Pepper Spray State Laws and Restrictions

We ship pepper spray within the continental U.S. only. We do not ship pepper spray to Hawaii, Alaska & Puerto Rico. We do not ship pepper spray to Canada, Mexico & all other foreign countries.

Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states. However, possession and/or use may be regulated or prohibited by law in some jurisdictions. It is your responsibility to check with your local law enforcement department for specific laws related to the possession and use of pepper spray in your city or county before purchasing pepper spray.

Click here to view and print the most current Pepper Spray State Laws listed below.

Alabama Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Alabama.

Section 13A-7-27 involves the criminal use of a noxious substance. There does not appear to be any specific statute involving self-defense sprays.

Alaska Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restriction:

Age Restriction: Must be 18+; Must be 21+ to carry on school property

Section 11.81.900 (a)(18) defines “defensive weapon” as “***a device to dispense Mace or a similar chemical agent, that is not designed to cause death or serious physical injury”. Section 11.61.210 (a)(6) prohibits the sale of a defensive weapon to a person under 18 years of age. Such a defensive weapon cannot be possessed in a school without the permission of certain school authorities, unless the person is 21 years of age or older.

Arizona Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Arizona. 

Section 13-3101.7 excludes from the definition of “prohibited weapon” “**any propellant (or) propellant actuated devices ** which are manufactured, imported, or distributed for their intended purposes **”. There is nothing that appears to regulate or prohibit the lawful use of self-defense sprays of any kind.

Arkansas Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restriction:

Size Restriction: Size cannot exceed 5.07 fluid ounces.

Section 5-73-124 makes the possession of tear gas or pepper spray illegal. However, it is legal to possess “**a small container of tear gas or pepper spray to be used for self-defense purposes only, but the capacity of the cartridge or container shall not exceed one hundred fifty cubic centimeters (150cc)”. Although it hardly seems necessary, there is also a specific prohibition against using pepper spray against a law enforcement officer. There is nothing, therefore, that prohibits the lawful use of self-defense sprays as the size limitation is much larger than Pepper Defense or other brands of defense sprays.

California Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal with the following restrictions:

Age Restriction: Must be 18+

Size Restriction: size cannot exceed 2.5 fluid ounces

Subject to certain restrictions, Section 12403.7 of the Penal Code provides “**any person may purchase, possess or use tear gas and tear gas weapons for the projection or release of tear gas if the tear gas and tear gas weapons are used solely for self-defense purposes**”. The definition of tear gas also includes pepper spray. The restrictions include a prohibition against selling such a unit to a minor, and a provision limiting the size to 2.5 ounces by weight. The misuse of tear gas in California comes with state penalties of up to a $1000 fine and/or up to three years in prison, not to mention a possible felony conviction on record. Some examples of misuse include using tear gas on people in anger, spraying it as a joke, possession of tear gas by prohibited persons; minors, drug addicts or persons convicted of felonies. To be legally purchased, possessed, or used in California, any canister must have a label that says “WARNING: The use of this substance or device for any purpose other than self-defense is a crime under the law. The contents are dangerous–use with care.” The maximum legal net weight for a canister is 2.5 ounces, or 70 grams of OC, CS or CN. CR is not legal for civilian use.

Colorado Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Colorado.

Connecticut Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper Spray is legal in Connecticut.

Delaware Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restriction:

Age Restriction: Must be 18+

Title 11, Section 222 (7) defines “disabling chemical spray” as including self-defense sprays. However, the only prohibitions concerning such sprays appear to be restricting their possession by minors, and increasing the penalty for criminal use of the sprays, i.e., use of a spray while committing another criminal offense.

District of Columbia Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restriction:

Age Restriction: Must be 18+

Self-defense sprays are lawful if used or possessed by a person 18 or over “in the exercise of reasonable force in defense of the person or the person’s property only if it is propelled from an aerosol container, labeled with or accompanied by clearly written instructions as to its use, and dated to indicate its anticipated useful life.” Section 6-2322 et seq. When purchasing such a spray, the buyer must complete a standard registration form, and the vendor must forward the form to the Metropolitan Police Department. Section 6-2324.

