10% Pepper Foam expands when sprayed, covering an assailant'sface, making it difficult to see or breathe. When the attacker attemptsto wipe away the foam, the pepper is ground into the face and eyes.
Everything you ever wanted to know aboutMace Pepper Spray
Mace is a type of tear gas in the form of an aerosol spray whichpropels the tear gas formulation that is mixed with a volatile solvent.This product is sometimes used as a self-defense device by individualsor as a non-lethal method to control suspected criminals by lawenforcement officials.
The original formulation consisted of 1% chloroacetophenone in asolvent of sec-butanol, propylene glycol, cyclohexene, and dipropyleneglycol methyl ether. Most formulations today now also include OleoresinCapsicum, the active ingredient in pepper spray. This ingredient comesfrom a capsicum hot pepper plant.
Mace was originally manufactured under the name “ChemicalMace” by Lake Erie Chemical (a former division ofSmith & Wesson) in 1962, but is now a registered trademark ofMace Security International. The Mace sold today by Mace SecurityInternational is pepper spray rather than tear gas. Many othercompanies now manufacture similar products. “Mace” and “Pepper Spray” arefrequently used interchangeable and they are the same product.
Most law enforcement agencies require that their personnel becomecertified on similar aerosol spray devices such as pepper spray beforeusing them on the field. In some agencies, participants must endure aspray directly to the face and open eyes. Chemically inactive versionsof the spray are also available for training purposes.
The effect of “Mace” or “PepperSpray” is believed to vary somewhat from one person toanother. The most common effect is a burning sensation on the areaaffected with the spray (Victims have been quoted as saying it feelslike “having your face drenched in gasoline and lit onfire”). If in contact with the eyes it causes an automaticclosing of the eyes due to intense pain if one tries to open theireyes. This, along with a feeling of suffocating if inhaled, causes theperson to be very vulnerable and dependent, which makes it much easierfor Law Enforcement Officials to overpower a person suspected ofcommitting a criminal act. Effects can be minimal on those under theinfluence of alcohol or drugs such as amphetamine or cocaine. Theduration of the effects vary from 30 minutes up to 2 hours depending onthe person and the treatment.
Most pepper sprays on the market today contain the active ingredientoleoresin capsicum or OC. You should try to determine that any pepperspray you are considering purchasing for self defense purposes containsOC as one of the active ingredients. The OC is derived from Cayennepeppers. These are some of the hottest peppers in the world. Unlike theoriginal chemical Mace or tear gas, which are irritants, pepper sprayOC is an inflammatory agent. Contact with mucous membranes (eyes, nose,throat and lungs) causes immediate dilation of the capillaries. Thiscan result in temporary blindness and instant inflammation of thebreathing tube tissues and systematically cuts of all but life supportbreathing. OC also will create an intense burning sensation on thesurface of the skin. However, OC will cause no lasting after effects.The effects last from 15 to 60 minutes. Because OC is an inflammatoryagent and not an irritant it is very effective on those who feel nopain such as psychotics and those under the influence of drugs oralcohol.
Is Mace Pepper Spray legal to use?Yes, in general, Mace Pepper Spray is legal to use and carry in all 50states. There are some exceptions, however. For example, any passengeron a commercial airline flight is prohibited from carrying on MacePepper Spray. Mace Pepper Spray is generally classified as a non-lethalweapon and there are certain specific instances when the possession oruse of ANY type of weapon should be restricted in the interest ofpublic safety.
Certain states have there own laws thatprohibit the shipment of Mace Pepper Spray to that state such as:
New York: New York residents may onlypurchase defense sprays including Mace or other brands of pepperspray/tear gas from licensed Firearms Dealers or licensed Pharmacistsin that state.
Massachusetts: Massachusetts residentsmay only purchase defense sprays including Mace or other brands ofpepper spray/tear gas from licensed Firearms Dealers in that state.
These states have specific laws thatrestrict the type of Mace Pepper Spray that can be shipped and used inthese states:
Michigan: OC Pepper spray can be nostronger then a 2% concentrate (Different companies can sell differentconcentrations.) CS is the only Tear Gas accepted and can be no largerthen 35 grams per can. No combination spray allowed.
Wisconsin: Pepper only. No Tear gas,UV Dye or combination sprays. OC can be no stronger then a 10%solution. Can must be between 15-60 grams only. Must have safetyfeature.
When should I use pepper spray?Although no defense item is ever 100% effective in every situation,pepper spray can help you get out of a dangerous situation in a hurryand will offer you some protection when used properly. You should ONLYuse pepper spray if you are physically threatened or your life is indanger. Please note that IT IS A CRIME to use pepperspray to commit malicious acts. There have beensome rare, but serious, cases where individuals have actually diedafter being sprayed with pepper spray. Usually this was a case wherethe pepper spray aggravated some other unknown underlying medicalcondition such as heart disease or breathing problems.
How do I use pepper spray? If you have to use your pepper spray make sure you have distancebetween you and the threat if at all possible. Paycareful attention to the wind direction! You donot want to fire your pepper spray if you feel and kind of wind in yourface. Instead, walk around until your back is to the direction the windis coming from. Aim the spray at the eyes and facial region of thethreat then release a 1 to 2 second burst of spray. After you have donethis MOVE out of the way butkeep your eyes on the threat. Pepper spray can take a couple of momentsto cause a reaction and by watching the reactions of the threat youwill be able to determine if you will require another shot of pepperspray. Boxers have a saying "Stick and Move." Well,the same applies here. Just remember "Spray and Move."
View pepper spray laws. Sorry, no Pepper Spray orders to New York, Massachusetts or out of the USA
Do You Live in New York, Wisconsin or Michigan and Want to Buy Pepper Spray Legally?
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