TSA-Proof Protection? A Real-World Look at the Munio Keychain
Article Overview
This article evaluates the Munio self-defense keychain, highlighting its TSA-friendly, discreet design and effectiveness in real-world situations. It discusses the Munio’s intuitive use, striking capability, and its role in personal safety. The piece also notes the company’s commitment to safety through free instructional videos and training programs.
How We Got Here
A few months ago, the folks at Munio Self-Defense contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in evaluating their flagship product, the Munio keychain. I’m always on the lookout for useful products, so I picked out a style and gave them my shipping info. A few days later, a Munio appeared on my doorstep. If you haven’t figured out by now, Munio did send us the keychain at no cost, but it won’t influence my evaluation of it.
A Crowded Market
The Munio (Latin for ‘to protect’) is a covert self-defense option. Now that’s nothing new. There are tons of covert devices out there. Some are barely covert, others take 20 moves to get into use. The Munio is neither of those. It doesn’t look like a weapon, and it is easy to employ immediately, so that gives it a head start on most of the field.
What Does the Munio Do?
It’s deceptively simple. You carry the device in your hand, leaving your keys dangling free. From there, it’s a matter of intuitive strikes to vulnerable areas like the temple or neck, or to muscles like the quads, biceps and forearms. If you’ve taken any type of martial arts or even a self-defense class, you’re already familiar with these points.
The striking area is a hard plastic point. Now it’s not sharpened, but it is pointy enough that it focuses the full force of a strike in a very small area. Striking the wrist of a dude who grabs you? The Munio will make that hurt a lot more.
Another advantage is that it really can’t be turned against you in the same way that a gun or even pepper spray can. Yes, someone using it on you will hurt, but you’ll be alive and capable of continuing the fight and trying to get to safety.
The company makes a number of videos available for free on the website. Not only do the videos show how to use the Munio, it shows other empty-hand techniques. Making that available for free is great. That sort of value add from the company speaks to their commitment to the safety of their customers.
First Impressions
I’m going to date myself here, but if you’re old enough, you’ll understand right away. The first thing I thought of when I picked the Munio up was those plastic keychains that used to be on hotel room keys. It’s about the same size and weight. Although the Munio is plastic, it’s strong. I tried bending it and that wasn’t happening. The video below shows it in action, doing some serious damage.
It fits comfortably in the hand and doesn’t feel strange when you’re walking with it. The company suggests leaving your keys hanging free so that you can swing them at the face for a slashing attack. I can see the value there, but it won’t be a thing for me. As you can see, I’m very minimalist when it comes to my keys. Unlike the old safety director days when I had keys for everything in four locations, now it’s 3 keys.
Truly Covert
There are a lot of so-called covert self-defense options that are very obviously weapons. I can see it. Bad guys can see it. And TSA can see it. I carry a tactical pen often, but I hold my breath every time I go through a metal detector with it. I leave the ink pen part exposed, but I’m prepared to lose it.
Courthouses and TSA are different animals. Taking an actual weapon through those checkpoints can result in a lot more than just losing your pen. I don’t know about you, but I’m too pretty to go to jail. So, in those settings, I scale down to a stainless-steel Zebra pen. It’s not ideal, but I can fight with it if I need to.
What about schools and colleges? Again, not places that are usually weapon-friendly, but nobody will look twice at a keychain filled with butterflies or flowers. Put your phone away. Put the Munio in your hand. Be safer.
I have zero doubt that the Munio will make it through TSA. Not only are there no sharp points, but they also don’t look like a weapon. They have a wide range of designs, ranging from butterflies to cats to wine. And men, don’t worry, there are some manly designs too. Or get something neutral and do the gray man thing. Either way, they give you choices. The point is, you can walk a Zebra pen and a Munio through TSA and it shouldn’t raise an eyebrow.
But I Carry a Gun
Cool. Good for you. I encourage that. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you that I think this is a good choice to confront an active shooter with. But the answer to every problem isn’t a gun or even a knife. Less-than-lethal options are a good idea. We’ve tested POM Pepper Spray, and I can 100% say it works, but as the owners of Munio demonstrated in this video, pepper spray may not be a good option for certain attacks. (Watch the video, it’s fun)
If you find yourself in non-permissive environments (NPE) on a regular basis, something like this is worth keeping on you. Maybe you even have a gun in the car, but you still have to get to your car.
The Munio can also help you with weapon retention. If you find yourself fighting to keep control of your gun, I want to use something that multiplies my efforts. This could do exactly that.
Don’t Forget Situational Awareness
I’d be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to point out the importance of situational awareness. A $2,000 pistol, a $200 knife or even the Munio won’t make up for a lack of situational awareness. But good SA can often keep you from being in a situation where you need these items. Prevention beats reaction % of the time.
A Whole Program
Munio Self-defense does more than just sell the keychains. They have a network of instructors who teach 1-hour classes. What if you could bring this training to the women in your church, workplace or HOA?
Even better, they can do custom branding. Imagine everyone in your company having this effective, legal tool in their everyday lives or when traveling.
Will I Use It?
I’ll be upfront about it. This probably won’t be an everyday carry item for me. But, like my little Ruger LCP, it still has a purpose. If my plans involve the courthouse, the Munio will go with me. My wife and I are going to Europe later this year. Most of those countries hate weapons, but I’m taking this with us. That means I’ll need to buy another one for my wife. So yes, I will use it when the situation fits what the Munio has to offer. If this sounds like it might fit your situation, check them out.
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Key Takeaways
- Effective Design: The Munio keychain is discreet, lightweight, and easy to use, making it a practical self-defense tool.
- Striking Power: Its hard plastic point can focus force on small areas, increasing the impact of strikes.
- TSA-Friendly: Its design and non-threatening appearance make it likely to pass through airport security without issues.
- Training Resources: The company offers free instructional videos and a network of instructors to teach practical use.
- Situational Awareness: The Munio is a supplement, not a substitute, for good situational awareness, which is key to personal safety.
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