Surge in Non-Lethal Self-Defense Sales in Paris Ahead of Planned Protests

Firearms vendors in Paris are experiencing a notable increase in sales of non-lethal self-defense tools, such as high-powered pepper spray guns. With shopkeepers preparing for potential unrest this Saturday, many are also stocking up on items like telescopic batons, baseball bats, and iron bars.

Last weekend, protests escalated into rioting and looting in various French cities, prompting the government to acknowledge its slow response and subsequent loss of control in certain areas. Trust in the government’s ability to safeguard private property has plummeted, leading to heightened sales of defensive equipment in anticipation of further protests slated for Saturday in Paris and other urban locales.

According to the city newspaper Le Parisien, shopkeepers in the Ile-de-France region are bracing for potential violence and looting. The president of the National Trade Association of Gunsmiths conveyed that there’s a prevailing feeling of vulnerability among retailers: “Everyone feels they could be looted—and, more importantly, shopkeepers feel that the police haven’t protected them. They want to defend themselves rather than being looted ten times over,” he stated.

The association emphasized that while its members should remain “upstanding, law-abiding citizens,” there are growing concerns that if police restore order, trouble might still loom ahead.

Gun shops in central Paris are reportedly inundated with inquiries for legal self-defense items such as pepper spray and rubber ball pistols. One store owner mentioned that sales have surged tenfold, noting that many shopkeepers feel “traumatized” by recent events.

Although owning real weapons for self-defense is illegal in France, some shopkeepers are reportedly risking it with basic tools for protection. One such retailer mentioned acquiring an iron bar as a last resort, stating that people could end up dead if they don’t take a stand, saying, “We’ve warned everyone.”

Germany’s Die Welt reported that Alain Di Crescenzo, President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reflected the anxious mood among business owners, highlighting a dual fear of both economic and physical safety.

The rising demand for non-lethal self-defense tools, like pepper spray, has been observed in Europe’s predominantly disarmed societies, particularly following significant events that shake public safety. Similar surges were noted in response to the terror attacks in Paris in November 2015 and the recent attacks in Israel.

In 2016, a parallel trend occurred in Germany; after a series of assaults in Cologne, gun stores reported an increase in the sale of pepper spray and other self-defense products. One shop owner relayed that demand had soared, particularly among women purchasing items for personal protection.

In the subsequent month, other German towns saw similar spikes in interest, with concerned parents equipping their daughters amid rising fears. Local police criticized the growing self-defense market, warning that it might provoke further conflict.

Breitbart News also noted increases in pepper spray sales in Sweden, coinciding with a spike in crime. These patterns reflect a widespread concern that seems to be prompting many in Europe to seek ways to protect themselves and their families in uncertain times.