February 16, 1995
The University Police Department is offering a pepper spray course that will teach people to use the weapon legally.
The hour-long course will discuss the legal issues surrounding pepper spray. All participants will receive a tear gas license to purchase and use the spray and a canister of pepper spray after taking the course.
State law makes it illegal to use pepper spray without a license. Sgt. Kirk Gaston of the UPD said it is legal to carry pepper spray on campus with a license.
According to Marcus Bartholomew, instructor of the course and a senior majoring in social science and criminal justice at SF State, pepper spray is a tear gas made from the oils of the cayenne pepper plant. Unlike mace which harms only the skin, pepper spray will hurt the respiratory system for up to 45 minutes.
"When the spray hits your face, your eyes slam shut, the spray inflames the mucus membranes and tightens the throat," Bartholomew said.
Some controversy hangs around the spray because of a 1993 American Civil Liberties Union report. According to the report, 14 people have died as a result of being squirted with pepper spray.
Bartholomew said other factors such as the individuals being intoxicated or having respiratory ailments contributed to those deaths when they came in contact with the spray.
Gaston said despite the arguments over pepper spray, UPD will advocate its use as long as they see a demand for it and it is legal.
"The ACLU is a respectable group. If they can change the legislation making pepper spray illegal then we won't advocate it," Gaston said.
Gaston said he has confidence in the course since he and the rest of the UPD force had to take it in order to carry pepper spray on the job. Although he does carry pepper spray, Gaston said he has never had to use it.
During his training for using the disabling gas, Gaston said the officers were able to sample it.
"We sprayed a little bit of it onto our fingertips and it burned. It makes your eyes water," Gaston said.
The aspect about the class that UPD approves of, Gaston said, is that the course teaches how to use pepper spray according to Department of Justice guidelines.
Bartholomew said all pepper spray courses must follow Department of Justice guidelines which teach participants, "the legal, physical and ethical issues surrounding pepper spray."
Besides going over pepper spray laws, Bartholomew said he would show participants how to handle the canister.
Bartholomew said he can vouch for the effectiveness of pepper spray. Once, he said, he kept a dog from attacking him by spraying it with the tear gas.
Pepper spray is also used to ward off grizzly bears, Bartholomew added.
A big advantage pepper spray offers, Bartholomew said, is that it affords a person distance from an attacker.
"It's a less violent weapon. It's better than shooting a person or using a stun gun where you have to get right up to the person," Bartholomew said.
Two courses will be taught in the student center basement on Feb. 22. The courses cost $28.10 and participants must be SF State students or staff members. Registration for the class is at the UPD station. For more information call Personal Defense Options at (415) 584-7377.