| If you are interested in obtaining a | | | | The primary drawback to pepper spray is that, |
| non-lethal weapon for self-defense, you'll | | | | if you are attacked, you have to be able to |
| probably either consider stun guns or pepper | | | | hit your attacker in the face. That's why |
| spray. Pepper spray is effective because it | | | | many people prefer stun guns. Stun guns work |
| causes the mucous membranes to swell, making | | | | by delivering high voltage and low amperage |
| breathing difficult, and causes the veins in | | | | that disables the attacker for several |
| the eyes to swell, making them close. The | | | | minutes - enough time for you to get away. A |
| effects of pepper spray last about a half | | | | stun gun is effective not because it causes |
| hour, but don't cause any permanent damage. | | | | pain, but because it interferes with the |
| | | | body's own electrical system and temporarily |
| Pepper spray is available in a variety of | | | | disables the attacker's ability to control |
| strengths and in a myriad of containers. | | | | his muscles and nerves. Because people have |
| Pepper spray is usually rated according to | | | | nerves and muscles throughout their bodies, |
| two scales: the percentage of pepper spray | | | | you can disable an attacker by firing a stun |
| contained in the delivery system and the | | | | gun anywhere on his body - a distinct |
| number of Scoville heat units (SHU). Scoville | | | | advantage over pepper spray. |
| heat units, named after chemist Wilbur | | | | |
| Scoville, measures the level of spiciness in | | | | Like pepper spray, there are a variety of |
| peppers. A bell pepper, for example, rates | | | | stun guns on the market that range from |
| zero on the Scoville scale, while a Serrano | | | | 100,000 to 775,000 volts. Also like pepper |
| pepper rates about 10,000 to 20,000 and a | | | | spray, stun guns can be straightforward |
| Habanero chili rates about 100,000 to | | | | models with wrist straps, or hidden to look |
| 300,000. A typical self-defense pepper spray | | | | like cell phones or flashlights. Some stun |
| is rated at 2 million Scoville heat units, | | | | guns also have alarms built in, while others, |
| and is about ten percent pepper spray. | | | | like Talon stun guns, pack a punch in a |
| | | | miniature, four-inch model. If you opt for |
| When selecting a pepper spray, those with a | | | | regular size stun guns, look for those that |
| finer grain are more effective than those | | | | have disable pins on the wrist straps. These |
| with a coarser grain. You should also | | | | stun guns will protect you in the event that |
| consider the effective range of a pepper | | | | your attacker tries to take the stun gun away |
| spray, as well as the number of one-second | | | | from you. When he grabs it, the stun gun |
| bursts it holds. Beyond that, there are a | | | | snaps away from the wrist strap and the |
| variety of canister types from which to | | | | disable pin pulls out, preventing the stun |
| choose. Some pepper spray is held in a | | | | gun from working. |
| holster that snaps shut, while others are | | | | |
| concealed in what appears to be a fountain | | | | When purchasing stun guns, where to buy them |
| pen, a lipstick tube, or a pager. Keep in | | | | is always an issue. As with pepper spray, |
| mind that, while pepper spray is legal in all | | | | different states and jurisdictions have a |
| 50 states, some jurisdictions have | | | | variety of laws, so check those out before |
| restrictions, such as allowing citizens to | | | | you buy. But if it's legal to do so where you |
| only buy pepper spray from licensed firearms | | | | live, there are reputable online dealers that |
| dealers. Check the laws that apply in the | | | | offer wholesale stun guns and discount stun |
| place where you live before purchasing and | | | | guns. The bottom line, of course, is that a |
| using pepper spray. | | | | bargain is great, but your safety is |
| | | | ultimately more important. |