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. There is nothing we can legally use that will do this! In the wrong hands, items such as pepper spray can be dangerous and cause serious injury.

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

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.

Telephone Number. Irish Sun. In the wrong hands, items such as pepper spray can be dangerous and cause serious injury.

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.

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Is mace spray legal in the uk

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. Those who come in contact with the spray can experience severe discomfort, pain, and closure. This law effectively means that carrying or using pepper spray in the UK carries the same penalty as carrying or using a gun. A petition was previously created for the UK Government to make it legal to carry non-lethal self defence weapons.

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Read More on Pepper Spray. Figure 1: Farbgel Criminal Identifier Spray reproduced with kind permission from www. 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. However, this closed on September 10, , after only receiving 35, of the required , required signatures. Pepper spray is classified as a prohibited weapon in the UK under the Firearms Act In fact, it is illegal for any member of the public to possess or wear a spray prepper. In summary, these aerosol cans are small, discreet and easy to carry in a pocket or purse. They offer real value for money. The level of service they provide is uncommonly good — A M. See Figure 1 below. Its possession, carrying and use by ordinary citizens is prohibited under section 5 1 b of the Firearms Act Therefore, their possession is prohibited by the Weapons Act.

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.

If you have a prohibited weapons or offensive weapons case that needs a review, please contact us on The case has led to calls for changes in the law, but these have not yet led to decriminalisation of pepper sprays. If an abuser is willing to harm another person during a crime, it would be reasonable to expect that they deserve some form of retaliation in return. Read More on Pepper Spray. 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. 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. In addition to factory produced sprays, there is sometimes confusion over items such as washing up bottles or water pistols filled with noxious liquids. Walking backwards should also be done when you move outside, which means spraying it into your own eyes to stay still, especially with gas is a matter of second before you start feeling it in your eyes gel has a better aim and goes into the air less than gas. Its possession, carrying and use by ordinary citizens is prohibited under section 5 1 b of the Firearms Act Connect on LinkedIn. The best alternative is a personal security alarm, also known as a rape alarm or security device. Consequences of Illegal Possession It is important to respect and understand and respect the law regarding pepper spray in the UK. Its ownership, carry, and use by common citizens is banned under Section 5 1 b of the Firearms Act West Yorkshire Police also state that there are products that squirt a relatively safe, brightly coloured dye as opposed to a pepper spray.