In the year 2009 there were 1,318,398 violent crimes reported in the United States of America. Of those crimes 88,097 of them were forcible rape and 806,843 of them were aggravated assault. These are simply staggering numbers to think about! There is more reason now, than ever before, to keep yourself protected at all times. With so many different choices out there, I want to break down the top 3 most effective non lethal self defense weapons on the market right now. Now, I don't just want you to read this and forget about it, take action and get yourself armed!

Probably the most well known non lethal self defense weapon available is pepper spray. It is used by women, men, and police officers alike. It has been a well documented and highly effective means of protection for many years now, but what exactly is it? Pepper spray is a chemical compound with the active ingredient being capsaicin. Capsaicin is the same chemical that you will find in chili peppers. Pepper spray is an inflammatory with effects ranging from difficulty breathing to runny nose to swelling and burning of the eyes. This can give you the opportunity that you need to flee your attacker.

Closely associated with pepper spray is a product called mace. Mace is actually the aerosol form of a tear gas. Mace is still used by law enforcement to this day in crowd and riot control. This form of the gas has been made illegal in many countries, but is still legal in the United States.

Another highly effective self defense weapon is the taser gun or stun gun. A taser is a weapon that uses an electrical current to stun an attacker. Tasers were initially developed for law enforcement officers to use as a non lethal alternative to their gun, but now are used the world over as a means of self defense. The shock delivered from a taser causes an individual to lose control of his muscles and to have spasms. Tasers have proven that they can be used to bring down even the largest, most violent individuals. Nowadays tasers come in so many shapes and sizes that it is possible to conceal them in purses or even jacket pockets. Some tasers have even been shown to be able to shock a person through up to 2 inches of thick clothing!

These are definitively not your only means of self defense to choose from, but they are some of the most effective. Choosing a self defense weapon does not have to be a hard decision, but it should be an educated one. I hope that I have shed some light on some of the most effective self defense weapons. You don't have to be a victim. Sometimes taking a simple precautionary measure can save your life!