POM Pepper Spray: When a Gun Isn't the Answer
- Graham Baates
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
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For as long as I've felt the need to defend myself or others I've wondered about non-lethal and less-lethal alternatives. Lethal force isn't always an option, and there are plenty of instances when lethal force isn't warranted, but something must be done. For example during my early-morning walks in Oregon there are occassionaly homeless drug addicts tweaking about. If one were to approach and harass me lethal force may not be justifiable, but it would be nice to have somthing to give them a time out so I can continue my walk.
When I worked as a defensive shooting instructor the retail location stocked and sold many types of pepper spray. The problem was no one really knew what was good and what wasn't. How far does it spray? How soon does it take effect? What are the legal ramifications? Is there any difference in quality between Brand A and the keychain stuff sold at gas stations? No one knew those answers, let alone how to effectively deploy the stuff.
Fun Fact: Mace and pepper spray are not the same. Mace uses chemicals related to tear gas while pepper spray uses naturally derived oils from hot peppers. Pepper spray is said to be more effective against impared/altered state opponents and tends to cause involuntary eye closure. The mixture used in POM is said to cause involuntary eye closure for up to 45 minutes!
At the Guardian Conference 2023 I finally had the chance to get smart about pepper spray. Chuck Haggard of Agile Tactical offered a pepper spray class that answered all the questions, and gave practical exercises to learn how to deploy it. His recommendation after decades of law enforcement and training experience and trying several types of pepper sprays was POM. Since then I've carried POM with me almost everywhere, and it's good to know that it's the maximum strength allowed. The little Clip model rides nicely in any pocket and can be had for about $12. The video above demonstrates both how to use and how to practice with POM pepper spray.
Options and Characteristics
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Price | ||||
Range | Up to 20' | Up to 18' | Up to 12' | Up to 12' |
Bursts / Seconds | 20+ bursts / 10s | 20+ bursts / 9s | 20 bursts / up to 10s |
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It's nice to have an alternative for when a firearm either isn't an option, or is the wrong option. POM provides that. While I do not consider myself an expert, the video above should get you started in the right direction. For about $50 you can outfit yourself and loved ones as well as familiarize them with how to use it. I'd love to give advice on the legalities, but those vary from location to location, so check your local laws before using.
Learn some tips and watch our practice runs in the video below. Rumble Link