Pepper
Spray
Laws and Restrictions
 These
are ones we are aware of. However, we do not guarantee that
they are up to date. Ultimately, it's your responsibility to
ascertain the legality in your area.
STATE LAWS AND
RESTRICTIONS ON PEPPER SPRAYS
States Where Pepper Sprays are
Restricted
(We
cannot ship to these states.)
New York:
New York residents may only
purchase defense sprays from licensed Firearms Dealers or
licensed Pharmacists in that state.
Massachusetts:
Massachusetts residents may only
purchase defense sprays from licensed Firearms Dealers in
that state.
States Where Pepper Sprays Have
Some Restrictions
Michigan:
OC Pepper spray can be no stronger
then a 2% concentrate (Different companies can sell
different concentrations.) CS is the only Tear Gas accepted
and can be no larger then 35 grams per can. No combination
spray allowed.
Wisconsin:
Pepper only. No Tear gas, UV Dye
or combination sprays. OC can be no stronger then a 10%
solution. Can must be between 15-60 grams only. Must have
safety feature.
NOTE:
Pepper Spray is legal in
all 50 states, however a number of cities and states have
restrictions on sizes, strengths, etc.. If you have a
question, it is wise to contact your local police
department. Defense sprays should only be purchased by those
18 years of age or older. Certain other restrictions may
exist in your jurisdiction. The above list is not entirely
exhaustive, but it does represent the kind of restrictions
that exist.
What is Pepper Spray?
OC is a derivative of HOT CAYENNE
PEPPERS and is the newest defensive spray agent. It is not
an irritant like the tear gases, but an inflammatory agent.
Contact with mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat and lungs)
will cause IMMEDIATE dilation of the capillaries of the
eyes, resulting in TEMPORARY BLINDNESS and instant
inflammation of the breathing tube tissues, cutting off ALL
BUT LIFE-SUPPORT BREATHING. OC will not deteriorate with age
and unlike the tear gasses, WILL NOT CAUSE LASTING
AFTEREFFECTS.
Because it is an inflammatory,
rather than an irritant, OC is effective against all those
who feel no pain such as psychotics, drunks and drug
abusers. OC has proven itself to be the ABSOLUTE BEST
DETERRENT available for attacking dogs and wild animal
control. Another major advantage of OC is that it is not
volatile and will not emit a lot of fumes like tear gases.
The term OC (oleoresin capsicum)
is a horticultural term which refers to chili peppers. There
are many different kinds of chili peppers ranging from
jalapenos, chiletpin, and cayenne to habaneros. They all
have one thing in common. They all contain a substance that
is very powerful -- an alkaloid called capsaicin
(cap-say-a-sin). Just a single drop of tasteless and
odorless capsaicin in 100,000 drops of water and the heat
can be noticeable. In fact, capsaicin can be detected by
humans at one part per ten million!
Capsaicinoids are produced by a
gland in the pepper's placenta, which is the top partition
just below the stem. This is also where the seeds are
attached. The placenta is about 16 times stronger than any
other part of the plant, any OC spray worth its salt will
use its active ingredient made from this part.
Back in 1912, a pharmacologist
named Wilbur Scoville came up with the standard for
measuring the power of capsaicin. Called the Scoville
Organoleptic Test, it was needed to calculate the
temperature of peppers used in many pharmaceutical products
of the time (such as "Heat" which was used for the relief of
sore muscles, arthritis pain and muscular sprains). Scoville
measured the ground pepper into a mixture of sugar, water
and alcohol. Then, a panel of five tasters sipped the
mixture and gave it a grade; it took a majority of three to
assign a value.
Today, the value is established
through high technology, a computerized method called
high-performance liquid chromatography. The pepper scale
ranges from zero Scoville unit for a bell pepper to 5,000 or
so for a jalapeno to a whopping 200,000 - 300,000 for a
habanero! Pure capsaicin is 15,000,000. The oleoresin
capsicum used in a superior pepper spray formula is derived
from the hottest peppers and further processed and refined
until the heat rating is 5,300,000 (5.3 million!).
