Whether tear gas is used in Egypt or on the streets of Ferguson, Mo., most companies that make it are headquartered in the United States. Business, for the time being, must be booming.

Among the largest manufacturers of tear gas are Defense Technologies of Jacksonville, Fla.; Combined Systems of Jamestown, Pa.; and NonLethal Technologies of Homer, Pa. Two have arsenals of urban weapons that go well beyond tear gas to handcuffs and body armor. They offer one-stop shopping for the local police force, although some of the weapons get used overseas.

Defense Technologies has the broadest set to weapons, which extends from gas to rubber bullets, to gas guns and products that will knock down heavy doors, to coffee mugs.

It describes it chemical weapons:

When crowd resistance elevates, our chemical grenades and projectiles offer maximum coverage both indoor and outdoor. Choices like OC, CN, CS and Smoke in various carriers such as pyrotechnics, powders or liquids provide hand-thrown or launched alternatives for all urban and correctional disturbances.

And other gases:

Defense Technology offers a complete line of aerosol projectors for duty issue or specialized assignment including OC, chemical or blended formulations in either stream, fog or foam delivery systems.

READ MORE: America’s Most Patriotic Brands

Not to be outdone by its competition, Combined Systems makes:

Aerosol projectors and accessories for patrol, tactical, crowd management and correctional officers. CTS Defense Aerosols are first options in spontaneous confrontations and non-compliant individuals encountered during patrol and correctional duty. CTS produces a variety of formulations, unit sizes and delivery methods.

And:

CTS produces a full line of chemical irritant and smoke munitions. The comprehensive line includes grenades, 12gauge, 37mm and 40mm projectiles. These less-lethal options address a wide range of scenarios from assisting tactical teams in displacing or detecting barricaded subjects to aiding riot control units charged with maintaining order in public or correctional environments.

Finally, from NonLethal Technologies:

NonLethal Technologies manufactures a wide range of non-lethal riot and crowd control equipment for military and law enforcement applications. Our product range includes smoke grenades and projectiles, CS and CN irritant smoke grenades and projectiles, impact munitions, defensive aerosol sprays, specialty munitions, and other crowd management and pyrotechnic devices. NLT strives to provide the law enforcement and military with a wide spectrum of products to meet their tactical and crowd management needs. Our companies’ capabilities include all aspects of product design and development, with an experienced staff to assist in choosing or developing the most effective product for the situation. NonLethal Technologies provides a full range of products to allow the most effective level of force to be used for various situations.

More proof that American is the arsenal of democracy.

READ MORE: Companies That Control the World’s Food

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.