A Colorado Democratic House candidate has produced a shocking campaign to promote gun control in which he is seen pepper spraying himself.

Levi Tillemann believes teachers and students in schools should be armed with pepper spray instead of guns to defend themselves against shooters.

To prove his point, he sprayed himself and proclaimed: 'It's incredibly painful, now I can't see anything.

'Wow that's intense.' Afterwards, he washed his eyes with a hose.

The video begins with Democratic candidate Levi Tillemann holding up the spray he is about to use, saying: 'This will save lives'

From off camera, the pepper spray shot up at Tillemann's face as she kept his eyes shut

His face was soon dripping with the stinging, yellow liquid and running into his nose

Earlier in the video, he said: 'I’m calling on Congress to stop talking past each other and try something new.

'Empower schools and teachers with non-lethal self-defense tools, like this can of pepper spray.

'Pepper spray doesn’t cost much and it can be safely stored in a break glass in case of emergency cabinet.

'But it’s powerful and won’t accidentally kill a kid. Trust me, this will stop anybody in their tracks.'

An immigrant mother and her child appear in the footage along with a teacher who both support his cause.

To alleviate the pain, Tillemann dunked his head in a bucket of cold water

He also held a hose up to his face to wash off the residual pepper spray

With his shirt soaked through, Tillemann carried on hosing himself as he remarked on how painful the spray was

The Colorado candidate insisted that the spray would stop any shooter in their tracks

The video, despite being labeled 'this will save lives', failed to hit the mark and was taunted on Twitter by critics.

They accused him of 'idiocracy' and joked sarcastically: 'If there's someone in my classroom with an AK-47, I want a can of pepper spray to protect myself and everyone else in the school.'

Average pepper spray canisters range vary from a four feet to 15 feet. Maximum effectiveness is within 10 feet, but effective range is dependent on type of pepper spray canister delivery method and canister pressure.

Others shared memes of Tillemann hosing himself in the face.

Tillemann previously worked in the Department of Energy under President Obama.

He is a first time candidate and is taking on Rep. Mike Coffman in November.