Pepper Spray among Neighbors

Pepper spray is meant to be used a personal protection product and does its job well most of the time. Unfortunately, bad guys can get a hold of it and use it as well. Sometimes good people also just make bad decisions.

For example, recently, in Gardner, Illinois a simple discussion turned into a fight that ended up with one man in jail. Benjamin Ray, a 31 year old man inserted himself into a discussion between a land lord and his tenant. The land lord did not particularly like Rays approach or the fact that Ray got into his face.

The landlord, John Moore, punched Ray in the face, hitting him on his chin. In response, Ray used pepper spray which he dispersed in the face of Mr. Moore. Reacting to the pain and in an effort to lessen it led Mr. Moore to move across the street where he used snow to rub the pepper spray off.

For some reason Mr. Ray decided that the pepper spray was not enough. Ray also crossed the street and proceeded to kick Mr. Moore several times. In the end Mr. Ray did not sign a complaint against Mr. Moore.

Pepper spray can be used as a powerful personal protection tool. If you choose to carry it, it is important to remember to use it in a responsible manner. The ability to implement pepper spray is one most people can handle. Obviously, even after being hit on his chin, Mr. Ray was able to use his spray. Mr. Moore most likely never saw it coming. Granted, this particular situation probably could have been resolved without fists or pepper spray flying.