Training on How to Disperse
Pepper Spray
Dispersion methods vary depending
upon the type of strea patterns of the pepper spray unit.
Outlined below are forced cone, broken-stream, fogger and
foam.
Forced cone:
This is a variation on the popular cone type and is the best in most
situations. It is a fine mist that comes out in a forceful
spray pattern usually at distances from 8 to 12 feet. In the
latest generation of dispensing actuators, the mist is made
up of super-fine droplets of pepper solution. These droplets
help to minimize blow-back of pepper formula on you while
the mist (looks like a heavy fog) penetrates the attacker's
skin pores and mucous membranes for an experience they will
not soon forget! This pattern actually spreads out to a
width of approximately 2 feet at its maximum distance. This
pattern covers the whole face and is absorbed into the mucus
membrane with hot pepper causing the eyes to seal with
tears, nose to run, excessive coughing, shortness of breath,
etc.
Broken-Stream:
(and heavy-stream) This type is a
variation on the widely distributed stream type. Very
effective at hitting multiple attackers, hitting them in the
dark, in tight areas, e.g., through your partially opened
car window, and helps with aim. The solid stream (similar to
the water guns sold today) will blast an attacker with
super-hot pepper! Through a partially opened car window you
have minimum misting action that can contaminate you. If you
miss, or the attacker was in a hard- to-reach area, you can
"fan" this spray during discharge. Fanning is a technique
for hitting your mark. You spray the stream then move your
dispersions path from side to side until you hit your mark!
The stream also provides the heaviest blast of pepper (cans
will empty faster). The pepper works instantly. Causes the
eyes to seal with tears, nose to run, excessive coughing,
shortness of breath, etc.
Fogger:
This type of spray pattern is
great for multiple attackers, crowd control, bears and home
use. One disadvantage is there can be some blow-back of
pepper contaminating you, especially if used outdoors.
However, the blast you would receive and the direct blast
the attacker receives are quite different. Where you would
tear and cough on a good sized blow-back, the attacker would
be rendered incapacitated for about 30 minutes. You pull the
trigger or release button, and "fan" your path back and
forth hitting everything in its path. Picture a mini fire
extinguisher! The pepper works instantly. Causes the eyes to
seal with tears, nose to run, excessive coughing, shortness
of breath, etc.
Foam:
This type is excellent for
blow-back protection and immediate saturation. EXAMPLE: If
it is windy, you can spray this with minimum to no pepper
blow-back contaminating you. A common misconception is that
the attacker, once sprayed with the foam can just wiped it
away and continue to attack. This Pepper Foam is like thick,
sticky shaving cream but with one addition... 5.3 million
Scoville Heat Units of blistering hot pepper. He will try to
wipe it off but it will be to late. The pepper works
instantly. Causes the eyes to seal with tears, nose to run,
excessive coughing, shortness of breath, etc.
Pepper Spray Antidote
No one has a quick and 100%
effective neutralizing agent for Capsaicin. Capsaicin is the
chemical agent in peppers (not the seeds) which stimulate
tissue and fake the brain into thinking there is pain. No
doubt the pain is real though!
Milk, baking soda paste and honey
do a good job removing the sting from the fingers and face,
but trace amounts of Capsaicin will remain on the fingers
even after dozens of hand washings.
Advice from a Bio-Chemist at
Michigan State University is to wash the hands in alcohol.
Please be aware that this will only help to a certain
degree.
Ultimately you will need to wait
for the skin to slough off the microbes of Capsaicin.
PEPPER SPRAY, TEAR GAS, MACE,
and THE LAW
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are defense sprays legal?
They are legal in all 50 states,
however a number of cities and states have restrictions on
sizes, strengths, etc.. If you have a question, it is wise
to contact your local police department. Defense sprays
should only be purchased by those 18 years of age or older.
Wisconsin
- 10% Pepper spray without
UV dye is allowed.
