Pepper Spray Laws and Restrictions by State

The following six states have outlined specific restrictions and laws of purchasing traditional pepper sprays. Animal repellents (bear sprays and dog sprays) for protection against vicious dogs and wild bears can be shipped to all 48 contiguous states.

New York Pepper Spray Laws:

Animal repellents, including dog and bear pepper sprays, can be legally sold and shipped through online retailers. High decibel personal safety alarms also legal to carry and use. Traditional pepper spray sold in pharmacies and by licensed firearms dealers locally. - No online sales. Traditional pepper spray sold in pharmacies and by licensed firearms dealers locally.

Shipping Restrictions:

Pepper spray cannot be shipped 2nd or Next Day Air.

Massachusetts Pepper Spray Laws:

Animal repellent pepper sprays are legal and can be purchased online. Traditional pepper sprays are only available through local licensed firearms dealers and cannot be purchased through online websites.

Michigan Pepper Spray Laws:

Animal defense sprays and personal alarms can be legally purchased online. Other pepper spray products must be less than 35 grams of product and 2% or less OC concentration. OC pepper sprays only. No UV dyes.

Wisconsin Pepper Spray Law:

Pepper spray only, no stronger than 10%. Safety features required. Weight allowed 15-60 grams.
Pepper Shot Pepper Sprays are legal in Wisconsin. However, Wildfire Pepper Sprays are NOT legal in Wisconsin.

California Pepper Spray Law:

Canisters must be less than 2.5 ounces.

Defense Spray Use in California (Tear Gas).
In California you can get a state penalty of up to a thousand dollar fine and/or up to three years in prison for misuse of tear gas and you would also have a felony conviction on your record for the rest of your life. Some conditions that qualify as misuse of tear gas including using it on people in anger, spraying it as a joke or tear gas possessed by prohibited persons. Those who are legally prohibited from possessing tear gas includes minors, drug addicts or persons convicted of felonies and assault, although these people can procure tear gas with very few barriers.
In California any legally purchased canister of tear gas that is going to be possessed or used must have a label stating the following:

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. For a canister of tear gas the maximum legal weight is 2.5 ounces or 70 grams of OC, CS or CN. For civilian use CN is illegal.

Washington D.C.

Must register pepper spray possession with local law enforcement.

Below are pepper spray laws and restrictions that we are aware of. You should check locally if you believe pepper sprays may be restricted in your area.

2 ounce pepper sprays, 4 ounce pepper sprays, Pepper Pens, Pepper Pager, Tri-Pack.

State Laws and Restrictions states where pepper Sprays are Restricted.

(We cannot ship to these states. If an order is placed your order will be canceled)
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.

Click Macebrandmichiganapprovedpepperspray to view Michigan Approved Pepper Sprays.

Wisconsin:

Tear gas is not 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 are authorized.
This is 1/2 oz. and 2 oz. spray. Further, the product cannot 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.

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 check with you local city or state attorneys office.

Defense sprays should only be purchased by those 18 years of age or older. The above list may not be totally accurate or complete and Safety Technology accepts no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.

States WITHOUT shipping restrictions on pepper spray products:

Alabama (AL), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV),Wyoming (WY)

Check with your local law enforcement department for specific laws about the possession and use of pepper spray products in your city or county.