Mace PepperGun, vs spray or gel...

[Miranda]

http://mace.com/index.php/product/index/id/5

I know that some of you on here carry mace pepper spray with you on rides. I have been thinking about getting some. On the Mace web site, they offer some different options. A dog version, protection spray, protection gel, and this PepperGun (shown in link above).

I have asthma and worry about the risk of cross contamination a bit more than the average user. Don't think it would mix well with the asthma. So, I was thinking the gel might be a better option. Then I saw this PepperGun in link above. I would think if you could aim better, and further, the risk of contaminating yourself would be less? Also, I want the spray for more than dog protection.


Thanks!

[Zen]

I think you've got a good idea there
Pricey but good

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Call me crazy but that thing looks too much like a gun! If you are using it for dogs I would go for the regular squirt one (talk to your postal carrier, they use it!). I am not sure I would want to have something on me that looks like a gun. But then again, if you are pulling it to squirt a human, then maybe that would be enough to scare them off?

I carry bear pepper spray. Not so much for bears, but for people. I figure if it's hefty enough for a bear, it'll work on dogs and people. Plus I have several bottles that I get per year for doing bear aversion training.

Make sure you look into you local carrying laws. In California, I could carry the bear spray with no problem, because we have black bears and mountain lions (I'm not sure it works on them but what else can you do?). Here in Mass, I found out I'm breaking the law by carrying it and I need a permit, even if I switched to the regular dog mace. The black bear and mountain lion plea won't work here

[Chicken Little]

I vote for the bear spray, too. Less likely to be a liability. And a double barrel shot gun is awkward on a road bike. Feasible on a mountain bike, but, awkward otherwise.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If you want to be able to grab your pepper spray in a hurry, you have to strap it where it's easy to grab, you can't have it buckled inside your saddlebag, etc.
No way you could ride around with that GUN in plain view on your bike! People would be calling the police left and left. Not to mention kids trying to grab the 'toy gun' and shoot each other with it.
Yikes.

[Trek420]

When police arrive they might not inquire first if it's a toy. "Is this a toy? Or do we just shoot you?"

If used in self defense situation the perp might see your Peppergun, have a real gun ... and then it's down to who's fastest on the draw and the best shot. Self defense the situational stuff "if he does this I ... but if he does that I ... but if ..." never works. There's always someone faster, stronger, longer reach, more training, just gets a lucky punch ... than you.

There are some general principles that we all can learn but stuff that needs a Powerpoint flow chart of "this is stored there but if that happens then ...." not gonna work.

I don't carry weapons, have no plan to do so. Well ... there is one section of my commute, a bike/ped overpass I used to keep a small and I mean tiny pocket knife inside the back of my left glove.

One of the good things about the gas price increase is now ... that's no longer deserted there are other bike commuters on it. We even got it cleaned!!!

Trust your instincts and your gut, if a situation, place, person feels bad .... leave. I can understand if you ride, hike or work where there are bears etc. But even most bears will leave you alone if you make enough noise I think.

When it comes to people it's better to leave for no explicable reason than stay thinking "well I have ____ somewhere in my zippered jersey pocket"

Or take a self defense class. Here one goes on in my front yard