Michigan
- 2% Pepper spray allowed. Can be
combined with tear gas formulation.
New
York
- Defense sprays only available
through licensed firearm dealer or pharmacist.
Massachusetts
- Possessor must have a
Firearms Identification Card (FID).
NOTE:
Certain other restrictions may
exist in your jurisdiction. The above list is not entirely
exhaustive, but it does represent the kind of restrictions
that exist. If in question, check local laws.
2. What's the difference
between pepper spray and Mace?
When sprayed in the face, OC
(pepper spray) causes the person's eyes to slam shut,
creates an intense burning sensation and disorients him for
several minutes.
Pepper sprays
come in various concentrations such as 5%, 10% and 17% OC.
The most common is 10% OC with UV (ultra-violet) dye.
MACE
is a registered trade name for the brand of defense sprays
manufactured by Mace Security International. A Mace brand
defense spray either contains OC pepper, tear gas or both.
TEAR GAS
Causes coughing, irritation and watery eyes. The spray
should be aimed at the face of an attacker.
PEPPER FOAM
is a 10% OC pepper formulation with UV dye that sprays in a
thick foam. The foam acts to "blindfold" and disorient an
attacker and cause the same "burning" and closing of the
eyes as traditional liquid pepper sprays. The spray should
be aimed at the face of an attacker.
NOTE: All of our sprays offer an
effective means of humane and non-lethal self defense.
3. What temperatures are safe
for my defense spray?
Excessive heat or cold may cause
the can to leak or burst. Therefore, do not leave your spray
in any area that may exceed 125 degrees F or drop below -15
degrees F.
4. Will the airlines allow
defense spray on an airplane?
Sprays are not allowed in carry-on
luggage or at any time in the passenger area. VERY
IMPORTANT! The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) allows
one spray (up to 4-ounce size) per traveler in your checked
luggage only. Some airlines have restricted the presence of
these sprays entirely. Check your airlines.
11. How effective is defense
spray?
These sprays are effective in most
situations, but not all. If somebody is under the influence
of drugs or alcohol or has special training, i.e. military
or martial arts training he may not be as effected as
others.
10. What does SHU mean?
Scoville heat units (SHU's) is a
term used to measure the 'hotness' of pepper. For example,
one spray might be 500,000 SHU while another is 1,000,000
SHU, which means the pepper is twice as hot.
12. Are defense sprays legal in
other countries?
When dealing with overseas and
shipping defense spray, there are less restrictions on OC
pepper sprays than there are on products containing tear
gas. Many foreign counties have restrictions, and so it is
important to determine those before travelling to foreign
countries. If someone were interested in exporting (or
importing) overseas, the US government requires special
permits and an export license to do so. Important
information for obtaining export clearance are: Department
of Commerce web site www.doc.gov ; US Export Assistance
Center (206) 553-5615; Department of State-Office of Defense
Trade Controls (202) 663-2714; International Trade Institute
(206) 527-3732.
13. Is pepper spray legal?
In most states pepper spray is
legal to possess and carry. You should check with your local
law enforcement office or your states Attorney Generals
office for any regulations your state may have. There are
states where pepper spray is legal but there may be size,
age or OC concentration restrictions. You should check on
these restrictions as well.
14. Is there anyplace where I
cannot carry my pepper spray?
Yes. You cannot carry pepper spray
on board commercial aircraft. This is a Federal crime that
can carry up to a $25,000 dollar fine. It is ok to carry
pepper spray in your checked baggage although it is highly
advisable that you notify the ticketing agent when you check
your baggage. Also since 9/11/01 you may have issues when
carrying pepper spray into secured locations such as a
Federal buildings, State buildings or anyplace where you
pass through a security checkpoint. Although there are no
laws that we are aware of you should use your common sense
here.
15. How does pepper spray work?
Pepper spray's active ingredient
is OC or oleoresin capsicum. The OC is derived from Cayenne
peppers these are some of the hottest peppers in the world.
