Pepper spray gets it's name because the major ingredient is oleoresin capsicum, a semi-sticky liquid derived from resins found in cayenne and other peppers. In short, it's the stuff that burns.

Several varieties of peppers (notably red peppers and chile peppers) also contain capsicum. If you're ever making yourself a paste from the peppers and allow it to sit in a covered jar in your refridgerator overnight, the oil that makes its way to the surface is loaded with capsicum.

The only real difference between police-grade Pepper Spray and the oil atop a homemade pepper-paste is that the oleoresin capsicum has been refined and purified; inert ingredients are removed, propellents are added to give the necessary "oomph" when you depress the trigger.

Have fun in the kitchen with this one, but try to keep it away from the neighborhood children.

Trivia: Capsicum is actually the proper botanical name for the Cayenne Pepper.

is that pepper spray your puting in his eyes?