Pepper spray
Pepper spray is a self defense tool used to defend oneself against an oncoming attacker. Pepper spray can be bought in many different places in the United States, from common stores to military trades. Different brands of pepper spray have different amounts of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) content and therefore have different strengths.
Pepper spray vs Tear gas
Three primary chemicals are used in the compound structure of self-defense sprays. These three types are CS gas (chlorobenzalmalononitrile), CN (Phenacyl chloride), and OC (Oleoresin Capsicum). CS gas and CN are tear gases. These affect the body through irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and the lungs as well. Tear gases are used by the military most commonly in the form of a grenade in order to spread the gas in a wide area or radius. The last chemical OC is the pepper spray commonly used for both self defense of citizens and riot control by police. Pepper spray is unique from CS gas in the fact that it does not need a voluntary reaction for it to be effective. [1] Many different brands and strengths of pepper spray can be purchased from many places around the United States.
Uses
Pepper spray can be used as a weapon for personal protection against attackers whether they are a human or an animal. Because of its effects on living things, pepper spray is used by almost every police department in the United States. Because of its properties which allow it to impede your attacker without seriously injuring them, the public has widespread use of the spray as well. When sprayed in the face of someone attempting to harm you, the spray should give the user enough time to get away and obtain help from law enforcement officers. Even though pepper spray is most commonly known for protecting people against other thieves and people who may seek to harm you, it is less commonly known that pepper spray can stop animals as well. Because of its irritating properties to the skin and eyes, certain sprays can work on dogs as well as bears. Also, people who have no nerve endings will still potentially be affected by the painful effects of the spray.[1] Because Pepper spray is specifically manufactured as a self defense weapon, it debatably has no other uses asides from defending oneself from people or bears.
Synthesis
OC or Oleoresin Capsicum is a chemical base that can be found in peppers. The compound can be either dissolved in oil or water. Other ingredients may not be stated, but all pepper spray is potentially harmful. Pepper spray is man-made and manufactured. Pepper spray can not be found naturally occurring in nature and must be created through machining.[2]
Effects
Once pepper spray is sprayed into the face, the content will be inhaled by the person who was sprayed. Pepper spray is a very strong inflammatory agent, this means it drastically increases the amount of reaction people experience when they are allergic to something. It will amplify and cause watering of the eyes, lungs, the stomach, and anything the spray comes in contact with. Extreme levels of pain are induced upon the person inflicted with the spray. the immediate effects of pepper spray are as was listed, but long term effects can be different than short term effects. For example, if someone is sprayed too often with pepper spray, irreparable damage can be cause to the cornea of the eye. Because of the effects of pepper spray on the respiratory tract, the lungs can be heavily effected if the person has a medical condition pertaining to breathing. It may become hard to see, and choking can be induced if the pepper spray is inhaled into the lungs.[3]
Pepper spray is a non-lethal substance, but this does not mean that it is not harmful. Very far from the truth, pepper spray is many times hotter than the hottest of chili peppers. This alone leaves a very strong burning sensation to the person afflicted. Depending on the person, undesired or unpredictable affects may be inflicted upon the assailant.
Treatment
If one happens to be pepper sprayed, pain will occur no matter what, however, steps can be taken to lessen the pain. First of all, water should not be applied to the eyes or the face if pepper sprayed since this will spread the pepper spray around the body, enlarging the radius of the affected area. The face should not be rubbed since this will further intensify the chemical. Any contaminated clothing should be removed and the eyes should be washed out with dishwater soap and water mixed together.[3]
It should be made known that no matter what kind of pain tolerance the person has, the pepper spray will still affect the attacker. If severe pain continues, the person should find a doctor or a physician.
Laws
Since pepper spray is potentially harmful, it is crucial that laws are set in place to prevent pepper spray being used in inappropriate situations. Each state has different laws set in place in order to ensure maximum safety to the public and government use. The following are the States and the status of legality herein as posted by Mis Civilian Use.
ALABAMA: Legal.
Section 13A-7-27 involves the criminal use of a noxious substance. There does not appear to be any specific statute involving self-defense sprays.
ALASKA: Legal with restrictions.
Section 11.81.900 (a)(18) 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.
