diff --git a/src/cmds/core/ban.py b/src/cmds/core/ban.py
index 18d98c3..67699ef 100644
--- a/src/cmds/core/ban.py
+++ b/src/cmds/core/ban.py
@@ -31,13 +31,14 @@ async def ban(
             self, ctx: ApplicationContext, user: discord.Member, reason: str, evidence: str = None
     ) -> Interaction | WebhookMessage:
         """Ban a user from the server permanently."""
+        await ctx.defer(ephemeral=False)
         member = await self.bot.get_member_or_user(ctx.guild, user.id)
         if not member:
-            return await ctx.respond(f"User {user} not found.")
+            return await ctx.followup.send(f"User {user} not found.")
         response = await ban_member(
             self.bot, ctx.guild, member, "500w", reason, evidence, ctx.user, needs_approval=False
         )
-        return await ctx.respond(response.message, delete_after=response.delete_after)
+        return await ctx.followup.send(response.message, delete_after=response.delete_after)
 
     @slash_command(
         guild_ids=settings.guild_ids, description="Ban a user from the server temporarily."
@@ -50,13 +51,14 @@ async def tempban(
         self, ctx: ApplicationContext, user: discord.Member, duration: str, reason: str, evidence: str = None
     ) -> Interaction | WebhookMessage:
         """Ban a user from the server temporarily."""
+        await ctx.defer(ephemeral=False)
         member = await self.bot.get_member_or_user(ctx.guild, user.id)
         if not member:
-            return await ctx.respond(f"User {user} not found.")
+            return await ctx.followup.send(f"User {user} not found.")
         response = await ban_member(
             self.bot, ctx.guild, member, duration, reason, evidence, ctx.user, needs_approval=True
         )
-        return await ctx.respond(response.message, delete_after=response.delete_after)
+        return await ctx.followup.send(response.message, delete_after=response.delete_after)
 
     @slash_command(guild_ids=settings.guild_ids, description="Unbans a user from the server.")
     @has_any_role(
@@ -156,11 +158,12 @@ async def dispute(self, ctx: ApplicationContext, ban_id: int, duration: str) ->
     @has_any_role(*settings.role_groups.get("ALL_ADMINS"), *settings.role_groups.get("ALL_MODS"))
     async def warn(self, ctx: ApplicationContext, user: discord.Member, reason: str) -> Interaction | WebhookMessage:
         """Warns a user of an action. Adds no weight but DMs the user about the warning and the reason why."""
+        await ctx.defer(ephemeral=False)
         member = await self.bot.get_member_or_user(ctx.guild, user.id)
         if not member:
-            return await ctx.respond(f"User {user} not found.")
+            return await ctx.followup.send(f"User {user} not found.")
         response = await add_infraction(ctx.guild, member, 0, reason, ctx.user)
-        return await ctx.respond(response.message, delete_after=response.delete_after)
+        return await ctx.followup.send(response.message, delete_after=response.delete_after)
 
     @slash_command(
         guild_ids=settings.guild_ids,
@@ -171,11 +174,12 @@ async def strike(
         self, ctx: ApplicationContext, user: discord.Member, weight: int, reason: str
     ) -> Interaction | WebhookMessage:
         """Strike the user with the selected weight. DMs the user about the strike and the reason why."""
+        await ctx.defer(ephemeral=False)
         member = await self.bot.get_member_or_user(ctx.guild, user.id)
         if not member:
-            return await ctx.respond(f"User {user} not found.")
+            return await ctx.followup.send(f"User {user} not found.")
         response = await add_infraction(ctx.guild, member, weight, reason, ctx.user)
-        return await ctx.respond(response.message, delete_after=response.delete_after)
+        return await ctx.followup.send(response.message, delete_after=response.delete_after)
 
     @slash_command(
         guild_ids=settings.guild_ids,
diff --git a/src/cmds/core/user.py b/src/cmds/core/user.py
index bd5218c..1e2cc10 100644
--- a/src/cmds/core/user.py
+++ b/src/cmds/core/user.py
@@ -75,17 +75,18 @@ async def bad_name(self, ctx: ApplicationContext, user: Member) -> Interaction |
     async def kick(self, ctx: ApplicationContext, user: Member, reason: str, evidence: str = None) \
             -> Interaction | WebhookMessage:
         """Kick a user from the server."""
+        await ctx.defer(ephemeral=False)
         member = await self.bot.get_member_or_user(ctx.guild, user.id)
-        if not isinstance(member, discord.Member):
-            return await ctx.respond("User seems to have already left the server.")
         if not member:
-            return await ctx.respond(f"User {user} not found.")
+            return await ctx.followup.send(f"User {user} not found.")
+        if not isinstance(member, discord.Member):
+            return await ctx.followup.send("User seems to have already left the server.")
         if member_is_staff(member):
-            return await ctx.respond("You cannot kick another staff member.")
+            return await ctx.followup.send("You cannot kick another staff member.")
         if member.bot:
-            return await ctx.respond("You cannot kick a bot.")
+            return await ctx.followup.send("You cannot kick a bot.")
         if ctx.user.id == member.id:
-            return await ctx.respond("You cannot kick yourself.")
+            return await ctx.followup.send("You cannot kick yourself.")
 
