Spraying an unarmed panhandler who is approaching you at a gas pump is asking for trouble on your part. Where I live... this has gotten to be almost "Expected". I live downtown Houston...and on the edge of downtown mear my loft is a Shell station. In fact, if they dont approach me while getting gas, I look around wondering where everyone went.
I drive a BMW, and in that particular area, I must have "I hand out loose pocket change" written all over my forehead. I am guarded, but you also have to have a 6th sense about these things. 99% its just because you may actually give them some money to go buy the 40oz. Colt 45. I just say "Sorry... good luck to you though!" They have in the past always moved on. I have never been hostile, nor have they ever been hostile. <--- to date. Its the 1% that makes me keep on my toes, but in my opinion you can tell and get a sense of real danger when it approaches. Drawing a weapon such as a knife/pepperspray on a bum or panhandler/thug out for loose change can quickly cause a non-issue to esclate very quickly. Some of those people are harmless... until YOU pull a weapon. Then they feel threatened. You could get hit with esclating the situation. Develop your 6th sense, and it will serve you well.