Pepper spray is not illegal in NYC. The places to buy them are limited (specific sellers), the size of the canister is limited (pocket sized only), and the laws around using it are strict (self defense only where physical force would be justified).

In Manhattan for example you can buy pepper spray at certain pharmacies including ESCO in midtown (https://www.escopharmacy.com/).

Legal: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/265.20

While you're right on those accounts, it does have some disadvantages - it tends to fill a room, and has a much higher chance of catching bystanders, so you can't use without any forethought. That being said, you also don't kill them when that happens.

There's also pepper gel, which more accurately disables a target rather than spray: https://www.amazon.com/SABRE-Red-Pepper-Gel-Strength/dp/B004...

Yes. Pepper gel is much nicer to use. At the other extreme, bear spray covers a huge area (and comes in a huge can).

there are many much more troublesome compounds thanpepper spray that come from a store or under a kitchen sink apparantly noone has used this concept yet but what happens when the pepper spray is all gone but there is plenty of glycerin and sodium bisulphate as an example?

found this as well.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a28904691/ho...

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20873675

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oAcT4Duun4

Both are rampant. Laws don't matter when the choice is protecting yourself, or being legal.

NYC's laws regarding self-defense are absolute trash.

Pepper spray is easy to counter.

If a criminal is deciding to commit harm they will be prepared.