I meant to write in on this, but I was behind in episodes and figured somebody had answared it already.
I've actually been trained in the use of pepper balls.
I was a civilian employee of a small police department, and while we were not issued nor were we authorized to use the pepperball guns the sworn officers were issued, we were nonetheless trained in their deployment and use. (emergencies happen)
Simply put, it's a paintball, of a smaller than standard caliber, with a harder shell and shot at a higher velocity than you would find acceptable in a friendly paintball fight.
We had several options in ammo. water filled, oil filled, dye filled, stink filled, and capsaicin powder filled.
capsaicin is the active ingredient in actual pepper spray. Simply put, it's the oil of a hot pepper.
It irritates the membranes of the nose mouth and eyes, washes out with soap and water, and wears off in thirty minutes.
Pepper spray is not to be confused with mace.
The pepper balls were primarily used as tear gas would be used. It's an area denial weapon.
One or more pepperball can contaminate a 15 foot radius area. My department would skip it off the ground, buildings, or signs in order to disperse riotous behavior. Actually hitting a person was a last resort.
I was told that it was not available to civilians.
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper-spray_projectileAnd some brave volunteer getting shot with the stuff. Believe me, the powder gets in the air and is not pleasant to be around.
And yes, during training we would sometimes test new products on each other under controlled conditions.
Not my video, not our department.