Section 13-3101.7 excludes from the definition of "prohibited weapon" "**any propellant (or) propellant actuated devices ** which are manufactured, imported or distributed for their intended purposes **". There is nothing that appears to regulate or prohibit the lawful use of self-defense sprays of any kind.
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)". Although it hardly seems necessary, there is also a specific prohibition against using and spray against the law enforcement officer. There is nothing, therefore, that appears to prohibit the lawful use of self-defense sprays as the size limitation is much larger than Mace or other brands of defense sprays.
CALIFORNIA: Legal with restrictions.
Subject to certain restrictions, Section 12403.7 of the Penal Code provides "**any person may purchase, possess or use tear gas and tear gas weapons for the projection or release of tear gas if the tear gas and tear gas weapons are used solely for self-defense purposes**". The definition of tear gas also includes pepper spray. The restrictions include a prohibition against selling such a unit to a minor, and a provision limiting the size to 2.5 ounces by weight. The misuse of tear gas in California comes with state penalties of up to a $1000 fine and/or up to three years in prison, not to mention a possible felony conviction on record. Some examples of misuse include; using tear gas on people in anger, spraying it as a joke, possession of tear gas by prohibited persons; minors, drug addicts or persons convicted of felonies. To be legally purchased, possessed or used in California, any canister must have a label that says "WARNING: The use of this substance or device for any purpose other than self-defense is a crime under the law. The contents are dangerous--use with care." The maximum legal net weight for a canister is 2.5 ounces, or 70 grams of OC, CS or CN. CR is not legal for civilian use.
COLORADO: Legal.
CONNECTICUT: Legal.
DELAWARE: Legal with restrictions.
Title 11, Section 222 (7) defines "disabling chemical spray" as including self-defense sprays. However, the only prohibitions concerning such sprays appear to be restricting their possession by minors, and increasing the penalty for criminal use of the sprays, i.e., use of a spray while committing another criminal offense.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Legal with restrictions.
Self-defense sprays are lawful if used or possessed by a person 18 or over "in the exercise of reasonable force in defense of the person or the person's property only if it is propelled from an aerosol container, labeled with or accompanied by clearly written instructions as to its use, and dated to indicate its anticipated useful life." Section 6-2322 et seq. When purchasing such a spray, the buyer must complete a standard registration form, and the vendor must forward the form to the Metropolitan Police Department. Section 6-2324.
FLORIDA: Legal.
"Self-defense chemical sprays" are legal. They are defined as "a device carried solely for purposes of lawful self-defense that is compact in size, designed to be carried on or about the person, and contains not more than two ounces of chemical". Section 790.001. Although it may seem redundant, there is an express prohibition against using chemical sprays against a law enforcement officer. Section 790.054.
GEORGIA: Legal.
HAWAII: Legal with restrictions.
Only OC products are legal for use by or sale to persons 18 and over. There is a ½ ounce size restriction and there are licensing requirements.
IDAHO: Legal.
ILLINOIS: Legal with restrictions.
The 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" is authorized by Section 720 ILCS 5/24-1.
INDIANA: Legal.
IOWA: Legal.
KANSAS: Legal.
KENTUCKY: Legal.
LOUISIANA: Legal.
MAINE: Legal.
The criminal use of chemical mace or a similar substance is a violation of the law. 17 M.R.S. Section 1002. However, the use of such a substance in defending one's person or property is authorized. Id.
MARYLAND: Legal.
Section 36 of the Criminal Code allows any person to carry "pepper mace" as "a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger". There appears to be no provision regarding any other self-defense sprays.
MASSACHUSETTS: Legal with restrictions.
Massachusetts defines ammunition as including "tear gas cartridges, chemical mace, or any other device or instrument which contains or emits a liquid, gas, powder or other substance designed to incapacitate". To sell or possess "ammunition", a license is required. Therefore, the unlicensed sale, or the unlicensed use of self-defense sprays is illegal in Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents may only purchase defense sprays from licensed Firearms Dealers in that state. Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 121, et seq. The licensing authority is the local chief of police or other persons authorized by the locality.
MICHIGAN: Legal with restrictions.