         if len(reason) == 0:
             reason = "No reason given..."
@@ -93,20 +94,20 @@ async def kick(self, ctx: ApplicationContext, user: Member, reason: str, evidenc
         try:
             await member.send(f"You have been kicked from {ctx.guild.name} for the following reason:\n>>> {reason}\n")
         except Forbidden as ex:
-            await ctx.respond(
+            await ctx.followup.send(
                 "Could not DM member due to privacy settings, however will still attempt to kick them..."
             )
             logger.warning(f"HTTPException when trying to unban user with ID {user.id}: {ex}")
         except HTTPException as ex:
             logger.warning(f"HTTPException when trying to unban user with ID {user.id}: {ex}")
-            return await ctx.respond(
+            return await ctx.followup.send(
                 "Here's a 400 Bad Request for you. Just like when you tried to ask me out, last week.",
             )
 
         await ctx.guild.kick(user=member, reason=reason)
         infraction_reason = f"Previously kicked for: {reason} - Evidence: {evidence}"
         await add_infraction(ctx.guild, member, 0, infraction_reason, ctx.user)
-        return await ctx.respond(f"{member.name} got the boot!")
+        return await ctx.followup.send(f"{member.name} got the boot!")
 
     def _match_role(self, role_name: str) -> Tuple[Union[int, None], Union[str, None]]:
         joinable = self.bot.role_manager.get_joinable_roles() if self.bot.role_manager else {}
diff --git a/tests/helpers.py b/tests/helpers.py
index 62cb583..9a7f775 100644
--- a/tests/helpers.py
+++ b/tests/helpers.py
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ class MockContext(CustomMockMixin, mock.MagicMock):
     """
     spec_set = context_instance
 
-    additional_spec_asyncs = ("respond",)
+    additional_spec_asyncs = ("respond", "defer")
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs) -> None:
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
@@ -507,6 +507,8 @@ def __init__(self, **kwargs) -> None:
         self.channel = kwargs.get('channel', MockTextChannel())
         self.message = kwargs.get('message', MockMessage())
         self.respond = mock.AsyncMock()
+        self.followup = mock.MagicMock()
+        self.followup.send = mock.AsyncMock()
 
 
 dummy_attachment = {
diff --git a/tests/src/cmds/core/test_ban.py b/tests/src/cmds/core/test_ban.py
index e7a2bb9..6acc227 100644
--- a/tests/src/cmds/core/test_ban.py
+++ b/tests/src/cmds/core/test_ban.py
@@ -45,10 +45,23 @@ async def test_ban_success(self, ctx, bot):
             ban_member_mock.assert_called_once_with(
                 bot, ctx.guild, user, "500w", "Any valid reason", "Some evidence", ctx.user, needs_approval=False
             )
-            ctx.respond.assert_called_once_with(
+            ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+            ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with(
                 f"Member {user.display_name} has been banned permanently.", delete_after=0
             )
 
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_ban_user_not_found(self, ctx, bot):
+        ctx.user = helpers.MockMember(id=1, name="Test User")
+        user = helpers.MockMember(id=2, name="Banned User")
+        bot.get_member_or_user.return_value = None
+
+        cog = ban.BanCog(bot)
+        await cog.ban.callback(cog, ctx, user, "Any valid reason", "Some evidence")
+
+        ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+        ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with(f"User {user} not found.")
+
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_tempban_success(self, ctx, bot):
         ctx.user = helpers.MockMember(id=1, name="Test User")
@@ -72,10 +85,23 @@ async def test_tempban_success(self, ctx, bot):
             ban_member_mock.assert_called_once_with(
                 bot, ctx.guild, user, "5d", "Any valid reason", "Some evidence", ctx.user, needs_approval=True
             )
-            ctx.respond.assert_called_once_with(
+            ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+            ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with(
                 f"Member {user.display_name} has been banned temporarily.", delete_after=0
             )
 
