pokoko said:
But it is believed that it can lead to complications that result in death. That's the entire reason why some people believe the police should not use it. I haven't even said whether or not I think it should be illegal but, as someone who has been caught in an enclosed space when someone used it while playing around, I have zero problem with it being discussed. It's not a joke. Pepper spray is bad shit that is not to be taken lightly and the potential for abuse is pretty damn high. Imagine someone spraying it in a night club or at a clerk before grabbing their goods and running. The way people have been talking in this thread, you'd think the only possible use is by potential rape victims, which is painfully naive. |
Has it been shown rather than just "believed"? And in what proportion of cases? Usually the deaths by pepper spray are due to individual complications (like a heart condition, asthma, or an allergy.) That is why deaths by pepper spray just aren't that common other than when the police use it on groups of people, which is reasonable to argue against. If somebody wants to kill another person, pepper spray is a crappy option. Which brings me to my next point.
Why don't these things which you imagine can happen (other than the odd occurence ) - happen often in countries in which pepper spray is legal and very easy to get? (Note you used the phrase " the potential for abuse is pretty damn high". How many people die of pepper spray a year? How many by civilians and not police/military? How many people prevent harm to themselves by using (or threatening to use) pepper spray a year? If I were to rob somebody, kill somebody, etc a knife (or in countries which allow them - gun) is a better bet, and the first is much more easily available.
Furthermore, if the concern is that people die from its use, why does Denmark allow police to carry pepper spray? Why especially when most pepper spray deaths are by police hands?
