Pepper Spray Laws & State Restrictions

These are the pepper spray laws we are aware of. However, we do not guarantee that they are up to date, and we are not lawyers.

Pepper spray is legal in all 50 US states, however there are certain laws and restrictions in some states which restrict sizes, strength, and how you obtain them.

We did our best to go through all the pepper spray laws on the books for all US States. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to ascertain the legality of pepper spray in your area before you purchase.

Pepper spray laws

So, what are the pepper spray laws in your state? See below.

State
Is pepper spray legal?
Alabama
Legal. We have searched the Alabama penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry and ship to Alabama.*
Alaska
Legal with restrictions. Section 11.81.900 (b)(20) 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 permission of certain school authorities, unless the person is 21 years of age or older.
Arizona
Legal. We have searched the Arizona penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry and ship to Arizona.*
Arkansas
Legal with restrictions. 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)”, which equals about 5 ounces.
Legal with restrictions. Section 12403-7 restricts the canister size to 2.5 ounces, and must be in aerisol form, no projectiles. Sale to a minor is prohibited.
Colorado
Legal. We have searched the Colorado penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry and ship to Colorado.*
Connecticut
Legal. We have searched the Connecticut penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry and ship to Connecticut.*
Delaware
Legal. We have searched the Delaware penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry and ship to Delaware.*
Florida
Legal with restrictions. Section 790-001 restricts the canister size to 2 ounces.
Georgia
Legal. We have searched the Georgia penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry and ship to Georgia.*
Hawaii
Legal with restrictions. Section 41-37-3 restricts the canister size to 1/2 ounce, and there are licensing requirements. Must be 18 yrs or older.
Idaho
Legal. We have searched the Idaho penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry and ship to Idaho.*
Illinois
Legal. Section 720 ILCS 5/24 allows 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”. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Illinois.*
Indiana
Legal. We have searched the Indiana penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Indiana.*
Iowa
Legal. We have searched the Iowa penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Iowa.*
Kansas
Legal. We have searched the Kansas penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Kansas.*
Kentucky
Legal. We have searched the Kentucky penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Kentucky.*
Louisiana
Legal. We have searched the Louisiana penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Louisiana.*
Maine
Legal. We have searched the Maine penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Maine.*
Maryland
Legal. We have searched the Maryland penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Maryland.*
Massachusetts
Legal with restrictions. Section 122C restricts the sale or possession of pepper spray to anyone less than 18 years old – unless they have a valid firearms ID card. Must be purchased from a licensed firearms dealer in MA. Massachusetts residents can purchase Animal Pepper Spray devices online.
Michigan
Legal with restrictions. Michigan Penal Code 750.224d restricts the size of a pepper spray canister to “not more than 35 grams” (1/2oz), and “not more than 18% oleoresin capsicum.”, or 1.4% MC. See our Michigan Legal Pepper Sprays.
Minnesota
Legal. We have searched the Minnesota penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Minnesota.*
Mississippi
Legal. We have searched the Mississippi penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Mississippi.*
Missouri
Legal. We have searched the Missouri penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Missouri.*
Montana
Legal. We have searched the Montana penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Montana.*
Nebraska
Legal. We have searched the Nebraska penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Nebraska.*
Nevada
Legal with restrictions. Nevada Code NRS 202.370 restricts the size tear gas canister to “not more than 2 fluid ounces”. Pepper spray is exempt.
New Hampshire
Legal. We have searched the New Hampshire penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to New Hampshire.*
New Jersey
Legal with restrictions. New Jersey Code N.J.S.2C:39-5 restricts the size of a pepper spray canister to .75 ounces or less. Must not have been convicted of a felony.
New Mexico
Legal. We have searched the New Mexico penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to New Mexico.*
New York
Legal with restrictions. Section 265.20 of NYS Penal Law restricts the sale or possession of pepper spray to anyone less than 18 years old, and anyone convicted of a felony. Must be purchased from a licensed dealer in NY. New York residents can purchase Animal Pepper Spray devices online.
North Carolina
Legal with restrictions. North Carolina Penal Code Section 14-401.6 restricts the possession of tear gas or pepper spray canisters to less than 150 cubic centimeters, or 5 ounces, and to anyone convicted of a felony.
North Dakota
Legal. We have searched the North Dakota penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to North Dakota.*
Ohio
Legal. We have searched the Ohio penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Ohio.*
Oklahoma
Legal. We have searched the Oklahoma penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Oklahoma.*
Oregon
Legal. We have searched the Oregon penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Oregon.*
Pennsylvania
Legal. We have searched the Pennsylvania penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Pennsylvania.*
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Legal. We have searched the South Dakota penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to South Dakota.*
Tennessee
Legal. We have searched the Tennessee penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Tennessee.*
Texas
Legal. We have searched the Texas penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Texas.*
Utah
Legal. We have searched the Utah penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Utah.*
Utah
Legal. We have searched the Vermont penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Vermont.*
Virginia
Legal. We have searched the Virginia penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Virginia.*
Washington
Legal with restrictions. Washington Code Section RCW 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
Legal. We have searched the West Virginia penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to West Virginia.*
Legal with restrictions. Wisconsin Code Section 941.26 restricts pepper spray canister size to 2oz or less, and limits strength to 10% OC (oleoresin capsicum) or 1.2% MC. Can not have been convicted of a felony. 18 years or older.
Wyoming
Legal. We have searched the Wyoming penal code and have not found any laws that prohibit individuals from carrying or using pepper spray devices. It is legal to buy, use, carry, and ship to Wyoming.*

Pepper Spray is legal in all 50 states, however a number of cities and states have pepper spray laws & restrictions on sizes, strengths, and the way your purchase them, etc.. If you have a question about pepper spray laws in your jurisdiction, it is wise to check with your local city or state attorneys office. Pepper sprays should only be purchased by those 18 years of age or older. The above list may not be totally accurate or complete and Supreme Defense accepts no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.

Animal repellent such as MACE Muzzle Dog Spray and Bear Spray are legal to purchase online and ship in ALL states and is not restricted by any state.

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