Mace Pepper Gel And Pepper Guard: OC Pepper, UV Dye And Cayenne Peppers

We live in age where criminals can become as famous as movie stars and violence on the TV is commonplace. It seems as if violence has become another media event or cinematic style. But for many of us, violence is simply a fact of life, something we have to deal with, whether we like it or not. But even if violence is stylized and marketed through fast-paced action films and quick-talking detective dramas, it still perturbs many people—as it should. For this reason, Mace pepper gel has become a common item in many purses and pockets. Even if the average person will never be mugged or robbed, Mace pepper gel provides users with a sense of protection.

Mace pepper gel is made from Oleoresin Capsicum, or OC pepper, which is an agent that irritates the eyes and may cause tears, pain, and temporary blindness. The active ingredient in pepper gel is cayenne peppers. In the 1980s', Mace pepper gel or spray was introduced by the U.S. Postal Service as a dog repellent. Eventually it was appropriated by law agencies and finally, by the public as a means of self-defense. If any readers have ever had the displeasure of touching cayenne peppers and then rubbing their eyes, they will know the power of Mace pepper gel.

Mace pepper gel comes in a tiny, handheld metal bottle. If a person is walking down an empty street in the early hours of the morning, the bottle of pepper gel can be easily disguised simply by wrapping a hand around it. Because Mace pepper gel is considered a non-lethal weapon, users don't need to obtain a license to own it, and it can be concealed.

There are a couple of advantages to carrying Mace pepper gel rather than the spray. When released, the gel will cover an entire surface, making it much more effective when sprayed on a potential attacker. The spray tends to fill up a larger area with less density, leaving the user with the slight possibility that the attacker may not be harmed. Also, because the pepper gel releases more of a solid liquid rather than a spray, the potential of harming oneself in close quarters is minimized.

Although Mace pepper gel is non-lethal, users should still handle it and keep it away from children as they would with a firearm. It is also extremely painful and may send its victims to the Emergency Room. Also, if Mace pepper gel is released in close quarters, it may cause severe damage to furnishings and clothes. The moral of this story is: Use it wisely. Mace pepper gel, like other forms of non-lethal weapons, can be incredibly powerful and painful. Although it won't kill its victims, it very well may make them wish that it did.

Some pepper gel brands also contain UV dye. The UV dye is used as a means of identifying attackers after they have fled from the crime scene. UV dye in Mace pepper guard has become an effective means of catching criminals rather than simply harming them. If consumers bought Mace pepper gel brands with UV dye, they would be contributing to the eradication of violent offenders on the streets, rather than simply harming them.

Mace pepper guard is a safe way of protecting oneself from criminals. But it's also a way of providing protection without having to increase the amount of firearms already prevalent in our society. Recent events such as the shooting at Virginia Tech should make gun advocates look at other methods of protecting its citizens. More firearms may simply mean more violent crime. Mace pepper gel is a way to avoid this dangerous cycle and still allow citizens to protect themselves.


Sources:
Proper Use of Pepper Spray. Safe Life Products. 2006. 24 April 2007.
http://safelifeproducts.com/shop/proper_use_of_p epper_spray.htm.
Mace Pepper Gel. Safety Gear HQ. 2006. 24 April 2007. http://www.safetygearhq.com/.
Mace Spray information. RK Defense. 25 April 2007. 25 April 2007.
http://www.rkdefense.com/macesprayinformation.ph p