Laws & Regulations
Pepper Spray
Pepper spray is a common self-defense tool, and its legality varies across the United States. Below is a state-by-state breakdown of pepper spray laws, which include details on age restrictions, carry restrictions, and general regulations.
Keep in mind that local regulations (such as city or county rules) may also impose additional restrictions. This summary provides a general overview, but you should always verify specific local ordinances or consult legal counsel for up-to-date information. The information stated here should be used as a reference only.
Pepper Spray by State: 1. Alabama Legal to possess and use for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools, government buildings, and some public spaces. Must be under 2 ounces in some jurisdictions. 2. Alaska Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Must be under 4 ounces. Some local areas may have additional restrictions. 3. Arizona Legal to possess and carry for self-defense. Restrictions: None statewide; however, some localities may regulate usage in certain public areas. 4. Arkansas Legal to carry for self-defense. Restrictions: Must be used only for self-defense; cannot carry in certain government buildings or schools. 5. California Legal for personal use, self-defense. Restrictions: Must be under 2.5 ounces. Cannot carry in certain locations like schools, government buildings, or airports. 6. Colorado Legal to possess and carry for self-defense. Restrictions: Carrying pepper spray on school grounds is prohibited, and the maximum container size is typically 4 ounces. 7. Connecticut Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Cannot carry in certain public places like schools. Must be for self-defense use only, and the container must not exceed 2 ounces. 8. Delaware Legal to carry for self-defense. Restrictions: The container must not exceed 3 ounces. Pepper spray cannot be used in a threatening manner or for purposes other than self-defense. 9. Florida Legal to possess and carry for self-defense. Restrictions: The maximum container size is 2 ounces. Carrying on school grounds or certain public places is prohibited. 10. Georgia Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Must be under 2 ounces. Prohibited in certain places like government buildings or schools. 11. Hawaii Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Pepper spray must not exceed 3 ounces. It is illegal to carry it with the intent to use as a weapon, and carrying on school grounds is prohibited. 12. Idaho Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: The maximum size is typically 4 ounces, and use in self-defense situations is legal. 13. Illinois Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Pepper spray must be for self-defense and should not exceed 2 ounces. Carrying it on school grounds or in government buildings is prohibited. 14. Indiana Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Pepper spray should be used for self-defense, and the container size is generally capped at 2.5 ounces. Carrying in schools or government buildings is restricted. 15. Iowa Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Pepper spray containers must not exceed 2.5 ounces, and it is prohibited on school grounds. 16. Kansas Legal to possess and carry for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited on school grounds, government buildings, or certain public places. The container size is usually restricted to 4 ounces. 17. Kentucky Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Carrying pepper spray is allowed, but there may be restrictions on carrying in schools or public buildings. Containers must not exceed 4 ounces. 18. Louisiana Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Generally, there are no significant restrictions, though carrying on school grounds or in certain government buildings is prohibited. 19. Maine Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Carrying pepper spray in certain places like schools is prohibited, and the container size is typically limited to 3 ounces. 20. Maryland Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Pepper spray cannot exceed 3 ounces. Prohibited on school grounds and government buildings. 21. Massachusetts Legal to possess and carry for self-defense with restrictions. *Cannot Ship Pepper Spray to MA Restrictions: Only for self-defense; container size is limited to 2 ounces. Carrying it in schools or government buildings is prohibited. 22. Michigan Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Containers cannot exceed 3 ounces. Prohibited on school grounds and certain public places. 23. Minnesota Legal to possess and carry for self-defense. Restrictions: Must not exceed 2 ounces, and use is strictly for self-defense. Carrying on school grounds or certain public buildings is prohibited. 