Whether you’re out for a night on the town or just going for a jog around the block, it’s important to remember that safety should always come first.
That’s why many women carry pepper spray as an added layer of protection in case of an emergency.
But before you purchase your pepper spray, it’s important to make sure that you are familiar with local laws and regulations.
Let’s take a look at pepper spray laws by state.
Who Can Buy and Use Pepper Spray?
In most states, anyone over 18 years of age may purchase and carry pepper spray without any special license or permit.
However, it’s important to note that some states have more stringent requirements. For example, some states do not allow felons to purchase pepper spray.
We’ve compiled a list of specific state laws. It’s best to check your state’s laws prior to purchasing and/or carrying pepper spray.
Pepper Spray Laws By State
Before checking your state’s laws in the list below, it is important to note that these laws may change over time. So it is always a good idea to check with your local authorities or consult a lawyer to get the most up-to-date information on pepper spray laws in your state.
Please note that no matter what state you live in, it is illegal to use pepper spray for any purpose other than self-defense.
Here is a state by state summary of the pepper spray laws:
- Alabama - no restrictions
- Alaska - cannot be sold to minors, and to carry on school property, the user must have permission and be at least 21 years old; cannot be shipped
- Arizona - no restrictions
- Arkansas - no restrictions
- California - pepper spray is legal to carry and use for self-defense, but the canister must not exceed 2.5 ounces (70 grams) and must not contain more than 10% capsaicin and related capsaicinoids.
- Colorado - no restrictions
- Connecticut - pepper spray is legal to carry and use for self-defense with some restrictions. The canister must not exceed 4 fluid ounces (118 milliliters) in volume, and the active ingredient must not exceed 10% oleoresin capsicum (the substance that makes pepper spray hot).
- Delaware - no restrictions
- Florida - no restrictions
- Georgia - no restrictions
- Hawaii - pepper spray is legal to carry and use for self-defense with some restrictions. The canister must not exceed 2% capsaicin and related capsaicinoids (the substance that makes pepper spray hot), and the volume must not exceed 5 ounces (142 grams). It is illegal to sell pepper spray to anyone under the age of 18. Cannot ship.
- Idaho - no restrictions
- Illinois - pepper spray is legal to carry and use for self-defense, but the canister must not exceed 2.5 ounces (70 grams) and must not contain more than 10% capsaicin and related capsaicinoids.
- Indiana - no restrictions
- Iowa - no restrictions
- Kansas - no restrictions
- Kentucky - no restrictions
- Louisiana - no restrictions
- Maine - no restrictions
- Maryland - pepper spray is legal to carry and use for self-defense, but the canister must not exceed 18 ounces (510 grams) and must not contain more than 10% capsaicin and related capsaicinoids.
- Massachusetts - pepper spray is legal to carry and use for self-defense, but the canister must not exceed 2 ounces (56 grams) and must not contain more than 10% capsaicin and related capsaicinoids. Cannot ship.
- Michigan - no restrictions
- Minnesota - pepper spray is legal to carry and use for self-defense with some restrictions. The canister must not exceed 10% oleoresin capsicum (the substance that makes pepper spray hot) and the volume must not exceed 113 grams (4 ounces).
- Mississippi - no restrictions
- Missouri - no restrictions
- Montana - no restrictions
- Nebraska - no restrictions
- Nevada - no restrictions
- New Hampshire - no restrictions
- New Jersey - pepper spray is legal to carry and use for self-defense with some restrictions. The canister must not exceed 10% oleoresin capsicum (the substance that makes pepper spray hot) and the volume must not exceed 113 grams (4 ounces). It is illegal to sell pepper spray to anyone under the age of 18. Only available for purchase within the state; cannot ship.
- New Mexico - no restrictions
- New York - pepper spray is legal to carry and use for self-defense, but the canister must not exceed 2 ounces (56 grams) and must not contain more than 10% capsaicin and related capsaicinoids.
- North Carolina - no restrictions
- North Dakota - no restrictions
- Ohio - no restrictions
- Oklahoma - no restrictions
- Oregon - no restrictions
- Pennsylvania - no restrictions
- Rhode Island - no restrictions
- South Carolina - no restrictions
- South Dakota - no restrictions
- Tennessee - no restrictions
- Texas - no restrictions
- Utah - no restrictions
- Vermont - no restrictions
- Virginia - no restrictions
- Washington - no restrictions
- West Virginia - no restrictions
- Wisconsin - no restrictions
- Wyoming - no restrictions
Pepper spray can provide an extra layer of protection. However, it's important to make sure that you understand your local and federal laws regarding their use before making any purchases.
Each state has its own set of rules and regulations regarding the sale and possession of chemical sprays such as mace and pepper spray. Additionally, all products containing more than two percent tear gas must be labeled “for law enforcement use only” according to federal law.
Familiarizing yourself with these rules will ensure that you stay safe while still staying within legal boundaries.
Pepper Spray Cannot be Shipped to the following states:
Pepper spray is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as a hazardous material. This means there are certain restrictions on shipping it both within the United States and internationally.
Safely keychain pepper spray cannot be shipped to the states in which it is illegal to ship pepper spray.
It is illegal to ship pepper spray to the following states:
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Alaska
- Hawaii
At this time, Safely pepper spray is not available to ship internationally.
Safely Pepper Spray
Carrying pepper spray can help you protect your peace of mind and helps you stay prepared just in case.
Safely pepper spray is pocket sized, has a safety lock, contains UV-Dye to mark an attacker, and contains a maximum strength formula including 10% oleoresin capsicum (OC) and 1.4% capsaicinoids (MC).
Safely pepper spray can spray up to 10 feet and has up to 25 bursts inside each canister. Our pepper spray is lab tested to ensure maximum strength in each canister and has a shelf-life of 4 years.
Is pepper spray legal in your state? Get your keychain pepper spray today by visiting our online shop.