Yes and no.
While it (pepper spray) is better than nothing it is not anything upon which I would depend.
When I was in the service I was always amazed at the number of troops that easily 'survived' the CS chamber. Probably in the 5-7% range that the stuff barely affected.
That Taurus a few posts up is "The Judge" it can be loaded with either 45 colt (long colt) or .410 in any combination in the 5 chambers. The 4inch model only weighs 29 oz and it is not expensive, GREAT choice for home / car defense.
I agree 100 percent.
As as I said in my original post, my wife is resistant to firearms. Not for me, but for her. I've been trying for years.
But she's been known to keep our most evil looking butcher knife under the pillow when I've been away on business.
Home and personal defense isn't entirely bound up in firearms. A Ruger .454 Alaskan won't do one a lot of good if it's in the closet, while a 3oz OC spray might be very useful at the front door.
Personally I think "non-lethal" alternatives are a good thing to have around and at hand.