher to Protect His Family

On a recent evening in Santa Monica, former professional racecar driver Cort Wagner found himself in a situation far removed from the racetrack. Walking with his wife and young child, Wagner encountered a man lying on a discarded mattress near their home. The man began shouting aggressively, and when Wagner asked him to move, the situation escalated.

According to Wagner, the man suddenly lunged toward him while holding a sharp object. With his family just steps behind, Wagner quickly went to his vehicle and retrieved a Byrna personal defense launcher he kept in the glove box. He fired several rounds at the man, striking him multiple times. The assailant staggered, reportedly asking, “Did you just shoot me?”, before retreating.

Police officers arrived shortly after. They observed welts on the suspect’s torso consistent with impact from Byrna rounds. The man was taken into custody without further incident.

For Wagner, the experience underscored the importance of being prepared. “I hadn’t touched it in years, but it worked flawlessly,” he said of the launcher. He added that he believed it prevented a dangerous confrontation from turning into something much worse for him and his family.

Byrna pepper guns, often referred to as Byrna Launchers, are non-lethal self-defense weapons powered by compressed air (CO2). They are designed to incapacitate an attacker temporarily without causing permanent harm and are not considered firearms.

Key Features and Function

• Propulsion and Caliber: They use CO2 cartridges to fire .68 caliber round projectiles at speeds of up to 330 feet per second, with an effective range of up to 60 feet or more depending on the model.
• Projectiles: Byrna Launchers can fire several types of rounds:
  • Chemical Irritant Rounds: These contain powders like PAVA (synthetic pepper spray), OC (pepper spray), and/or CS (tear gas). Upon impact, the rounds burst and disperse a cloud of the irritant, which causes severe respiratory distress, eye irritation, and disorientation, potentially disabling an attacker for up to 30 minutes.
  • Kinetic Rounds: These are hard plastic or polymer balls designed to deliver a blunt-force impact blow to inflict pain and temporarily incapacitate the target.
  • Inert/Training Rounds: These are typically used for practice.
• Technology: Many models feature a patented "pull-pierce" technology, which allows the CO2 cylinder to remain unpunctured until the first pull of the trigger. This ensures the launcher is "always at the ready" and won't leak CO2 over time.
• Design and Legality: They are typically compact, about the size of a 9mm handgun, and are marketed as a less-lethal alternative to traditional firearms. They are generally marketed as being legal in all 50 U.S. states without the need for permits or background checks, though users are advised to check local regulations.

See prices of Byrna SD and LE and CL