24. Mississippi Legal to carry for self-defense. Restrictions: Generally no restrictions, but carrying in schools or government buildings is prohibited. 25. Missouri Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Carrying in certain public places is prohibited, and container size is typically capped at 2.5 ounces. 26. Montana Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Must be for self-defense, and containers typically cannot exceed 4 ounces. 27. Nebraska Legal to possess and carry for self-defense. Restrictions: The container size is typically limited to 4 ounces. Carrying it in schools or government buildings is prohibited. 28. Nevada Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Maximum container size is usually 3 ounces. Carrying it in schools or government buildings is prohibited. 29. New Hampshire Legal to possess and carry for self-defense. Restrictions: No major restrictions beyond prohibiting use in schools and public places. Carrying in government buildings is prohibited. 30. New Jersey Illegal for civilian use. Exceptions: Law enforcement and certain professionals may carry pepper spray. Civilian possession is restricted to self-defense-only use and requires a permit. 31. New Mexico Legal to possess and carry for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools and government buildings. Containers typically cannot exceed 4 ounces. 32. New York Legal with restrictions. *Cannot Ship to NY. Can only be purchased by certified seller in state. Restrictions: Maximum container size is 2 ounces. Carrying in schools, public buildings, or restricted areas is prohibited. 33. North Carolina Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools and government buildings. Containers are limited to 4 ounces. 34. North Dakota Legal to possess and carry for self-defense. Restrictions: The container size is generally limited to 4 ounces, and use is restricted to self-defense. 35. Ohio Legal to carry for self-defense. Restrictions: Carrying on school grounds and government buildings is prohibited. Pepper spray containers must be under 4 ounces. 36. Oklahoma Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Generally, pepper spray must be for self-defense purposes. Prohibited on school grounds and in government buildings. 37. Oregon Legal to carry for self-defense. Restrictions: The maximum container size is typically 4 ounces, and carrying on school grounds is prohibited. 38. Pennsylvania Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: The container size is usually capped at 3 ounces. Carrying on school grounds is prohibited. 39. Rhode Island Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: The container size is typically limited to 2 ounces. Prohibited on school grounds and in government buildings. 40. South Carolina Legal to carry for self-defense. Restrictions: Must be used for self-defense, and the container size is typically capped at 2 ounces. 41. South Dakota Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited on school grounds, government buildings, and certain other locations. 42. Tennessee Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Maximum container size is 4 ounces. Prohibited in certain public places like schools. 43. Texas Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Pepper spray must be for self-defense. The maximum container size is 2 ounces. 44. Utah Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Containers cannot exceed 4 ounces. Pepper spray is prohibited on school grounds and government buildings. 45. Vermont Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Pepper spray cannot be used in a threatening manner. No significant restrictions beyond school grounds and government buildings. 46. Virginia Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Carrying in schools and government buildings is prohibited. Maximum container size is typically 3 ounces. 47. Washington Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited in certain public places like schools, government buildings, or airports. 48. West Virginia Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Must be for self-defense; prohibited in schools and some public places. 49. Wisconsin Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: The container size is limited to 2 ounces. Carrying on school grounds or in public buildings is prohibited. 50. Wyoming Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Must be for self-defense purposes only. Prohibited in schools and government buildings.
Stun Guns
Refer to the breakdown of stun gun laws in all 50 states, including some general details about their legality and restrictions.
Keep in mind that local regulations (such as city or county rules) may also impose additional restrictions. This summary provides a general overview, but you should always verify specific local ordinances or consult legal counsel for up-to-date information. The information stated here should be used as a reference only.