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_tempban_user_not_found(self, ctx, bot):
+        ctx.user = helpers.MockMember(id=1, name="Test User")
+        user = helpers.MockMember(id=2, name="Banned User")
+        bot.get_member_or_user.return_value = None
+
+        cog = ban.BanCog(bot)
+        await cog.tempban.callback(cog, ctx, user, "5d", "Any valid reason", "Some evidence")
+
+        ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+        ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with(f"User {user} not found.")
+
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_tempban_failed_with_wrong_duration(self, ctx, bot, guild):
         ctx.user = helpers.MockMember(id=1, name="Test User")
@@ -102,7 +128,8 @@ async def test_tempban_failed_with_wrong_duration(self, ctx, bot, guild):
             ban_member_mock.assert_called_once_with(
                 bot, ctx.guild, user, "5", "Any valid reason", "Some evidence", ctx.user, needs_approval=True
             )
-            ctx.respond.assert_called_once_with(
+            ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+            ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with(
                 "Malformed duration. Please use duration units, (e.g. 12h, 14d, 5w).", delete_after=15
             )
 
@@ -169,6 +196,11 @@ async def test_warn_success(self, ctx, bot):
 
             # Assertions
             add_infraction_mock.assert_called_once_with(ctx.guild, user, 0, "Any valid reason", ctx.user)
+            ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+            ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with(
+                f"{user.mention} ({user.id}) has been warned with a strike weight of 0.",
+                delete_after=None,
+            )
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_warn_user_not_found(self, ctx, bot):
@@ -180,7 +212,8 @@ async def test_warn_user_not_found(self, ctx, bot):
         await cog.warn.callback(cog, ctx, user, "Any valid reason")
 
         # Assertions
-        ctx.respond.assert_called_once_with(f"User {user} not found.")
+        ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+        ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with(f"User {user} not found.")
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_strike_success(self, ctx, bot):
@@ -198,6 +231,11 @@ async def test_strike_success(self, ctx, bot):
 
             # Assertions
             add_infraction_mock.assert_called_once_with(ctx.guild, user, 10, "Any valid reason", ctx.user)
+            ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+            ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with(
+                f"{user.mention} ({user.id}) has been warned with a strike weight of 10.",
+                delete_after=None,
+            )
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_strike_user_not_found(self, ctx, bot):
@@ -209,7 +247,8 @@ async def test_strike_user_not_found(self, ctx, bot):
         await cog.strike.callback(cog, ctx, user, 10, "Any valid reason")
 
         # Assertions
-        ctx.respond.assert_called_once_with(f"User {user} not found.")
+        ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+        ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with(f"User {user} not found.")
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_remove_infraction_success(self, ctx, bot):
diff --git a/tests/src/cmds/core/test_user.py b/tests/src/cmds/core/test_user.py
index 350de82..92eab40 100644
--- a/tests/src/cmds/core/test_user.py
+++ b/tests/src/cmds/core/test_user.py
@@ -1,11 +1,20 @@
 from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, patch
 
 import pytest
+from discord.errors import Forbidden, HTTPException
 
 from src.cmds.core import user
 from tests import helpers
 
 
+class MockResponse:
+    def __init__(self, status):
+        self.status = status
+        self.reason = "Forbidden"
+        self.code = status
+        self.text = "Cannot send messages to this user"
+
+
 class TestUserCog:
     """Test the `User` cog."""
 
@@ -35,7 +44,8 @@ async def test_kick_success(self, ctx, guild, bot, session):
 
             # Assertions
             ctx.guild.kick.assert_called_once_with(user=user_to_kick, reason="Violation of rules")
-            ctx.respond.assert_called_once_with("User to Kick got the boot!")
+            ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+            ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with("User to Kick got the boot!")
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_kick_fail_user_left(self, ctx, guild, bot, session):
@@ -43,17 +53,119 @@ async def test_kick_fail_user_left(self, ctx, guild, bot, session):
         user_to_kick = helpers.MockMember(id=2, name="User to Kick", bot=False)
         ctx.guild = guild
         ctx.guild.kick = AsyncMock()
-        bot.get_member_or_user = AsyncMock(return_value=None)
+        # Still on Discord but no longer in the guild: User, not Member (None means user not found at all).
+        left_user = helpers.MockUser(id=user_to_kick.id, name="User to Kick")
+        bot.get_member_or_user = AsyncMock(return_value=left_user)
 
-        # Ensure the member_is_staff mock doesn't block execution
         with patch('src.cmds.core.user.member_is_staff', return_value=False):
             cog = user.UserCog(bot)
             await cog.kick.callback(cog, ctx, user_to_kick, "Violation of rules")
 
