The tear gas products had proven to be virtually ineffective against many violent attackers, especially those under the influence of narcotics and alcohol. Additionally, the tear gas products have a fairly long reaction time of three to thirty seconds. Pepper sprays have a reaction time of one to three seconds, and have been touted as a safe, effective response to attackers. It will work against persons under the influence of narcotics and alcohol. But as we shall see, some of these claims are apparently exaggerated.
Pepper sprays vary considerably in the amount of oleoresin they contain.
Manufacturers tout the percentage of oleoresin in their products and make claims that theirs is best because it contains ten percent oleoresin. The more capsaicinoid content the oleoresin has, the hotter and more effective the spray will be. Pepper sprays quickly became popular with law enforcement agencies after first being introduced in 1977. By 1990, Time magazine reported that the FBI and more than 1000 agencies were using one spray called CapStun. Generally speaking, the sprays used by law enforcement personnel are five times more powerful than those sold to the general public.