In the world of personal safety, self-defense tools are often the first thing people reach for. But with so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices, especially when time, stress, and risk are working against you.

In today’s newsletter, I’m breaking down two of the most popular tools in the personal protection arsenal: stun guns vs pepper spray. Both are legal in most areas, widely available, and designed for fast deployment — but they couldn’t be more different in function.

The best tool is the one you can access, operate, and rely on under pressure. Let’s take a look at both so you can make the smartest choice for your safety strategy.

THIS vs THAT: The Breakdown

Stun Gun: Up Close Power

Pros:

• Delivers immediate physical impact — this thing hurts

• Packs serious voltage (often 250,000+ volts)

• Reusable and rechargeable — no need for replacement cartridges

• No risk of blowback or cross-contamination

Cons:

• Requires direct contact with the attacker — they’re already too close

• Multiple safety features can slow you down under stress

• May not work on highly intoxicated, pain-tolerant, or drug-influenced attackers

Pepper Spray: Distance + Disruption

Pros:

• Works from a safe distance

• Temporarily blinds attacker — affects eyes, nose, and throat

• Easy to carry, easy to conceal, and quick to deploy under duress

Cons:

• Wind = risk of blowback and self-contamination

• Requires accuracy — a single spray might miss

• May take several seconds to incapacitate an attacker

My Choice?

If I had to choose, I’d pick pepper spray.
Why? Because distance = time (and time = more options to escape)
The more space you put between yourself and a threat, the more power you retain in the encounter.

But here's the real secret: the most powerful self-defense tool isn’t in your hand — it’s in your head.