General Discussion

sarisataka

(22,710 posts)

16. Pepper spray is illegal in the UK

Sun Jun 4, 2017, 03:07 PM

Jun 2017

Pepper spray is illegal to buy or possess in the UK under Section 5 (1) (b) of the Firearms Act 1968.

A person commits an offence if, without the authority of the Defence Council [F1 or the Scottish Ministers (by virtue of provision made under section 63 of the Scotland Act 1998)], he has in his possession, or purchases or acquires, or manufactures, sells or transfers—
[...]

(b)any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing; and

A spray, Safehaus Mini Self Defence Spray Criminal Identifier (£9.49 on Amazon, currently out of stock) is being sold as a legal self defense spray. It appears it sprays a non-toxic dye to help identify your assailant afterwards. As the police note in the OP, its use has not been tested in court so if you use it in defense you may find yourself going to prison under Section 5 (1) (b)...

Essentially the only really legal form of self defense in the UK is to summon police by making noise or run away.

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Want to defend yourself in the UK? [View all] B2G Jun 2017 OP

That the terrorists were using knives and vehicles kinda emphasizes their options were limited too. Pholus Jun 2017 #1

You cannot even carry PEPPER SPRAY B2G Jun 2017 #3

No, it isn't if you don't want it to be. Then again, I am trying to picture the situation and Pholus Jun 2017 #6

They really should make it much easier to buy guns EarlG Jun 2017 #2

This isn't about guns B2G Jun 2017 #4

You can't possess a knife? A chunk of brick? A bat? No hands or feet? uppityperson Jun 2017 #34

No knives, bats, pepper spray, etc. nt B2G Jun 2017 #37

Wrong. Pocket knives are legal. uppityperson Jun 2017 #38

Exactly.... HipChick Jun 2017 #5

Some of you are missing the point of the OP Calculating Jun 2017 #7

Thank you. B2G Jun 2017 #8

Strangely the terrorists had no access either.... Pholus Jun 2017 #9

AND the UK does NOT have even HALF the murder rate of Gun-totin, pepper sprayin' rustydog Jun 2017 #10

* A factor of 4 lower murder rate. Pholus Jun 2017 #11

Violent crime in the UK is up 27% B2G Jun 2017 #12

And yet still vastly smaller than ours. LanternWaste Jun 2017 #24

Duh, they need a smaller murder rate. They have fewer people Bucky Jun 2017 #32

I like UK's gun laws. If for no other reason, criminals seldom have access to handguns. Hoyt Jun 2017 #13

They also have that nasty trend recently of acid in the face attacks Bucky Jun 2017 #30

defend yourself in the UK? mitch96 Jun 2017 #14

Pepper spray is illegal in the UK sarisataka Jun 2017 #16

Ok, bug spray it is... mitch96 Jun 2017 #23

Yeah, but there are things just as good a pepper spray folks can carry, if they actually feel the Hoyt Jun 2017 #28

I'd Carry A Cricket Bat Everywhere JimGinPA Jun 2017 #15

You would be facing two years in prison sarisataka Jun 2017 #18

Then carry this, it's also useful for UK weather. Hoyt Jun 2017 #29

And they get to make that decision. It's their country. politicat Jun 2017 #17

My daughter is in London, still she feels safer there than in the gun-wielding states of the U.S. TheBlackAdder Jun 2017 #19

I've never felt unsafe in the UK. cwydro Jun 2017 #20

Lucky You MosheFeingold Jun 2017 #31

The fact that you feel the need to go armed for self-defence... Spider Jerusalem Jun 2017 #21

They seem to get by with their fists pretty well Sen. Walter Sobchak Jun 2017 #22

Here's what you actually do: RUN AWAY! MineralMan Jun 2017 #25

Great advice, even when carrying. SQUEE Jun 2017 #35

It's important we believe your tough shit about other countries LanternWaste Jun 2017 #26

And yet, look at their homicide rate. DanTex Jun 2017 #27

Small spray bottle full of ammonia. JoeStuckInOH Jun 2017 #33

Pepper spray and knives release my inner berserker. hunter Jun 2017 #36