Pepper spray has been the answer to the banning of more potent chemical sprays that were once allowed to the general public. The main reason that pepper spray has gained appeal is the impact the pepper-based extract will have on a person that is hit with it. The capsaicin has a profound impact to mucus membranes and can cause swelling of them and severe irritation. Mucus membranes such as the eyes, nose, mouth, armpits, genitals, and anus can develop severe burning and swelling.

In some rare cases the person had the misfortune of inhaling the spray. This has caused severe irritation to the throat and has endangered people with breathing. With this in mind, some states and countries have either viewed pepper spray weapons as either guns or something that needs to be obtained in a diluted value. The main reason for this is the severe impact that the spray can have on people and the inability to remove the capsaicin once it has been administered.

Some countries have taken these pepper spray weapons to the next level. These more advanced sprays will have mini canisters that are projected over distances and can be obtained by the public. These weapons are usually banned in most countries though, as the pepper spray can be a very effective weapon against any person.

Despite being based on the spicy red peppers, the pepper spray is viewed in many countries as a chemical weapon. This has made these weapons have a higher degree of requirements in obtaining and securing. Some countries have made it where the pepper spray is seen as a weapon that cannot be concealed. This has made some question in having this, as the pepper spray is all too visible to others and can be the focus of a situation.

As a replacement to mace, the pepper spray has proven to be very effective. It has also proven to be a weapon that should be used with a high level of respect as it can have lasting effects on the person that is sprayed. This is yet one more reason that some locations will require that the person under go some manner of training in the use and the impact of pepper spray. Customers have been known to see this as excessive, until they see what can happen to anyone that is hit with any level of dose of pepper spray.