Bear spray is not just pepper spray its a substance which law enforcement and military use is situations that doesnt warrent deadly force. Its whats Called OC (oleoresin capsicum)spray if you have ever been hit by it you will understand that if you have that its enough, but yet I still would carry the gun. OC spray I have been sprayed by. You have to get sprayed before you can carry it. I and a 100 other military guys will tell you this I would rather get kicked in the nuts 10 times before getting sprayed with this stuff ever again. The pepper spray we buy in a store is week compared to the levels of OC in bear spray. The military can carry alot higher of a content of OC then the general public but the bear spray to my knowledge has the same OC content has military OC spray.