Unlike MACE or tear gas, which are irritants, pepper spray
OC is an inflammatory agent. Contact with mucous membranes
(eyes, nose, throat and lungs) causes immediate dilation of
the capillaries. This can result in temporary blindness and
instant inflammation of the breathing tube tissues and
systematically cuts of all but life support breathing. OC
also will create an intense burning sensation on the surface
of the skin. However, OC will cause no lasting after
effects. The effects last from 15 to 60 minutes. Because OC
is an inflammatory agent and not an irritant it is effective
on those who feel no pain such as psychotics and those under
the influence of drugs or alcohol.
16. When should I use my pepper
spray?
Although no defense item is 100%
effective in every situation you will need to assess the
situation as it happens. You should ONLY use pepper spray if
you are threatened or your life is in danger. please note
that it IS a crime to use pepper spray to commit malicious
acts.
17. How do I use my pepper spray?
If you have to use your pepper
spray make sure you have distance between you and the threat
if at all possible. Aim the spray at the eyes and facial
region of the threat then release a 1 to 2 second burst of
spray. After you have done this MOVE out of the way but keep
your eyes on the threat. Pepper spray can take a couple of
moments to cause a reaction and by watching the reactions of
the threat you will be able to determine if you will require
another shot of pepper spray. Boxers have a saying "Stick
and Move" well the same applies here. Just remember "Spray
and Move", "Spray and Move". Once the threat is eliminated
seek help and call the police. You may also wish to get a
Tactical Use of Defense Spray Manual. It is loaded with
useful tips on using defense sprays.
18. What is pepper spray made of?
Pepper spray is a derivative of
Cayenne pepper. The oils are extracted from the pepper using
a high-pressure process. This process leaves you with the
active ingredient in pepper spray known as OC or OleoResin
Capsicum. The pure pepper extract is then diluted with an
inert ingredient that reduces the SHU or Scoville Heat Unit
to get it down to a useable SHU for pepper spray. SHU is a
unit of measurement that determines how hot something is the
rating goes from 1 million SHU up to 5 million SHU. 1
million SHU is detectable on the palette in concentrations
as little as 1 part per million or 1 drop of OC in 1 million
drops of water. All of our sprays are 2 million SHU and in
much higher concentrations than 1 part per million.
19. Will my pepper spray expire?
Yes. That is why we print an
expiration date on every can of pepper spray. Usually this
expiration date is 3 to 4 years from the date of purchase.
Although the spray life is indefinite it does start to lose
potency over time. Any use of the spray beyond the
expiration date is HIGHLY unadvisable. We strongly advise
you to replace your pepper spray every year! That way you
are always assured of the potency of the spray.
20. How can I be assured my pepper
spray will work when I need it?
You should get in the habit of
testing your defense spray every 90 days. To do this first
go outside and determine which direction the wind is
blowing. Remember to always stand upwind from the direction
you are spraying. Depress the firing mechanism for ½ second.
This test should be performed upon purchase and every 90
days after that. Be aware that every time you test your
spray you reduce the contents of the canister. If you are
using a key chain model and you test regularly you will need
to replace the unit every 9 to 12 months if you follow the
recommended testing procedure above. See the reference chart
on the back of the packaging for additional information.
Liability
Disclaimer:
Absolutely
no sales to minors under 18 years of age. Due to local and
international laws, Pepper Spray and Stun Guns can NOT
be shipped outside the USA. NO
EXCEPTIONS! It
is the responsibility of the buyer and not the seller (PromarkSafety.com)
to ascertain and obey all applicable federal, state and
local laws in regard to the possession and use of all
products on this site. By placing an order the buyer
represents that he/she is of legal age and that the products
will be used in a legal manner. PromarkSafety.com
cannot assume any liability for the use of these products
and recommend the buyer become familiar with the laws in
their city, state, province, that regulates the use and
possession of these products. Consult your local and state
authority before ordering if you are in doubt. We assume no
responsibility for the use, misuse or any claims arising for
such reason from any of our products.
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