Florida Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restriction:

Size Restriction: pepper spray cannot exceed 2 fluid ounces. 

“Self-defense chemical sprays” are legal. They are defined as “a device carried solely for purposes of lawful self-defense that is compact in size, designed to be carried on or about the person, and contains not more than two ounces of chemical”. Section 790.001. Although it may seem redundant, there is an express prohibition against using chemical sprays against a law enforcement officer. Section 790.054.

Georgia Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Georgia

Hawaii Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restrictions:

Sales Restriction: Must be licensed to sell in Honolulu (Honolulu ordinance § Sec. 41-37.2).

Age Restriction: Must be 18+

Size Restriction: Pepper spray cannot exceed 1/2 oz. 

Only OC products are legal for use by or sale to persons 18 and over. There is a ½ ounce size restriction and there are licensing requirements.

Idaho Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Idaho

Illinois Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restrictions:

Age Restriction: Must be 18+

The use of a product containing a non-lethal noxious liquid gas or substance designed solely for personal defense carried by a person 18 years of age or older” is authorized by Section 720 ILCS 5/24-1.

Indiana Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Indiana.

Iowa Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Iowa.

Kansas Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Kansas.

Kentucky Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Kentucky.

Louisiana Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Louisiana.

Maine Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Maine.

17 M.R.S. Section 1002. The use of such a substance in defending one’s person or property is authorized. 

Maryland Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restriction:

Age Restriction: Must be 18+

Section 36 of the Criminal Code allows any person to carry “pepper mace” as “a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger”. There appears to be no provision regarding any other self-defense sprays.

Massachusetts Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restrictions:

Age Restriction: Ages 15-18 must obtain a firearms ID card to purchase pepper spray or gel.

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Governor Patrick signed an updated gun law, and one result will give people an increased opportunity to protect themselves without resorting to firearms.

The new law eases restrictions on adults who want to carry pepper spray. Massachusetts residents over the age of 18, can now purchase and carry pepper spray without first having to obtain a firearms identification card.

Michigan Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restriction:

Size Restriction: Pepper sprays and gels cannot contain more than 35g of orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) and inert ingredients. They, also, cannot contain more than 10% of oleoresin capsicum (OC).

Pepper spray must not be more than 10% and can be used for self-defense. “The reasonable use of a self-defense spray or foam device containing not more than 10% oleoresin capsicum no more than 35 grams (1 oz=28.35 grams) by a person in the protection of a person or property under circumstances that would justify the person’s use of physical force.

MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT)

Act 328 of 1931

750.224d Self-defense spray or foam device.

Sec. 224d. (1) As used in this section and section 224, “self-defense spray or foam device” means a device to which all the following apply:

(a) The device is capable of carrying, and ejects, releases, or emits 1 of the following:

(i) Not more than 35 grams of any combination of orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile and inert ingredients.

(ii) A solution containing not more than 10% oleoresin capsicum.

Minnesota Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Minnesota

The use of a self-defense spray is permitted “**in the exercise of reasonable force and defense of the person or the person’s property only if it is propelled from an aerosol container, labeled with or accompanied by clearly written instructions as to its use, and dated to indicate its anticipated useful life.

“Section 624.731 also contains other provisions relating to use and possession including giving municipalities the power, if they so elect, to license the retail sellers of self-defense sprays.

Mississippi Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Mississippi.

Missouri Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Missouri.

It is permissible to use or possess a device that ejects a “temporary incapacitating substance”. Section 571.010 (8).

Montana Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Montana.

Nebraska Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Nebraska

Nevada Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restrictions:

Age Restriction: Must be 18+

Size Restriction: Pepper sprays and gels containing CS tear gas cannot exceed more than 2 oz.

Nevada law prohibits possession of tear gas weapons, except for CS by adult (no minors or felons) with no more than 2 fluid ounces in the form of an aerosol spray “which is designed and intended for use as an instrument of self-defense”.

