Laws and Restrictions for Pepper Spray, Stun Guns,
and Knives
Stun Gun Laws
Hawaii – Restricted
Illinois – Can be locally purchased with a valid FOID card, and CCW permit (Possession and sales of Stunning Devices are banned in Chicago)
Massachusetts – Can be purchased locally with a valid FOID card, and CCW permit
Michigan – Restricted
Wisconsin – Can be purchased locally with a valid WI CCW permit
The above list may not be totally accurate or complete, and Life Defense Technologies, Ltd. accepts no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
Pepper Spray Laws
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.
U.S. States Where Pepper Sprays are Restricted:
(We cannot ship pepper spray to the below states. If an order is placed for pepper spray, your order will be cancelled)
New York: New York residents may only purchase defense sprays from licensed Firearms Dealers or licensed Pharmacists in that state.
Massachusetts: It is illegal for pepper spray to be mailed to Massachusetts, but it may be lawfully carried by private citizens. Before it is legal for any resident of the state to purchase the spray, a dealer must obtain a proof of age 18 or over with a valid form of identification. However Individuals between the ages of 15 and 18 must still have a valid firearms identification (FID) card to purchase self-defense spray. These are very easy to get: you simply request one at any local police station, fill out the required form and provide two separate types of identification. Every FID has a processing fee of $2, and takes about a week to receive.
States Where Pepper Sprays Have Some Restrictions
Michigan: 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 by a person in the protection of a person or property under circumstances that would justify the person’s use of physical force. The Canister size is restricted to 35grams approx. 1.2oz.
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.
IMPORTANT: 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 Life Defense Technologies, Ltd. accepts no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
Knife Restrictions:
If you have concerns, please check locally for any laws or restrictions on knives. We’ve been made aware that the Automatic and Butterfly knives are restricted in the following states:
Automatic Knives
California
Delaware
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Minnesota
Montana
New Jersey
New York
New Mexico
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Washington
Butterfly Knives
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia