About Using Pepper Spray For Personal Security And Protection

Although the American Civil Liberties Union claims to have documented four cases where the effects of pepper spray were lethal, it's generally believed that all the effects of pepper spray subside after several hours with no long-lasting effects. Still, debates range in the United States and across the world for and against the use of pepper spray, to the point where different areas have varied restrictions concerning the use of the product originally developed to chase off dogs and protect from bear attacks.

In the United States, restrictions on pepper spray vary from state to state, with most states allowing anyone over the age of 18 to carry the product. But there are exceptions. In Washington DC, for example, anyone owning pepper spray must register with DC Metropolitan Police, and in Massachusetts, citizens can only carry a canister with a firearm identification card. New York will only allow the spray to be sold by pharmacists or licensed firearms dealers, and Wisconsin has strict guidelines on the strength each unit has. In Canada, pepper spray is classified as a prohibited weapon, and while it's not illegal to own a canister for protection against dogs and other animals, use of it on a human attacker will most likely result in prosecution.

Pepper Spray is legal for purchase in Russia for anyone over 18 that has a valid passport, but the Aussies and British have reserved it for their police officers' use only. In Latvia, Spain, and Poland, the spray isn't classified as a weapon and can be sold to people under 20. In fact, if you're 16 and live in Latvia, you can have a canister at your disposal. Views vary widely from country to country and so do regulations. Most European countries have banned pepper spray altogether from demonstrations to protect citizens. Germany has a two-tiered system and in that country, one brand of pepper spray is marked for use against animals while the other is classified as a prohibited weapon.