New Hampshire Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in New Hampshire

New Mexico Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in New Mexico

New Jersey Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restrictions:

Age Restriction: Must be 18+

Size Restriction: Size cannot exceed 0.75 fluid ounces

Any non-felon 18 or over may possess for the purpose of self-defense “one pocket-sized device which contains and releases not more than three-quarters of an ounce of chemical substance not ordinarily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury, but rather is intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air”. Section 2C:39-6i.

New York Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restrictions:

Sales Restriction: Pepper sprays and gels must be purchased in person at a pharmacy or firearm retailer. There is a maximum of two sprays per purchase.

Shipping Restriction: Illegal to ship pepper spray to New York

The possession of “self-defense sprays” by persons who are not felons or who have been convicted of an assault, 18 or over for the protection of person or property and its otherwise lawful use is legal. “Self-defense spray” is defined as “a pocket sized spray device which contains and releases a chemical or organic substance which is intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air or any like device containing tear gas, pepper spray or similar disabling agent”. There are certain labeling requirements. Sales require both a seller’s license and the completion by a purchaser of a registration form. New York residents may only purchase defense sprays from licensed Firearms Dealers or licensed Pharmacists in that state. No more than two sprays may be sold at any one time to a single purchaser. Section 265.25 (14) and (15).

North Carolina Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restrictions:

Size Restriction: Size cannot exceed 5.07 fluid ounces

Possession and use of self-defense sprays is lawful for non felons so long as the device does not exceed 150 cubic centimeters (150cc). Section 14-401.6.

North Dakota Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in North Dakota.

Ohio Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Ohio

Oklahoma Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Oklahoma.

Oregon Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Oregon.

Pennsylvania Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Pennsylvania

“Chemical mace” is specifically excluded from the definition of weapons. There appears to be no regulation or restriction on the lawful use of self-defense sprays.

Rhode Island Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restrictions:

Age Restriction: Must be 18+

“Any person eighteen (18) years of age or over may carry on his or her person and use, unless otherwise prohibited by law, any non-lethal noxious substance or liquid for his protection or the protection of others”. Section 11-47-57.

South Carolina Pepper Spray Laws

Legal w/restrictions.

It is lawful to possess a container not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters (50cc) containing tear gas “for self-defense purposes only”. Section 16-23-470.

South Dakota Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in South Dakota

Tennessee Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Tennessee

Texas Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Texas.

It is permissible to possess a “small chemical dispenser sold commercially for personal protection”. 10 Texas Penal Code Section 46.01 (14).

Utah Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Utah.

Vermont Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Vermont.

Virginia Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Virginia

Washington Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with the following restriction:

Age Restriction: Must be 18+; 14+ with parent or guardian’s permission

Section 9.91.160 explicitly authorizes the sale and use of “personal protection spray devices” such as “mace, pepper mace, or pepper gas”. There is an age restriction to persons age 18 and older, or 14 with a parent or guardian’s permission.

West Virginia Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper Spray is legal in West Virginia.

Wisconsin Pepper Spray Laws

Legal with restrictions.

Wisconsin only allows legitimate pepper spray to be carried by civilians; OC sprays only, not CN or CS tear gas, or any OC plus tear gas blends.

The legal amount of pepper spray a civilian may carry on or about their person for self-defense is 2 oz. or less.

No pepper spray container may be disguised as something other than what it is; your pepper spray container cannot look like a lipstick tube, pen, or anything else. This might be problematic if cons…

Felons may not own any pepper spray without an official pardon.

Wyoming Pepper Spray Laws

Pepper spray is legal in Wyoming.

Please be sure to check your local laws to determine the legality of carrying Pepper Defense and Pepper Enforcement pepper spray in your area. Consumers are responsible for understanding the local and state laws concerning the purchase and use of Personal Safety Corporation’s pepper spray products.

It is the sole responsibility of the buyer to understand local laws concerning the purchase and use of pepper spray products. The buyer agrees to such laws and further agrees that these products are not intended for illegal use. Personal Safety Corporation is not responsible for misrepresentation by the buyer, nor the misuse of any product purchased in this offering. By submitting an order to PepperDefense.com, the buyer states that they are 18 years of age, understands local laws governing the purchase and use of these products, and agrees to all terms and conditions of this transaction. No warranties are implied or expressed.

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