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Below are most current, readily-available state laws and restrictions relating to pepper spray. This information is offered as a service only. It may be incomplete, is subject to change, and does not constitute legal advice or authoritative guidance. In all cases, the buyer/user is responsible for understanding and abiding by local regulations.
Blank boxes indicate no known regulations or restrictions based on our research.
| State | Age Restriction | Quantity Restriction | Content Weight/Volume Restriction | Capsaicinoid Restriction | Can Ship to Customers in State? | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ||||||
| Alaska | Must be 18+ | Illegal to ship pepper sprays and gels to Alaska | Must be 21+ to carry on school property | |||
| Arizona | Container can not contain more than 150cc/5 oz. | |||||
| Arkansas | Container can not contain more than 150cc/5 oz. | |||||
| California | Must be 18+ | Container can not contain more than 2.5 oz. | ||||
| Colorado | ||||||
| Connecticut | ||||||
| Delaware | Must be 18+ | |||||
| D.C. | A registration form must be completed at purchase, and the vendor must collect and forward the form to the Metropolitan Police Department. | |||||
| Florida | Container can not contain more than 2 oz. | |||||
| Georgia | ||||||
| Hawaii | Illegal to ship pepper sprays and gels to Hawaii | Must be licensed to sell in Honolulu | ||||
| Idaho | ||||||
| Illinois | Must be 18+ | |||||
| Indiana | ||||||
| Iowa | ||||||
| Kansas | ||||||
| Kentucky | ||||||
| Louisiana | ||||||
| Maine | ||||||
| Maryland | Must be 18+ | |||||
| Massachusetts | Ages 15-18 must obtain a firearms ID card in order to purchase spray or gel | Illegal to ship pepper sprays and gels to Massachusetts | Pepper spray or gel must be purchased at a licensed firearms dealers. | |||
| Michigan | Must be 18+ | Pepper sprays and gels cannot contain more than 35g of orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) and inert ingredient. | Cannot contain more than 35 grams (or 18%) of oleoresin capsicum (OC). | |||
| Minnesota | Seller must comply with local licensing requirements, if applicable in their area. | |||||
| Mississippi | ||||||
| Missouri | ||||||
| Montana | ||||||
| Nebraska | ||||||
| Nevada | Must be 18+ | Pepper sprays and gels containing CS tear gas cannot exceed more than 2 oz. | ||||
| New Hampshire | ||||||
| New Jersey | Must be 18+ | Size cannot exceed 0.75 fluid ounces | ||||
| New Mexico | ||||||
| New York | Product canisters cannot contain more than 0.75 oz. | Strength cannot exceed 0.7% major capsaicinoids | Illegal to ship pepper sprays and gels to New York | Pepper sprays and gels must be purchased in person at a pharmacy or firearm retailer. There is a maximum of two sprays per purchase. | ||
| North Carolina | Pepper spray and gel canisters cannot exceed 150 cc or 5.07 fluid oz. | |||||
| North Dakota | ||||||
| Ohio | ||||||
| Oklahoma | ||||||
| Oregon | ||||||
| Pennsylvania | ||||||
| Rhode Island | Must be 18+ | |||||
| South Carolina | Pepper spray and gel size cannot exceed 1.69 oz. | |||||
| South Dakota | ||||||
| Tennessee | ||||||
| Texas | ||||||
| Utah | ||||||
| Vermont | ||||||
| Virginia | ||||||
| Washington | Must be 18+ | |||||
| West Virginia | ||||||
| Wisconsin | Must be 18+ | Pepper spray and gel canisters cannot exceed 2.0 fluid oz | OC content must be between 15 to 50 grams | The range of pepper sprays and gels must be within 6 to 20 feet, and all products must have a safety feature to prevent accidental deployment. Products cannot be camouflaged. Products may contain red pepper spray but not tear gas. | ||
| Wyoming |