-            # Assertions
             bot.get_member_or_user.assert_called_once_with(ctx.guild, user_to_kick.id)
-            ctx.guild.kick.assert_not_called()  # No kick should occur
-            ctx.respond.assert_called_once_with("User seems to have already left the server.")
+            ctx.guild.kick.assert_not_called()
+            ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+            ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with("User seems to have already left the server.")
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_kick_fail_user_not_found(self, ctx, guild, bot, session):
+        ctx.user = helpers.MockMember(id=1, name="Test Moderator")
+        user_to_kick = helpers.MockMember(id=2, name="User to Kick", bot=False)
+        ctx.guild = guild
+        ctx.guild.kick = AsyncMock()
+        bot.get_member_or_user = AsyncMock(return_value=None)
+
+        with patch('src.cmds.core.user.member_is_staff', return_value=False):
+            cog = user.UserCog(bot)
+            await cog.kick.callback(cog, ctx, user_to_kick, "Violation of rules")
+
+        bot.get_member_or_user.assert_called_once_with(ctx.guild, user_to_kick.id)
+        ctx.guild.kick.assert_not_called()
+        ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+        ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with(f"User {user_to_kick} not found.")
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_kick_fail_staff_member(self, ctx, guild, bot):
+        ctx.user = helpers.MockMember(id=1, name="Test Moderator")
+        member = helpers.MockMember(id=2, name="Staff Member", bot=False)
+        ctx.guild = guild
+        bot.get_member_or_user = AsyncMock(return_value=member)
+
+        with patch('src.cmds.core.user.member_is_staff', return_value=True):
+            cog = user.UserCog(bot)
+            await cog.kick.callback(cog, ctx, member, "Violation of rules")
+
+        ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+        ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with("You cannot kick another staff member.")
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_kick_fail_bot_member(self, ctx, guild, bot):
+        ctx.user = helpers.MockMember(id=1, name="Test Moderator")
+        member = helpers.MockMember(id=2, name="Bot User", bot=True)
+        ctx.guild = guild
+        bot.get_member_or_user = AsyncMock(return_value=member)
+
+        with patch('src.cmds.core.user.member_is_staff', return_value=False):
+            cog = user.UserCog(bot)
+            await cog.kick.callback(cog, ctx, member, "Violation of rules")
+
+        ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+        ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with("You cannot kick a bot.")
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_kick_fail_self_kick(self, ctx, guild, bot):
+        member = helpers.MockMember(id=1, name="Test Moderator", bot=False)
+        ctx.user = helpers.MockMember(id=1, name="Test Moderator")
+        ctx.guild = guild
+        bot.get_member_or_user = AsyncMock(return_value=member)
+
+        with patch('src.cmds.core.user.member_is_staff', return_value=False):
+            cog = user.UserCog(bot)
+            await cog.kick.callback(cog, ctx, member, "Violation of rules")
+
+        ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+        ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with("You cannot kick yourself.")
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_kick_http_exception_returns_error(self, ctx, guild, bot):
+        ctx.user = helpers.MockMember(id=1, name="Test Moderator")
+        member = helpers.MockMember(id=2, name="User to Kick", bot=False)
+        member.send = AsyncMock(side_effect=HTTPException(response=MockResponse(400), message="Bad request"))
+        ctx.guild = guild
+        ctx.guild.kick = AsyncMock()
+        bot.get_member_or_user = AsyncMock(return_value=member)
+
+        with (
+            patch('src.cmds.core.user.add_infraction', new_callable=AsyncMock),
+            patch('src.cmds.core.user.member_is_staff', return_value=False)
+        ):
+            cog = user.UserCog(bot)
+            await cog.kick.callback(cog, ctx, member, "Violation of rules")
+
+        ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+        ctx.guild.kick.assert_not_called()
+        ctx.followup.send.assert_called_once_with(
+            "Here's a 400 Bad Request for you. Just like when you tried to ask me out, last week.",
+        )
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_kick_forbidden_dm_sends_notice_and_continues(self, ctx, guild, bot):
+        ctx.user = helpers.MockMember(id=1, name="Test Moderator")
+        member = helpers.MockMember(id=2, name="User to Kick", bot=False)
+        member.send = AsyncMock(side_effect=Forbidden(response=MockResponse(403), message="Cannot DM"))
+        ctx.guild = guild
+        ctx.guild.kick = AsyncMock()
+        bot.get_member_or_user = AsyncMock(return_value=member)
+
+        with (
+            patch('src.cmds.core.user.add_infraction', new_callable=AsyncMock),
+            patch('src.cmds.core.user.member_is_staff', return_value=False)
+        ):
+            cog = user.UserCog(bot)
+            await cog.kick.callback(cog, ctx, member, "Violation of rules")
+
+        ctx.defer.assert_awaited_once_with(ephemeral=False)
+        assert ctx.followup.send.await_count == 2
+        ctx.guild.kick.assert_called_once_with(user=member, reason="Violation of rules")
 
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio