Abstract: A chemical irritant dispensing apparatus for dispensing pepper spray, mace, tear gas or the like, includes a frame having a handle with a cavity and a barrel. The barrel has a bore that is preferably cylindrically shaped, having a central longitudinal axis that defines a line of fire. A chemical irritant fluid containing canister occupies the cavity during use, the canister having an upper end portion with a trigger receptive recess. A trigger pivots upon the frame, the trigger being positioned to dispense the contents of the canister when depressed by a user. The trigger has a stop portion that prevents rotation in a direction that would enable the canister to be removed from the frame. A safety prevents any movement of the canister relative to the frame when in a safety, non-firing position. The safety can be moved to a non-firing position by a user.