Inside Byrna’s U.S. Factory: How a Non-Lethal Weapon Maker Bets on American Workers
(NewsNation) — In the heart of the American Midwest, a factory line hums with activity as workers assemble self-defense launchers using predominantly U.S.-sourced components. Byrna Technologies, the company behind these non-lethal devices, has positioned itself at the intersection of public safety concerns and a renewed push for domestic manufacturing.
Founded in 2019, Byrna produces CO2-powered launchers that fire hard-plastic, rubber or chemical-filled projectiles designed to disable threats from a distance without lethal force. Resembling a pistol, each unit is hand-assembled from more than 120 individual parts. Sean Bratten, Byrna’s vice president of production, says the process demands precision. “It takes a skilled craftsman,” Bratten said.
According to its website, the company aims to “provide civilians and security professionals with safe, reliable, and effective less-lethal alternatives to traditional firearms.” Unlike firearms, the launchers are not legally classified as weapons — meaning no concealed-carry license or background check is required to purchase one. Instead of bullets, they can fire rounds filled with military-grade tear gas.
“Byrna’s a great tool to have an option for self-defense, where they can feel confident pulling that trigger, they don’t have to hesitate,” said Will Harvey, customer service manager. “The stakes are not as high as a real firearm, but you still get an excellent tool for protection.”
More than 90% of the materials used in the launchers come from U.S. suppliers, many located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Byrna is headquartered. The company moved its manufacturing from South Africa to the United States in 2021 to avoid supply chain disruptions — a decision that has resonated with customers. “We have a lot of customers that reach out and say, ‘Hey, I hear you make these in America,’ and they absolutely love that,” Harvey said. “More and more companies try to outsource every day. Byrna’s doing the opposite.”
When Byrna launched, it had three employees. It now employs more than 150, earning three times Indiana’s average wage. The company closed its last fiscal year with $120 million in revenue.
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Joshua Schirard, Byrna’s director of law enforcement, said the company’s mission is straightforward: give people more choices, not fewer. “We are staunch Second Amendment supporters,” Schirard said. “We’re not here to replace that. We’re here to provide options that are going to fit the scenarios that people are going to find themselves in so that they can make the correct decision.”
The broader “American Made” series highlights other U.S.-based manufacturers, from century-old food producers to sustainable aviation fuel startups, underscoring a growing consumer and corporate appetite for domestic production.
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