'Salt' is a gun and pepper spray in one (update)
Salt's Indiegogo campaign says it "was designed around the belief that a gun does not have to take a life to protect a life." See, it might look like conventional handgun, but its bullets aren't made of lead. Instead, they're pellets that contain a proprietary mixture of powdered chemicals, including oleoresin capsicum: a ghost pepper extract used for pepper sprays. Since the pellets explode when they collide with a solid object, you don't even have to hit your target. Its creators said the powder mixture, which "exceeds the potency of those used by" Homeland Security and the military, causes temporary blindness, makes the lungs constrict and stings the human skin.
Update (11/11/15): Salt is now available for pre-order from its official website. The company plans to ship the first 250 pieces out in 2016 and is currently selling the device at $50 less its official retail price ($350).
The start-up's CEO Adam Kennedy said he keeps his inside the nightstand, since it doesn't exactly need to be locked up (unless you have kids, of course). He and his team clarified, however, that they're not trying to take away people's right to bear arms by taking steps to release their creation to the public. Their campaign page says they just want to support "American households who do not feel like a traditional firearm is the right choice for them." That said, you can't back the project and expect to get the $350 gun as a reward (if and) when it starts shipping out if you live in New York, Massachusetts, Hawaii and California. Salt unfortunately can't be shipped to those states due to shipping restrictions and chemical laws.
Update: Salt was pulled by Indiegogo this morning, "because it straddled the traditional categories of safety devices and weapon," the team told us. If you've already backed the project, you will receive a refund. Kennedy and co. are now looking for an alternative crowdfunding site -- in the meantime, you can sign up to receive further updates on their website.
Thank you to everyone that shared/liked/supported/believed in SALT and a better, safer gun that does not have to take a life in order to protect a life. We were so excited to see so many of you as passionate about a firearm alternatives as we are. In a debate as polarizing as gun safety, we have found that the courage needed to take a stand for a new way can be very hard. Andy and I were very disappointed to find that IndieGoGo removed the SALT project this morning because it straddled the traditional categories of safety device or weapon. Of course, anyone who purchased or donated to SALT through IndieGoGo will automatically receive a full refund.
Given the excitement and interest around SALT, we are working as quickly as we can to find an alternative crowdfunding site that will support our mission to make the world a safer place. In the meantime, we would love to keep you up to date on SALT news and where you can place an order. Please enter your contact information below and we will notify you as soon as pre-orders are available again. We are excited about the future for SALT and the technology we will bring to the marketplace to help protect the ones we love.
