A pepper spray gun is a useful self-defense weapon for people who may not legally carry a firearm. This is a great tool for people who are afraid to arm themselves with a firearm, but need something effective and quick to stop an attacker. But there are a few factors that you should consider before purchasing a pepper spray gun, including: the effective range of your pepper spray, how fast it can discharge, and what safety features are included.

There are many types of pepper spray guns on the market, some of which offer innovative features such as picture taking and alarm sounding while you spray your target. However, for the most part, these devices look very similar to a traditional pepper spray canister. Most of these self-defense weapons feature a canister that has an aim and discharge trigger, which can be activated with the thumb or index finger. Some have a flip-top safety and others have a side-slide safety. A recent study used a 2 x 2 randomized block design to manipulate both of these device designs, as well as the starting location (purse or pocket) and the trigger finger (index or thumb). The results indicate that the side-slide pepper spray device was preferred by participants for its ease of use, speed to deactivate and fire, and overall response time. The trigger finger and pepper spray type also had an impact on the overall accuracy of aim and firing.

Depending on the pepper spray, some models contain visible or invisible dyes, which can help police officers find and arrest your attacker. Some of the most effective pepper sprays have a maximum range of up to 18 feet. This means that you can keep some distance between you and your assailant, which will make it more difficult for them to follow you once they are incapacitated by the spray.

However, it is important to remember that the effectiveness of defensive sprays is limited and will diminish over time. The average canister of pepper spray will only last two years before losing its effectiveness. Additionally, it is important to practice using your pepper spray to familiarize yourself with its operation and to ensure that you are comfortable using it in a real-world situation.

The main concern with defensive sprays is that they can actually enrage your assailant and escalate the situation. Criminals who have been sprayed before know to expect it, which can cause them to ignore the effect or attack through it. Additionally, pepper spray can get into a person’s eyes, which can blind them temporarily and limit their ability to perceive the surroundings. This can be a significant disadvantage if you are in close proximity with an assailant, or even if they are only a few feet away from you. As such, it is imperative that you remain calm and only use your defensive spray when absolutely necessary. If you must, be sure to stay in a safe place and call for police as soon as possible.