Pepper spray must not be more than 10% and can be used for self defense. "The reasonable use of a self-defense spray or foam device containing not more than 10% oleoresin capsicum no more than 35 grams (1 oz=28.35 grams) by a person in the protection of a person or property under circumstances that would justify the person's use of physical force." Michigan Approved Sprays
MINNESOTA: Legal.
The use of a self-defense spray is permitted "**in the exercise of reasonable force and defense of the person or the person's property only if it is propelled from an aerosol container, labeled with or accompanied by clearly written instructions as to its use, and dated to indicate its anticipated useful life.
"Section 624.731 also contains other provisions relating to use and possession including giving municipalities the power, if they so elect, to license the retail sellers of self-defense sprays.
MISSISSIPPI: Legal.
MISSOURI: Legal.
It is permissible to use or possess a device that ejects a "temporary incapacitating substance". Section 571.010 (8).
MONTANA: Legal.
NEBRASKA: Legal.
NEVADA: Legal with restrictions.
Nevada law prohibits possession of tear gas weapons, except for CS by adult (no minors or felons) with no more than 2 fluid ounces in the form of an aerosol spray "which is designed and intended for use as an instrument of self-defense".
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Legal.
NEW MEXICO: Legal.
NEW JERSEY: Legal with restrictions.
Any non-felon 18 or over may possess for the purpose of self-defense "one pocket-sized device which contains and releases not more than three-quarters of an ounce of chemical substance not ordinarily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury, but rather is intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air". Section 2C:39-6i.
NEW YORK: Legal with restrictions.
The possession of "self-defense sprays" by persons who are not felons or who have been convicted of an assault, 18 or over for the protection of person or property and its otherwise lawful use is legal. "Self-defense spray" is defined as "a pocket sized spray device which contains and releases a chemical or organic substance which is intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air or any like device containing tear gas, pepper spray or similar disabling agent". There are certain labeling requirements. Sales require both a seller's license and the completion by a purchaser of a registration form. New York residents may only purchase defense sprays from licensed Firearms Dealers or licensed Pharmacists in that state. No more than two sprays may be sold at any one time to a single purchaser. Section 265.25 (14) and (15).
NORTH CAROLINA: Legal with restrictions.
Possession and use of self-defense sprays is lawful for non felons so long as the device does not exceed 150 cubic centimeters (150cc). Section 14-401.6.
NORTH DAKOTA: Legal.
OHIO: Legal.
OKLAHOMA: Legal.
OREGON: Legal.
PENNSYLVANIA: Legal.
"Chemical mace" is specifically excluded from the definition of weapons. There appears to be no regulation or restriction on the lawful use of self-defense sprays.
RHODE ISLAND: Legal w/restrictions.
"Any person eighteen (18) years of age or over may carry on his or her person and use, unless otherwise prohibited by law, any non-lethal noxious substance or liquid for his protection or the protection of others". Section 11-47-57.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Legal w/restrictions.
It is lawful to possess a container not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters (50cc) containing tear gas "for self-defense purposes only". Section 16-23-470.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Legal.
TENNESSEE: Legal.
TEXAS: Legal.
It is permissible to possess a "small chemical dispenser sold commercially for personal protection". 10 Texas Penal Code Section 46.01 (14).
UTAH: Legal.
VERMONT: Legal.
VIRGINIA: Legal.
WASHINGTON STATE: Legal with restrictions.
Section 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.
WISCONSIN: Legal with restrictions.
Tear gas is not permissible. A "device or container that contains a combination of oleoresin of capsicum and inert ingredients" is permissible. By regulation, OC products with a maximum OC concentration of 10% and weight range of oleoresin of capsicum and inert ingredients of 15-60 grams is authorized. This is 1/2 oz. and 2 oz. sprays. Further, the product can not be camouflaged, and must have a safety feature designed to prevent accidental discharge. The units may not have an effective range of over 20 feet and must have an effective range of six feet. In addition there are certain labeling and packaging requirements: must state cannot sell to anyone under 18 and the phone number of the manufacturer has to be on the label. The units must also be sold in sealed tamper-proof packages. Wisconsin Statutes Section 941.26 and Justice Regulations 14.01 et seq.
WYOMING: Legal. [4]
Video
Protestors being pepper sprayed
References
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