Should pepper spray be Legal Everywhere?

In South Africa it is not a licensed product and is freely available as an over the counter security product. Generally carried and used by private security officers and armed reaction officers as well as police and members of the public. A best pepper spray projectile is also available also without license. Anyone using pepper spray as anything but a defensive weapon can still be charged with a firearms offense.

In Sweden it is classified as an offensive weapon and possession of best pepper spray requires a license. However, as of 2006, no such license has been issued.In Spain approved pepper spray made with 5% CS is available to anyone over. In the United Kingdom, “Any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing” is classed as a section 5 firearm (Firearms Act 1968).

The same act covers other prohibited weapons such as automatic firearms and rocket launchers, all of which can only be possessed by permission of the Home Secretary. Although legal for police officers, recent debates have arisen whether such a weapon should be legal for civilians as means of defensive purposes only. At present a number of legal alternative dye sprays are sold in the UK which have the effect of temporarily blinding the attacker but do not constitute noxious substances and so do not contravene this act.

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