Is mace spray legal in the uk

However, some women feel that they must carry a non-lethal weapon such as pepper spray to protect and defend themselves.

Pepper spray, often known as a self-defence spray, is a small device that sprays a powerful substance that is often carried to protect yourself from potential threats. In the UK, unlike the US and many European countries, owning and using pepper spray is illegal and subject to strict laws to ensure safety and prevent misuse. Visitors to the UK are often unaware that pepper sprays are considered a prohibited firearm in law, and it is not uncommon for unwary travellers to be arrested for bringing a prohibited weapon into the country or possessing a spray. BSQ have represented several individuals — typically young female students - who have travelled to the UK from the United States, India and other countries and have been asked by the police to attend interviews under caution after being found with pepper sprays in their possession — see our Case Study below. Pepper spray is classified as a prohibited weapon in the UK under the Firearms Act This means it is illegal to possess, buy, or carry pepper spray in public places without a valid reason contrary to Section 5 1 b of the Firearms Act Pepper sprays are classified under the Act as a weapon capable of the discharge of a noxious liquid, gas or other and are regarded as a prohibited firearm.

Is mace spray legal in the uk

Since the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard, there have been calls for the legalisation of pepper spray in the United Kingdom for self-defence purposes and a petition on Change. However, many people in the UK still do not realise that pepper sprays are covered by the Firearms Act Section 5 1 b of the Act classifies any weapon of whatever description, designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing as a prohibited firearm. Pepper sprays in addition to CS sprays, Mace etc contain substances such as oleoresin capsicum known as OC , desmethyl dihydrocapsaicin known as PAVA and 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile known as CS which cause an irritant effect and are deemed to be noxious by UK law. The European Union does not regulate pepper spray, leaving member countries free to regulate it themselves. Currently Italy, France, Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Serbia and Russia all allow for possession of pepper spray without a licence in some cases limited to over 18s and Switzerland, Germany, Finland and Portugal allow possession, but a licence must be obtained first. This variation in European law can cause confusion amongst both visitors from abroad to the UK and tourists from the UK visiting these countries in Europe, and it is all too easy for an unknowing traveller to bring a prohibited weapon into the country. See Figure 1 below. Figure 1: Farbgel Criminal Identifier Spray reproduced with kind permission from www. Criminal identifier sprays, like Farbgel, discharge a stream of brightly coloured dye that sticks to skin and clothing for up to a week, allowing the easy identification of an attacker after the fact. Others like EveAid contain a powerful but non-noxious odour to act as a deterrent and a hidden UV dye for later identification of the assailant. As these products look like conventional pepper sprays and are designed to discharge a jet of liquid under pressure like a pepper spray , they may be confused for prohibited weapons by law enforcement personnel and, in the past, we have seen such items submitted for forensic testing. In addition to factory produced sprays, there is sometimes confusion over items such as washing up bottles or water pistols filled with noxious liquids. They were therefore not to be considered firearms and instead a charge under the Offensive Weapons Act should have been considered. If you have a prohibited weapons or offensive weapons case that needs a review, please contact us on

Pepper sprays in addition to CS sprays, Mace etc contain substances such as oleoresin capsicum known as OCdesmethyl dihydrocapsaicin known as PAVA and 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile known as CS which cause an irritant effect and are deemed to be noxious by UK law. Police officers were called.

IN the UK pepper spray is commonly associated with policing and is used for crowd and riot control. But what are the laws surrounding its use and what is pepper spray made from? According to the Firearms Act , pepper sprays are classified as prohibited firearms. Its ownership, carry, and use by common citizens is banned under Section 5 1 b of the Firearms Act The classified section 5 weapon is most commonly associated with the police who use what is known as PAVA - a synthetic made pepper spray used as a tactical option by authorities in aggressive situations.

IN the UK pepper spray is commonly associated with policing and is used for crowd and riot control. But what are the laws surrounding its use and what is pepper spray made from? According to the Firearms Act , pepper sprays are classified as prohibited firearms. Its ownership, carry, and use by common citizens is banned under Section 5 1 b of the Firearms Act The classified section 5 weapon is most commonly associated with the police who use what is known as PAVA - a synthetic made pepper spray used as a tactical option by authorities in aggressive situations. It is used as a less lethal weapon in policing, riot control, crowd control, and self defence. The spray is dispensed from a handheld canister and can reach up to four metres - affecting the eyes when sprayed.

Is mace spray legal in the uk

We detected that you're using an older version of Internet Explorer. In police in Denmark sparked anger by warning a teenage girl that she faced prosecution for using pepper spray to fend off a sexual assault near an asylum seekers center. The case has caused outrage on social media. The European Union does not regulate pepper spray , leaving member countries free to regulate it themselves. Pepper sprays containing noxious substances are prohibited in :. In France —trade is license-free and ownership is legal for those over 18 but carry can be punished with a fine depending from the quantity and concentration. In Switzerland, Germany, and Portugal, pepper spray is permitted with a license. However, the process to obtain a license in some countries can be extremely rigorous. However, even in countries where pepper spray may be legal with a license, the use of it against any person generally constitutes assault in the EU. Pepper spray is almost completely banned in the UK.

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It is used as a less lethal weapon in policing, riot control, crowd control, and self defence. According to various reports, pepper sprays in addition to CS sprays, mace, etc contain substances such as oleoresin capsicum known as OC , desmethyl dihydrocapsaicin known as PAVA , and 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile known as CS which cause an irritant effect and are deemed to be noxious by UK law. While pepper spray can be effective for self-defence, this is not considered a valid reason for possession under UK law. If you make sure that someone you want to protect leaves this room and sprays themselves by walking backwards, DO NOT move forward and do not leave the room. However, some women feel that they must carry a non-lethal weapon such as pepper spray to protect and defend themselves. As these products look like conventional pepper sprays and are designed to discharge a jet of liquid under pressure like a pepper spray , they may be confused for prohibited weapons by law enforcement personnel and, in the past, we have seen such items submitted for forensic testing. C was arrested trying to enter a bar. Pepper spray is almost completely banned in the UK. In fact, it is illegal for any member of the public to possess or wear a spray prepper. West Yorkshire Police also state that there are products that squirt a relatively safe, brightly coloured dye as opposed to a pepper spray. Its possession, carrying and use by ordinary citizens is prohibited under section 5 1 b of the Firearms Act Pepper sprays are classified under the Act as a weapon capable of the discharge of a noxious liquid, gas or other and are regarded as a prohibited firearm. To legally possess pepper spray, you must have a lawful purpose, such a professional use. Pepper Spray Laws in the UK: What You Need to Know Pepper spray, often known as a self-defence spray, is a small device that sprays a powerful substance that is often carried to protect yourself from potential threats. Some individuals, like law enforcement officers can carry pepper spray as part of their job.

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The case has led to calls for changes in the law, but these have not yet led to decriminalisation of pepper sprays. Irish Sun. Successive governments have believed for many years that private possession of firearms, including sprays, or other personal protective weapons is likely to lead to an increase in violence. C was arrested trying to enter a bar. Scottish Sun. This spray is specially designed and manufactured to make an attacker reported and easily detectable, using a highly visible red marker dye. To legally possess pepper spray, you must have a lawful purpose, such a professional use. In the wrong hands, items such as pepper spray can be dangerous and cause serious injury. Connect on LinkedIn. But what are the laws surrounding its use and what is pepper spray made from? This law effectively means that carrying or using pepper spray in the UK carries the same penalty as carrying or using a gun.