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.
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 | Legal with restrictions. Rhode Island General Law 11-47-57 restricts the possession of pepper spray to persons of 18 years of age or more.* |
South Carolina | Legal with restrictions. South Carolina General Law 16-23-470 restricts tear gas canister size to less than 50 cubic centimeters. This does not apply to pepper spray that does not contain tear gas.* |
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.