While iPhone users have plenty of options when it comes to cases, Spraytect came up with a unique offering: a pepper spray iPhone case.

Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like. The Spraytect pepper spray case is currently available for iPhone 4 and 4S, and comes with a special loading mechanism and custom canisters that turn the smartphone into a self-defense weapon.

Scott McPherson, the founder of Spraytect, considers the idea is "socially acceptable," describing the case as something his daughter could carry to feel safer while alone in a strange city.

"Most co-eds don't go anywhere without their smartphone, so the optimal solution was to combine her phone and a safety device," McPherson wrote on his company's Web site, referring to his college-bound daughter.

"My daughter would never leave home without her phone. That's when I had this idea of combining her phone with pepper spray."

The pepper spray iPhone case comes with a pepper and test cartridges, and users can also buy refills. The device also has a multi safety mechanism designed to prevent accidental firing. After loading the canister the user has to pull a safety pin, rotate the cap and keep the canister in armed position. The user can then press the button and spray pepper.

Spraytect's Pepper Spray Phone Case is currently available in four colors: black, white, pink, and turquoise. The ingenious case may also become available for other smartphones soon.

The pepper spray employs habanero pepper - "one of the hottest peppers available," notes Spraytect - which is rated at between 150,000 to 425,000 Scoville Heat Units. It may not be the hottest out there, but it's definitely hot enough to do its job right.

"We use what the police force does, TSA, FBI," notes McPherson in a video on the company's Web site. "We actually buy it at the same place that they get it."

The Pepper Spray Phone Case also comes with a non-irritating test cartridge, allowing users to practice their draw, aim, and fire skills without posing any threats.

In addition to its self-defense purpose, the protruding cartridge housing also serves as a kickstand for the smartphone, allowing users to watch movies and video with the phone kept upright, without propping or holding it.

The Pepper Spray Phone Case is available for $39.95 on the Spraytect Web site, at Arizona retail outlets, and from Amazon. Refill cartridges, both pepper and test, cost $17.95 a piece.