A personal defense device for projecting a lachrymator agent includes an L-shaped housing, which defines a barrel and a grip. A valve is positioned in the barrel proximate to the grip, which extends from a first end of the barrel. A channel extends from the valve to a second end of the barrel. A cavity extends into the grip and is in fluidic communication with the valve. The grip selectively engages a cannister, which contains a lachrymator agent, that is inserted into the cavity. The cannister is removably engaged to the L-shaped housing and an outlet of the cannister is operationally engaged to the valve. A trigger is engaged to the L-shaped housing and operationally engaged to the valve can be triggered to actuate the valve. The lachrymator agent is dispensed from the cannister through the channel toward a target that is in substantial alignment with the barrel.