I've seen both on the news and direct reports from people of an increase in trespassing complaints--i.e., people in your yard, back yard, etc. when they are uninvited. This lead me to thing about less-than-lethal options to discourage this. Consider the scenario where someone is in your yard uninvited, won't leave, but isn't attempting a break-in, but may be contemplating this, or a theft, or whatever. Spare us all the nonsense of "i'll shoot them outside and drag them inside" response.

Is a pepperball gun a viable choice for this type of encounter? Or am I completely out in left field?

If so, does anyone have experience with a system/model, etc. that works, and is reliable and available? The police use them, but I don't know if what they have access to is available to civilians. It would seem this is a better way to engage someone than a face to face, close encounter.