🇺🇸 Federal Law Overview
- Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. for self‑defense purposes (World Population Review).
- It is a federal offense to carry or ship pepper spray onboard commercial aircraft (accessible areas)—penalties can reach up to $25,000 (Wikipedia).
- Safe in checked baggage (up to ~4 oz) under TSA rules (Wikipedia).
⚠️ Common Restrictions (varies by state)
Many states enforce:
- Age limits (often 18+),
- Quantity or weight limits,
- Capsaicinoid concentration caps,
- Specific purchasing rules (e.g., in-person only),
- Registration requirements (e.g., DC) (pepper-spray-store.com, byrna.com, Wikipedia, World Population Review).
đź“‹ States with Notable Restrictions
| State / District | Key Restriction(s) |
|---|---|
| California | Max canister size: 2.5 oz by weight; minors under 16 and felons prohibited (Wikipedia) |
| Hawaii | Limit: ½ oz containers only; must be 18+ (byrna.com, policemagnum.com) |
| New York | Must purchase in person (pharmacy or licensed firearms dealer); capsaicin ≤ 0.67% (Wikipedia) |
| New Jersey | Max 0.75 oz; non-felons over 18 only (Wikipedia, policemagnum.com) |
| Michigan | Max ~1.2 oz; prohibited for minors and felons; online sale restricted (Wikipedia, Fox Labs Pepper Spray) |
| Wisconsin | OC ≤ 10% strength, 15–60 g weight, safeties required, no tear gas; age 18+ (Wikipedia, pepper-spray-store.com) |
| Florida | Max 2 oz chemical; no permit needed for open or concealed carry (Wikipedia, policemagnum.com) |
| North Carolina | Max 5 oz capacity (byrna.com, Fox Labs Pepper Spray) |
| Washington, D.C. | Registration with local police required (pepper-spray-store.com, Fox Labs Pepper Spray) |
| Arkansas | Max 150 cc (~5 oz), only for self-defense, cannot target law enforcement officer (Pepper Enforcement, pepper-spray-store.com) |
| Alaska | Must be 18+, possession banned in school unless 21+; shipping restrictions apply (asp-usa.com, Pepper Enforcement) |
âś… States with Few or No Major Restrictions
Blade spray is generally legal for adult personal self‑defense without size limits in many states. These include (but aren’t limited to):
Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming (World Population Review).
ℹ️ Important Notes
- Local (city or county) ordinances may impose additional restrictions, so always consult local law enforcement for clarification.
- Felons and minors are widely prohibited from purchasing or possessing in most places.
- Regulations around capsaicin concentration, container size, safety features, and shipping are frequently updated—these limits may evolve.
đź“‚ Ready-to-use Resource
For a full downloadable state-by-state summary, including specific legal code references, visit the ASP U.S. Pepper Spray Laws overview page (pepper-spray-store.com, asp-usa.com). They maintain regularly updated tables with granular data on age limits, size caps, shipping permissions, and more.