[Brian Pfleuger]

No one suggested that pepper spray was or should be the first option in every scenario. I can think of any number of scenarios wherein having nothing but a gun would severely limit your options, possibly leading to a situation that requires lethal force when it could have been avoided if some lesser force option was available. The currently running thread about the man with the restraining order is a good example. Using pepper spray against an unarmed but possibly dangerous person would be quite preferable to putting a bullet in them.

If you would like a gun to be your first and only option, well, have at it. This is America afterall.