Pepper Spray vs. Mace?

[Phishfan]

I don't think there is much restriction on the use of pepper spray. I know it is legal in all 50 states. Some places have restrictions in regards to the concentration or size of the container. I would imagine the rules of use would be the same that pertain to any self defense case when you would need to use an additional "weapon". As an FYI, the State of Florida has re-written the laws so that deadly force can be used before an attempt to flee has been tried (that only applies for cases where deadly force is warranted) so I can't imagine the state is very tough on pepper spray.

[bsmooth]

There are restrictions as to when you canuse it i.e. it has to be a legitimate threat and not just someone who pissed you off/creeped you out. Some of these agents are potentially blinding, so if you use it incorrectly or on someone who isn't truly threatening you, then you could face charges of maiming.

[Phishfan]

That should be a given shouldn't it? The same as using any sort of "weapon".

[Buddhagirl]

I was joking. 

I'm just pictuing a woman running down the street wearing a Victoria Secret lace bra.  I imagine she might get more attention than a woman wearing a tee.  Of course I live in Oregon and don't see women in bikinis on a daily basis (so I'm imaining a woman running down the streets of Portland wearing a VS bra).

And I never said anyone deserved to be attacked. 

Good.  Because sadly, some men do think that way.

As far as when it can be used, I would think  if the man grabbed me, I would be in w/in my rights to used it.

My little sister had an issue like this once.  She was waiting for the bus one day, and some guy tried to grab her bicycle. Somehow, she winds up kicking him somewhere in the throat area and hurting the guy.  (She's a black belt in tae kwon do.)

Fortunately, there were a couple of people there to verify that he did try to grab her bike.  The guys defense was that he knew my sister from school and was just kidding.

The cops decided she did use it for personal protection and didn't take her in or anything. 

I would assume that the use of pepper spray or anything else would be the same way.

[Phishfan]

Buddha, it's not just guys that think that way. I swear this is a true story.

I know a couple of gay girls that went fishing off the shore once. One of them had on a sports bra. They were spread out and there was a guy fishing further down. One of them started paying attention to him (the one not in a sprts bra) and noticed he was fondling himself while looking at her girlfriend. She packed everything up and yelled at her girlfriend the whole way home that she was "asking for it".