Here’s a question that keeps a lot of us up at night: What’s the real cost of pulling your gun over a parking spot argument? I’m not talking about the moral weight, though that’s there too. I’m talking about the five or six figures you’ll hand over to attorneys even when you’re completely justified. For those of us on a fixed income, that’s not just a setback. That’s retirement savings, gone.
Let me be clear from the start: this isn’t a paid sponsorship. POM Industries sent me some pepper spray to test, and I’m going to tell you exactly what I found. The good, the limitations, and whether it’s worth your money. I’ve always been straight with you, and that’s not changing today.
This also isn’t about replacing your firearm. It’s about completing your everyday carry system with a tool that gives you more options and, hopefully, a little peace of mind.
The Problem We Don’t Talk About Enough
We’ve all been there. The guy who gets aggressive over a parking spot. The drunk stumbling toward your spouse at a gas station. The loose dog on your morning walk that’s showing teeth. Road rage that escalates from honking to someone getting out of their car.
These are the situations that make up ninety-nine percent of the problems we face. And if your only tool is lethal force, you don’t have many options in those gray moments.
Here’s the hard truth we need to face: even a completely justified shooting can drag you into a legal fight that wipes out everything you’ve worked for. We’re talking $10,000 at the low end, often climbing past $100,000 when civil suits get involved. On top of that financial devastation, there’s the other weight we carry—the moral cost of taking a life. That’s a line you can never uncross. Most of us pray we never have to make that choice.
And let’s talk about something else that doesn’t get mentioned enough: complacency. When you’re in gym shorts taking out the trash, watering the garden, or making a quick run to the store, putting on a belt and holster takes time and effort. That’s exactly when we start making excuses. A good pepper spray fixes that problem. Clip one in your pocket and you’ve got a grab-and-go layer of protection that doesn’t require changing your entire outfit.
Completing the System, Not Compromising It
I want to make something absolutely clear: pepper spray doesn’t replace your firearm. It completes your defensive system by giving you options for situations that don’t justify lethal force. It gives you a way to end a threat without crossing that line we can never uncross.
Think of it like this: you wouldn’t leave the house without your wallet just because you have a credit card. Different situations require different tools. The responsible protector understands that and prepares accordingly.
I’ve been sprayed with OC in the military and again during my police training days. Let me tell you, it hits like a ton of bricks. It’s like burning lava in your eyes, nose, and mouth. Anyone who’s been through it will tell you the same thing—it’s absolutely incapacitating. That’s not theory. That’s personal experience.
What POM Gets Right: An Honest Assessment
After testing several POM models over the past few months, here’s what stood out to me.
The Safety Mechanism Matters More Than You Think
I’ve carried pepper spray for years, and I used to use the sliding safety style. After switching to POM’s spring-loaded flip-top safety, I’m not going back. Here’s why: the flip-top is far less likely to snag in your pocket. With a sliding safety, I was always worried about accidentally catching it on something and ending up with the safety off without realizing it. The flip-top stays secure until you deliberately open it. That’s one less thing to worry about.
Size and Ergonomics: This Actually Matters for Us
This is where we need to be honest about our physical limitations. My dad has arthritis and has had several hand surgeries for bone spurs. I gave him the clip model to try, and he had no trouble operating it. The spring-loaded safety worked fine for him, and he could get a solid grip on the canister.
That said, the smaller models can be tricky if you have limited hand strength or you’re wearing heavy winter gloves. They’re small by design for concealability, but that means less can to hold onto. The keychain model has a quick-release mechanism where you press a button and pull the pieces apart. I’ll be honest—I should have had my dad test that specific feature, but I didn’t. If you have significant hand strength issues, that quick-release might give you trouble.
If that’s your situation, take a hard look at POM’s MK-3. It’s a bit over three ounces compared to the two-ounce standard models, but that extra size gives you more can to grip and better leverage on the safety. Sometimes a little extra weight is worth it for reliability when you need it most.
Performance Specifications: What You’re Actually Getting
The smaller POM models—the clip and keychain versions—are accurate and effective up to twelve feet with a continuous spray of about nine to ten seconds. That’s enough to hit your target, create distance, and get to safety. The MK-3 extends that range to eighteen feet with the same nine to ten second spray duration.
For context on the heat level, a jalapeño pepper runs between 2,500 and 8,000 Scoville units. These POM canisters clock in at 2.2 million Scoville units, which puts them in Carolina Reaper territory. Anyone hit with this is going to be incapacitated. If they’re not, they’re either a robot or so intoxicated that pepper spray wasn’t going to be your answer anyway.
POM sent me several models to test: a keychain model, a clip model, a couple of inert trainers, and the MK-3. All of them are light and genuinely easy to carry. The clip model has become my daily pocket carry. It disappears in my front pocket, and I don’t even notice it’s there until I check for it.
The Limitations: What Pepper Spray Can’t Do
I’d be doing you a disservice if I pretended pepper spray is a magic solution. It’s not. Let’s talk about the real-world limitations.
Legal Considerations You Need to Know
First and most important: pepper spray is not a legal free pass. If you use it irresponsibly or in the wrong circumstance, you can still face criminal charges or a civil lawsuit. Laws vary significantly by state and sometimes even by city. While pepper spray is legal for self-defense in all fifty states, some jurisdictions have restrictions on size, concentration, or where you can carry it.
