Zug,09.02.2016

Demand for pepper spray on the increase

A company selling weapons and pepper sprays in Lucerne has noticed how the latter has been particularly in demand by women after the much publicised attacks of a sexual nature on the new year’s eve celebrations in Cologne and elsewhere. Nearer home, last year much publicity surrounded the case of a woman from Emmenbrücke in the neighbouring canton of Lucerne who was pulled from her bicycle and raped.
 
According to this article in the Neue Zuger Zeitung, pepper spray is now very much regarded as the weapon of choice with regard to personal security. These small cans, some of which are no bigger than a fountain pen and hence easily fit into handbags, contain oleoresin capsicum, a substance which causes a sharp burning sensation when sprayed into the eyes, causing any attacker to be temporarily blinded.
 
Kosmas Mutter, the managing director of the Elite Guard company in Hünenberg, mentioned how there has been increased demand for these sprays in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, especially after the afore-mentioned attacks in Cologne. “One reason is that it is extremely effective,” he said, as he added how re-ordering it for his stocks now takes between three and five weeks, whereas before it was obtainable after only three days.
 
So effective are the sprays, which only cost around CHF 20, that Mutter thinks everyone over the age of 18 in Switzerland ought to carry one around with them, as this would give them the feeling of being able to defend themselves more effectively in the event of any attack. He also thinks carrying them could lead to a less violent world, and has never heard of any negative effects of anyone arming themselves with the product. “I know only of one case where a can of it once exploded in our warehouse,” he said.
 
Not that its use is totally without danger. The throat can be affected and swelling may occur. Hence the emergency services should be called if it is noticed breathing becomes difficult.
 
The Zug Police said they are basically not against people using pepper spray to defend themselves, though they recommend people practise with it before using it rather than wait until a potential attack is imminent. For example, as police spokeswoman Judith Aklin explained, the user needs to take note of the direction of the wind before using it, otherwise they risk being temporarily debilitated themselves.
 
Aklin was not able to confirm that more and more ladies of Zug are taking to carrying such cans of pepper spray around with them, though she could well imagine this to be the case. “In the end it is up to the individuals themselves if they want to protect themselves in this way,” she said.