Is Pepper Spray Legal?

Pepper spray is not fatal in nature. The hot ingredient in the pepper spray results in inflammation and tearing of the eyes when used on a person. Thus, the person is unable to see and suffers temporary blindness. This gives you enough time to escape from the place of the incident. Pepper sprays are very handy to use because unlike stun guns they do not require battery and switch. They are simple sprays stored in portable canisters. As compared to other self defense products pepper sprays are relatively cheaper.

Self defense is completely permitted by the laws in US and the use of pepper spray is also legal in all the 50 states of United States. As compared to stun guns that are illegal in some states of US, pepper spray is completely legal for the use of self defense.

Although pepper spray causes only temporary damage but government needs to ensure that it does not cause any damage to someone who is innocent. There are some basic rules and regulations related to the sale and purchase of these sprays.

Basic Rules Related To The Use Of Pepper Spray:

• No one under the age of 18 years can buy or possess pepper spray. It can only be used by adults.
• Pepper spray cannot be possessed by a mentally challenged person.
• Pepper spray cannot be used by someone who has history of felony and assault.
• Some states order that the seller of pepper spray should be licensed. For example, in New York the pepper spray can only be sold by licensed dealers, pharmacists or gun dealers. Also, the person who is buying pepper spray should fill in his/her personal details in a form at the seller’s place.
• Many states do not permit the use of pepper spray bought from other states, for example New York and Massachusetts.
• Most of the states have requirements regarding the percentage of OC in pepper spray. For example in the state of Michigan, the OC cannot be more than 2% concentrate. In California, pepper spray cannot come in canister of more that 2.5 ounce.