Whenever I question a woman and ask her what piece of personal defense equipment she would carry if she had a choice, the answer is always different. Some choose pepper spray...Some choose Mace...And some choose a stun gun. Others tell me they "really don't need to carry anything like that"...They have no idea how mistaken they are in today's environment. Every woman needs to carry some form of protection with her at all times...period!
The best way to analyze which choice is the "most correct" for each case is to first explain the pros and the cons of each weapon; and then go from there to match them up to the specific individual. Let's begin...
Pepper spray is a common defensive spray that is inexpensive and easy to use...It is made from hot peppers. The active ingredient is oleoresin capsicum or OC. It causes tearing, intense eye pain and even temporary blindness. It comes in varying strengths and is delivered in a pressurized spray form (usually from a small canister held in the hand). There are stream versions and fog versions; each having a devastating effect on an attacker. It hides easily in a purse or on a keychain and has a simple "point and shoot" delivery. Depending on the size, the number of bursts and the distance it will shoot varies...The pros: Inexpensive, easy to use, easy to conceal and it will bring most attackers to their knees rendering them helpless for an extended period of time...The cons: Limited amount of uses, requires a steady hand and good aim, and you better be upwind!
Stun Guns are the most effective method of defending ones self as far as incapacitating an attacker without a doubt. Just touching the prongs of one of these beauties to an attackers body will deliver anywhere between 350,00 to 1.2 million volts of electricity and knock him or her down for the count. Stun guns are available in a variety of sizes and also a variety of disguises; such as cell phones, pens and even a lipstick! They are simple to use and more suited for hands on combat. The pros: relatively inexpensive, easy to use, comes in a variety of disguised versions and will knock even the biggest and strongest attacker down for at least 10-20 minutes. The cons: Illegal in several states, needs time to recharge after extended use, and you have to be close enough to your attacker to use it on him.
Mace is the final weapon of choice we will explore. Mace is actually the trademark name of a defensive spray made by Mace Security International in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Mace Inc. manufacturers 3 types of defensive sprays...They are Triple Action, PepperGard and Pepper Foam.
Mace Triple Action is a combination of tear gas, UV dye and oleoresin capsicum (OC). This is the strongest formula they make. The UV dye is purple in color. The tear gas and OC combination causes coughing, tearing, temporary blindness and skin irritation. The affects will last up to 90 minutes. The dye aids law enforcement in later identification.
PepperGard (Also known as Pepper Mace) is 10% OC and contains UV dye; but contains no tear gas.
Pepper Foam is the exact same as PepperGard; except it sprays a thick foam instead of spraying in a liquid state. It also contains the UV dye for identification purposes. The pros and cons of Mace are the same as Pepper Spray; except for the fact that the Triple Action Formula will disable an attacker for a much longer time...3 times as long... minimum. And its effects are much more devastating and painful to the attacker.
In conclusion, my opinion as an expert in the personal defense industry is as follows: Every woman should carry a small can of pepper spray with them at all times...no exceptions! If they have a large purse they should carry a 4 oz. can as well...It holds 8 times the amount and shoots almost twice as far. And if it is legal in your state you should without a doubt carry a stun gun as well...You can never be over prepared in today's environment.
States Where Stun Guns Are Restricted:
Indiana (No Tasers), Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Illinois
Cities Where Stun Guns Are Restricted:
Annapolis, Md Baltimore, Md Baltimore County, Md Chicago, Il Dension / Crawford County, Ia District Of Columbia Philadelphia
Any of the other 50 states are legal to possess a stun gun. So if you are a woman in today's world you should be well aware of your surroundings and learn to "people watch"...Carry pepper spray, Mace and / or Stun Guns for your protection whenever possible...Bottom line is it is better to be prepared and never have to use these items than to be in a life or death situation and not have any of them...Think about it...
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