Self defense substances

Is Pepper Spray Legal (United States)?

May 29, 2019September 9, 2019

Before you proceed to purchase or use pepper spray, it is essential that you find out more about its legal status in your state. Failure to do so can land you in trouble. Also, you might want to learn more informative facts about pepper spray.

The legal status of pepper spray in states of US

Carrying and using pepper spray is legal in all the states of the US. However, some states have imposed some restrictions on it with regards to the size of can you may carry, the strength of pepper spray and the age of the person.


In most of the states, these sprays can only be used by people over 18 years of age. However, these laws are often subjected to change. Thus, it is advisable to keep a check on the current state laws to avoid landing in any trouble.

Therefore, contacting your state attorney’s office to get a clear picture might be a good idea.

Laws in some states of the US

Let us take a look at the laws in some of the states of the US. It is legal without any restrictions in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana… 

Pepper spray is legal with some restrictions in Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Michigan, North Carolina…

Down below I have prepared table which will define all pepper spray laws by state in the US. Take a look!

Papper spray laws by state:

AlabamaLEGAL
Alabama pepper spray law
Alaska
LEGAL with restrictions:
User must be over 21 years old to carry pepper spray in school
Alaskas pepper spray law
ArizonaLEGAL
Arizona pepper spray law
ArkansasLEGAL with restrictions: pepper spray canister must be 5 ounces or less
Arkansas pepper spray law
CaliforniaLEGAL with restrictions:
self-defense spray canister cannot exceed 2,5 ounces
California pepper spray law
ColoradoLEGAL
Colorado self-defense laws
ConnecticutLEGAL
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/amd/S/pdf/2015SB-01109-R00SB-AMD.pdf
DelawareLEGAL
Delaware pepper spray law
FloridaLEGAL with restrictions:
pepper spray canister must be 2 ounces or less,
seller need license
Florida pepper spray law
GeorgiaLEGAL
Georgia self defense laws
HawaiiLEGAL with restrictions:
Self-defense spray canister cannot exceed 0,5 ounces,
seller license
Hawaii self defense law
IdahoLEGAL
IllinoisLEGAL
IndianaLEGAL
IowaLEGAL
KansasLEGAL
KentuckyLEGAL
LouisianaLEGAL
MaineLEGAL
MarylandLEGAL
MassachusettsLEGAL with restrictions:
You can only buy it from in-state licensed firearms dealer,
can't ship it through the mail to the state,
you can buy animal repellent online
Massachusetts pepper spray law
MichiganLEGAL with restrictions:
pepper spray canister must be 1,2 ounces or less,
may not contain more than 18% Oleoresin Capsicum or 1.4% Major Capsaicinoid
Michigan pepper spray law
MinnesotaLEGAL
MississippiLEGAL
MissouriLEGAL
MontanaLEGAL
NebraskaLEGAL
NevadaLEGAL with restrictions:
CS tear gas canister must be 2 ounces or less,
no limits on pepper spray
Nevada pepper spray law
New HampshireLEGAL
New JerseyLEGAL with restrictions:
self defense canister must be 0,75 fluid ounces or less
New Jersey self defense law
New MexicoLEGAL
New York
LEGAL with restrictions:
can't ship it through the mail to the state,
you can buy animal repellent online
New York pepper spray law
North CarolinaLEGAL with restrictions:
self defense canister must be 5 ounces or less
North Carolina pepper spray law
North DakotaLEGAL
OhioLEGAL
OklahomaLEGAL
OregonLEGAL
PennsylvaniaLEGAL
Rhode IslandLEGAL
South CarolinaLEGAL
South DakotaLEGAL
TennesseeLEGAL
TexasLEGAL
UtahLEGAL
VermontLEGAL
VirginiaLEGAL
WashingtonLEGAL
West VirginiaLEGAL
WisconsinLEGAL with restrictions:
Self-defense spray canister cannot exceed 2 ounces,
cannot contain more than than 10% oleoresin capsicum or 1.2% major capsaicinoids
Wisconsin pepper spray law
WyomingLEGAL
PEPPER SPRAYREGULATIONS

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