I personally believe in carrying a concealed handgun at all times; however, there are times when I can’t for either legal or calculated reasons. There are also people who, for whatever reason, desire a means of protection that isn’t a gun.

While there are numerous less-than-lethal ways to protect oneself, I’ve never been a big fan of these devices. I've always felt whistles and personal alarms are more for calling for help than self-defense, while stun guns and most pepper sprays require letting the attacker get too close before deployment.

However, a couple of years ago I found a pepper sprayer that I was willing to give a try—the Kimber Pepper Blaster, which is not an improved spray bottle shooting a pepper mist out to 5 feet or so. The Pepper Blaster fires two charges of a chemical compound at 90 mph out to 13 feet. This gives you an additional 8 feet of room between you and an attacker, which could help you get away. The Pepper Blaster is compact for a pocket or purse, comes with a small pistol grip for improved handling and is completely legal to carry in many situations (check state and local laws).

Kimber also has a larger version called the JPX Jet Protector that delivers two concentrated blasts of irritating chemicals at speeds of 270 mph out to 23 feet, and includes a Picatinny rail for mounting accessories and can be recharged by purchasing additional magazines.

While firearms are the best tools for self-defense, they’re not for everyone. For those who can’t or won’t carry a gun, the Pepper Blaster is a good alternative.