The Day I Found Out That the Right Self-Defense Tool Could Save More Than My Life

How a Regular Guy in North Carolina Used the Right Tool—and the Right Legal Support—to Win in Court After a Self-Defense Incident.

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When an ordinary North Carolina man was forced to defend himself, his choice of a non-lethal tool—and the legal support behind him—made all the difference. This gripping real-life story reveals how thoughtful preparation can mean the difference between freedom and prison. You’ll never look at self-defense the same way again.

The Story

My name’s Mike Reynolds. I’m nobody special—just a regular guy from North Carolina who works hard, pays taxes, and tries to do right by my family. I’m not some ex-military type or martial arts expert. But like many people, I started taking personal safety more seriously a few years ago when crime began creeping a little too close to home. That’s what led me to carry a non-lethal self-defense tool—the Defender One. It aligns with my values: powerful enough to stop someone in their tracks, yet explicitly designed not to cause permanent injury. That mattered to me. I didn’t want to be the guy who overreacts and ends up on the wrong side of the law. I just wanted to be prepared in case things ever went sideways.

Well, they did. One afternoon, I was heading back to my car after grabbing a late lunch. It was broad daylight, in a parking lot I’d walked a hundred times before. That’s when I noticed a guy moving fast in my direction. At first, I thought maybe he was just in a hurry. But something in his eyes told a different story—and when he pulled a knife and lunged, there was no mistaking his intentions. I didn’t panic. I didn’t freeze. I drew my Defender One, just like I had trained, and deployed it. The device did exactly what it was supposed to do: stopped him cold without doing any lasting damage. Cops arrived within minutes. They questioned me, questioned him (once he was coherent), and ultimately, I went home that night thinking I’d done everything right. But that’s when my real fight started. A few days later, I was served papers by local officials. I was being charged with assault. The DA said I “used excessive force.” I couldn’t believe it. I wasn’t the one with the knife. I was the one being attacked. But none of that seemed to matter at first. I was considering the real consequences—fines, possibly even jail time. Thankfully, I had U.S. Law Shield. I signed up with them a while back, figuring it was like insurance—I hoped I’d never need it, but if I did, I’d be glad it was there. And man, was I ever right. From the first phone call, they had my back. They connected me with a local attorney who was well-versed in North Carolina law and guided me through every step of the process

. In court, the prosecutor attempted to portray me as a vigilante seeking a fight. They made it sound like I chose my tool to hurt, not protect. But my attorney wasn’t having it. He made it crystal clear that I had deliberately chosen a tool—like the Defender One—that was designed to avoid permanent harm. He said something that stuck with me: “This man could’ve done worse. He had options—but he chose restraint.” That hit the jury hard. The jury wasn’t just evaluating the fact that I defended myself—the jury was assessing how I did it. My tool left no lasting injuries. No blood. No permanent damage. It was the most unmistakable evidence of my intent to stop the threat without taking things too far. My attorney walked the jury through the concept of “reasonable force.” He explained that knives, guns, and makeshift weapons often lead to lifelong consequences—if not for the attacker, then for the defender facing criminal charges. But what did I use? It demonstrated training, forethought, and control. And that made all the difference. After several long days in court, I was cleared of all charges. But those days were some of the hardest I’ve ever lived through. It’s one thing to survive an attack—it’s another thing entirely to sit in front of strangers and convince them that you’re not a criminal. That’s why I’m telling you this. Your choice of self-defense tool can mean the difference between freedom and a prison sentence. I’m not here to tell you what to carry—that’s your business. However, I want to tell you that you need to think about it now, before you ever find yourself in a situation like mine. And if you haven’t trained with what you carry? Start. Learn about force, restraint, and de-escalation. It’s not about “being a tough guy.” It’s about protecting yourself both legally and physically. I’ll repeat it: I’m not some hero. I’m just a guy who made a wise choice before I had to make a hard one. The Defender One helped stop the threat—and U.S. Law Shield made sure I didn’t lose everything afterward. So yeah, I still carry. But now I carry smarter because I know that what I carry—and what I don’t—could change the rest of my life. Choosing a tool that shows restraint, combined with proper training and legal protection, can not only save your life but also prove your intent to act responsibly. In self-defense, preparation is your strongest ally.

The Lesson: Restraint Wins—Why Smart Self-Defense Is About More than Just Survival. Your self-defense decisions don’t end when the threat is over—they follow you into the courtroom.

Your self-defense decisions don’t end when the threat is over—they follow you into the courtroom. Choosing a tool that shows restraint, combined with proper training and legal protection, can not only save your life but also prove your intent to act responsibly. In self-defense, preparation is your strongest ally.