Stun Guns by State: 1. Alabama Legal for self-defense; no specific permit required. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools and certain public places. 2. Alaska Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Concealed carry may require a permit, but stun guns are generally unrestricted in private settings. 3. Arizona Legal for civilian use. Restrictions: Some limitations in certain places (schools, government buildings). 4. Arkansas Legal to possess and use for self-defense. Restrictions: Cannot carry in restricted areas like schools or government buildings. 5. California Legal to possess and use for self-defense, with restrictions. *Restrictions: Cannot carry in certain areas like schools or government buildings. Background check may be required for purchase. 6. Colorado Legal to own and carry with a permit if concealed. Restrictions: Some local restrictions may apply. Prohibited in certain places like schools. 7. Connecticut Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools, and certain localities may regulate or restrict carry. 8. Delaware Legal with restrictions. Restrictions: Carrying in schools or government buildings is prohibited. 9. Florida Legal to possess and carry for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited in certain public places like schools or government buildings. 10. Georgia Legal for self-defense, no permit required. Restrictions: Cannot carry in sensitive locations like schools or government buildings. 11. Hawaii *Illegal to possess or carry stun guns. Exceptions: Only law enforcement or authorized personnel may use them. 12. Idaho Legal for self-defense with minimal regulation. Restrictions: Some local regulations may apply. 13. Illinois Legal for self-defense with restrictions. Restrictions: Must be at least 18 to own; restricted in schools and other public places. Carrying may require a permit. 14. Indiana Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: May not be carried into schools or government buildings. 15. Iowa Legal for personal use. Restrictions: Prohibited on school grounds and certain public areas. 16. Kansas Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Some restrictions on carrying concealed without a permit. 17. Kentucky Legal for civilian use. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools, government buildings, or other restricted areas. 18. Louisiana Legal to possess and use for self-defense. Restrictions: May not be carried in certain places like schools. 19. Maine Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Cannot carry on school grounds or in certain public buildings. 20. Maryland *Legal with restrictions. Restrictions: Carrying a stun gun may require a permit. Banned in certain locations such as schools. 21. Massachusetts *Legal with restrictions. Restrictions: Only licensed individuals may possess or carry stun guns. Prohibited in schools. 22. Michigan Legal for civilian use. Restrictions: Some local regulations or restrictions may apply. 23. Minnesota Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Cannot carry in restricted areas such as schools or public buildings. 24. Mississippi Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools and other designated areas. 25. Missouri Legal for civilian use. Restrictions: Carrying stun guns in certain public places may be restricted. 26. Montana Legal with few restrictions. Restrictions: May be prohibited in certain public or government buildings. 27. Nebraska Legal for personal use. Restrictions: Stun guns are prohibited in schools or government buildings. 28. Nevada Legal for self-defense, though some cities may have additional rules. Restrictions: Some restrictions on carrying them in specific locations like schools. 29. New Hampshire Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools or public buildings. 30. New Jersey *Illegal to possess or carry stun guns unless you are a licensed security guard. Exceptions: Legal for law enforcement and certain authorized individuals. 31. New Mexico Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Some local ordinances may regulate use or carry. 32. New York *Legal with restrictions. Restrictions: Requires a permit to carry a stun gun in some parts of the state; prohibited in schools and government buildings. 33. North Carolina Legal for civilian use. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools and certain public places. 34. North Dakota Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Restricted in schools and government buildings. 35. Ohio Legal for personal use. Restrictions: Carrying may be prohibited in certain public places. 36. Oklahoma Legal to possess and use for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools and government buildings. 37. Oregon Legal for civilian use. Restrictions: Some local regulations may apply. Prohibited in schools and government buildings. 38. Pennsylvania Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: May be prohibited in certain public areas like schools and government buildings. 39. Rhode Island *Illegal to possess stun guns. Exceptions: Law enforcement or authorized personnel may use them. 40. South Carolina Legal for civilian use. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools and certain public buildings. 41. South Dakota Legal with few restrictions. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools and some government buildings. 42. Tennessee Legal for personal use. Restrictions: Cannot carry in schools or certain other public areas. 43. Texas Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Cannot carry into schools or certain government buildings. 44. Utah Legal to possess and carry stun guns. Restrictions: Carrying concealed may require a permit. Restrictions in certain public places. 45. Vermont Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools or certain other public areas. 46. Virginia Legal for civilian use. Restrictions: Cannot carry in schools or other restricted areas. 47. Washington Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Cannot carry on school grounds or in other sensitive areas. 48. West Virginia Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Some local regulations may apply, but generally, stun guns are unrestricted. 49. Wisconsin Legal with restrictions. Restrictions: Certain local ordinances may regulate possession and carry; prohibited in schools. 50. Wyoming Legal for self-defense. Restrictions: Prohibited in schools and government buildings.