It’s not that the Jedi don’t use blasters; they will in times of great need, such as during the Rebellion Period in the Original Trilogy. Therefore, the lightsaber is their chosen weapon because it’s an extension of themselves.
Blasters also don’t fit with a Jedi’s calling, which is to serve as peacekeepers and advisors.
They resort to force when necessary, and even then, a Jedi’s conservative style of using combat makes the lightsaber a more attractive tool than the blaster or other long-range weapons.
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Are Jedi Not Allowed to Use Blasters?
The Jedi are allowed to use blasters, but it’s frowned upon. We know this since during the Golden Age of the Republic seen in the Prequel Trilogy, rarely do they use blasters or any other weapon except for the lightsaber.
This is because it’s not the Jedi Way to kill unless deemed necessary. Lightsabers can deflect and even vaporize blasts and other projectiles.
They can also scare off potential opponents when a Jedi emits the blade. Blasters have no defense mechanism, they can only kill or wound.
In The Revenge of the Sith’s opening scenes, Anakin Skywalker proclaims killing a defeated opponent is “not the Jedi Way” to Chancellor Palpatine after he kills Count Dooku; this further shows it’s not in the natural nature of the Jedi to kill.
However, there are instances where Jedi have even used blasters as a primary weapon.
In the Original Trilogy, Luke Skywalker is seen using a blaster, even after Obi-Wan Kenobi gifted him Anakin’s lightsaber. During this time, the Galactic Empire had taken over and the Jedi’s numbers were minute, with Obi-Wan, Yoda, and few others remaining.
Despite his distaste of blasters, Obi-Wan used them in his fight against General Grievous during Revenge of the Sith when he had no access to his lightsaber.
“Uncivilized” is the umbrella term that Jedi of Obi-Wan’s generation referred to them as, but it wouldn’t stop Jedi of the era from using blasters.
Overall, the Jedi, while not prohibited from using blasters, were also encouraged to use lightsabers over long-range weapons, as they took time and discipline to build and wield.
As for blasters, they did not require as much training nor sensitivity to the Force, and any normal being can use them with proper training.
With lightsabers serving as an honorable symbol for the Jedi, the use of blasters take a natural backseat when they’re involved in combat.
Why Don’t Jedi Use Blasters?
Jedi are unique among other beings in the Star Wars Universe because they’re Force-sensitive. This allows them the ability to wield a lightsaber while non-force-sensitive beings can use a lightsaber, but have a more difficult time doing so.
Since Jedi can use a lightsaber for defense or de-escalation, the weapon has more options instead of simply to wound or to kill. It also keeps the Jedi in check, and since the lightsaber is their extension, the decision to kill rises to a more personal level than with a blaster.
Blasters are easier to use in terms of killing sprees, while it’s more challenging with a lightsaber, further keeping a Jedi grounded. Staying grounded is a Jedi’s endgame, as the more a Jedi kills, the less sensitive they become to killing, and the easier they can turn to the dark side.
Using lightsabers over blasters also leads to higher mental discipline given its defense and sensitivity mechanisms, allowing them to further control their emotions.
Jedi, because of their heightened physical capabilities and Force sensitivity, could be more prone to turning to the dark side the more they use all-out offensive weapons like blasters.
This is especially true for characters like Anakin Skywalker.
Therefore, the Jedi’s first instinct is defense, defending themselves or any threatened individual. They cannot set ambushes, seek revenge, nor can they attack first or duel unarmed opponents.
The blaster, as a long-range weapon, is unnecessary for a Jedi because of their ability to pursue attackers and deflect incoming rounds. This allows the Jedi to hold true to their conservative, close-range, and more personal fighting style.
When an enemy using a blaster realizes their advanced weapon is no match for the Jedi, they could even give up without an otherwise violent confrontation ending in bloodshed.
Overall, Jedi seek peaceful resolutions, not violent ones.
Their intentions involve limited confrontation and diplomatic approaches, seen in The Phantom Menace when Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi try to negotiate with the Trade Federation.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn only resort to violence when pressed to fight their way out.
Even when they need to resort to force and fight their way out of a situation, Jedi do so from close-range, seen as an honorable method. This is as opposed to long-range weapons, which can snipe and kill when an opponent least expects it.
For these reasons, Jedi rarely use blasters. They don’t carry them, and when they use them, it’s as a last resort mechanism.
Sion Fawkes has been covering Star Wars since January 2022, expanding his expertise in both Star Wars Canon and Legends. When not writing, you can find Sion in the gym or running trails. He also likes watching sports and listening to audiobooks.