Before you buy or carry pepper spray, take the time to check your state’s self-defense laws. If you’re uncertain, talk to your local police or sheriff’s department. They can tell you exactly what’s legal in your area. This isn’t about paranoia—it’s about being a responsible carrier who knows the rules.
The other thing to understand is this: pepper spray doesn’t eliminate your legal risk. It dramatically reduces the odds that one heated encounter will cost you six figures in legal fees or time behind bars, but you still need to use it appropriately. It’s a force option, and like any force option, it comes with legal responsibilities.
Tactical and Environmental Limitations
Wind is your enemy. If you’re spraying into a stiff breeze, that spray can blow back toward you or miss your target entirely. You need to be aware of wind direction before you deploy.
Crowds complicate things. In a packed environment, overspray can affect bystanders, which creates both tactical and legal problems. You need a clear line to your target.
Some individuals—particularly those who are highly intoxicated or experiencing certain medical conditions—may have reduced sensitivity to pepper spray. It’s not a guarantee. It’s a tool for buying time to create distance and call for help.
Safe Testing Is Non-Negotiable
When I tested these units, I did all my work outdoors with no people or pets anywhere in the area. I used inert trainers for my practice deployment. I also happen to live near a school, so I was extra cautious about when and where I tested. You should follow the same protocol. Safe handling isn’t just for firearms—it applies to every defensive tool we carry.
Making It Work: Practical Implementation
Here’s how to integrate pepper spray into your everyday carry system without overcomplicating things.
Choose the size based on your hand capability and primary carry method. If you have good hand strength and want maximum concealability, the clip or keychain models work well. If you need a more substantial grip, go with the MK-3. Don’t let ego drive this decision. Pick what you can actually deploy under stress.
Test the safety mechanism before you buy. Make sure you can operate it smoothly with one hand. If it’s awkward or requires two hands, keep looking.
Consider where this fits in your carry rotation. For me, the clip model has become my go-to for situations where I’m not carrying my firearm—quick trips, yard work, casual outings. The MK-3 stays in my vehicle and on my nightstand for home defense scenarios where I want that extended range.
If You Ever Have to Use It
Call 911 immediately after any defensive use of pepper spray. Request medical assistance for anyone who was sprayed, and report what happened. This creates an official record and demonstrates that you acted responsibly. EMS can check on the person who was sprayed, and your call establishes that you weren’t the aggressor. This is critical for your legal protection.
The Deeper Benefit: Peace of Mind
At the end of the day, this is about being a calmer, more capable protector. When you remove sources of anxiety—the financial risk of a lethal encounter, the daily stress of concealment, the fear of a physical attack you can’t adequately respond to—you gain quiet confidence.
A man who’s less anxious is a better husband, father, and grandfather. He’s more present. He’s not constantly running through worst-case scenarios or second-guessing whether he’s prepared. He knows he has options, and that knowledge settles something deep inside.
This aligns perfectly with the gray man philosophy most of us live by. We’re prepared without drawing attention. We’re capable without advertising it. Pepper spray fits that mindset—it’s effective, it’s discreet, and it gives us the flexibility to respond appropriately to the vast majority of threats we’ll actually face.
The Bottom Line
I personally trust the POM models I tested for everyday pocket carry. The clip model rides in my front pocket every day. The MK-3 has earned its place in my vehicle and home defense plan. These aren’t perfect solutions—no tool is—but they’re well-engineered, reliable, and they solve real problems for those of us dealing with the physical realities of aging while maintaining our responsibility as protectors.
If you’re interested in the specific models I tested, I’ve linked them in the description. Take a look and pick the size that fits your hand and your carry system. And remember: this isn’t about replacing what you already carry. It’s about completing your defensive toolkit so you have options when the situation calls for something less than lethal force.
If you’d like more practical gear lessons and long-term carry strategies, visit EverydayGunOwner.com. We’re writing a book right now on realistic everyday carry for the experienced gun owner, and you can join the early access list there.
Let me know in the comments—do you already carry a less-lethal option as part of your EDC? What’s your experience been?
Stay safe, stay smart, and I’ll see you next week.
Ready to add a smart, less-lethal tool to your everyday carry? Good. Not every problem is a nail, and your firearm isn’t your only hammer. For those situations where you need to create distance and an escape route without resorting to lethal force, this is the gear I trust for myself and my family.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about replacing your firearm. This is about adding a crucial layer to your personal protection. Having more tools in your toolbox doesn’t make you less prepared—it makes you smarter and harder to victimize.
► POM Pepper Spray (Pocket Clip Model): https://amzn.to/42gNVN2 Perfect for clipping inside a pocket or waistband for a fast, no-fuss draw.
► POM Pepper Spray (Keychain Model): https://amzn.to/3KtKRqJ. Attaches right to your keys so it’s always with you when you walk out the door.
References
Andrew F. Branca, The Law of Self Defense: The Indispensable Guide to the Armed Citizen, 3rd ed. (Arlington, VA: Law of Self Defense LLC, 2013).
“POM Pepper Spray – Clip Model,” POM Industries, accessed October 8, 2025, https://pompepperspray.com/products/pom-clip-model.
“Pepper Spray Regulations in the United States 2025,” TheGunLaws.com, January 27, 2024, https://thegunlaws.com/pepper-spray-regulations-in-the-united-states/.