Most pepper spray sold on the commercial market is pretty weak compared to that sold for law enforcement. It's not referred to as "pepper spray" but "OC" spray...oleoresin capsicum...the active ingredient. OC spray is far stronger and intense...but I don't know the difference between it and bear spray. There must be a difference in the formula and container size. Most OC spray used in law enforcement is fairly small and light for belt carry along with all the other stuff an officer carries.