CLEVELAND, Dec. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer sales of Mace® pepper guns and defense sprays ~ fast becoming lifestyle accessories ~ grew 63 percent over one year ago.

"We have a strong client base that's concerned about personal safety. Now we're seeing an increase in shoppers ~ just regular folks ~ who are taking additional steps to enhance their peace of mind, like fastening a seatbelt or locking the front door or wearing a bicycle helmet," said John J. McCann, President and CEO of Mace Security International.

"Our security product sales through Amazon.com are up 52 percent from a year ago," he said.

The non-lethal pepper guns and KeyGuard® defense sprays often carried on key chains appeal to urban professionals, college students, joggers and users of mass transit. Security items are selling as Christmas stocking stuffers this year, too.

Richard A. Barone, chairman of the board, wrote shareholders last week that the company has not fully harnessed its potential.

"I am happy to report that we have become the exclusive distributors of pepper spray for accounts such as Kmart, Sears, Ace Hardware, Dicks Sporting Goods, The Sports Authority, Auto Zone and OfficeMax," Barone said. "Additionally, we are hopeful that several additional retailers are close to carrying Mace® Branded products in the near term."

Mace® brand pepper spray also has seen significant growth in sales to agencies designated to protect college campuses, cities, counties, states and state prisons.

"We've seen a 200 percent increase in sales of tactical products," McCann last month, after the company's third quarter earnings release. "Pepper spray is a highly effective tool that law enforcement sees as part of the protocols needed to protect and serve."

Mace now supplies police agencies in Florida, Nevada, California, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota and Iowa.

Mace® brand (OTCPINK: MACE) is a manufacturer and provider of personal defense, safety and electronic security products for home, school, business and law enforcement use. The company provides site assessment and integrated security strategies, ranging from pepper spray devices to electronic surveillance and rapid response rescue networks. Mace® brand has been a source of non-lethal solutions since 1970. Mace® brand pepper guns are sold at www.mace.com.

Contact: Garnett R. Meador, garnett@mace.com or 440-424-5393

SOURCE Mace Security International