What you were told was mostly true, but not absolutely true. My brother is a federal law enforcement officer. Two years ago he and two fellow officers emptied their pepper spray on a man who later tested positive for both drugs and alcohol. They completely emptied their mace/capsaicin combo with direct hits to the face. The guy shrugged it off like nothing. They all three reported it had NO apparent effect. It took a TASER to put him down, and even then it was only after multiple rides on the electron train--the guy just kept getting up.
My father-in-law who works for a sheriff's department reported the same thing. He has personally witnessed people unfazed by pepper spray. This "all" or "every" people like to cite is wishful thinking. "Most" is more accurate. Throw in weather like wind, rain, or cold enough that not much skin is exposed, and the odds of pepper spray working diminish.
I've also heard reports of bear spray not always working on bears or on dogs. Don't know why that would be, but it makes sense given that spray is not 100% effective on humans either.
My opinion: spray is for deterrance, firearms are for life-and-death, or grevous-bodily injury situations. Each as a last resort after every effort has been made to evade. But I'm sure glad I have it as an option and can legally defend myself and my family.
Not sure what to make of the "illegal" comment above. I'm licensed to carry in nearly all states. It's not an issue and I'm not sure why someone would intimate that it might be. I avoid the other states.
. You have to wonder exactly what it would take. My vote is for several good hits from 12 ga buckshot. Either that or a head shot.
