No one is arguing the need to protect oneself....just the method of doing so. nonlethal, temporary solutions like pepper spray carry far less risk of legal repercussion than say battery acid or wasp spray. Its not so much about the need as the method. One choice is a smart solution that will be every bit as effective in the short term as wasp spray or other agents, without the risk of doing permanent harm. When others have stated pepper spray is easily acquired in JA, CHOOSING to use wasp spray and the like just seems like a silly choice. Why utilize a makeshift solution when "purpose-driven" pepper sprays are available. "Welcome to real world"? The "real world" is one where you face charges for permanently disfiguring someone, possibly even if it was alleged they were intent on doing you harm.