Pepper Spray Laws by State

When you're making the decision to purchase pepper spray or pepper gel for yourself or a loved one, it's important to familiarize yourself with pepper spray laws. While pepper spray is legal in all 50 states to carry and use for personal protection, some states and localities have specific regulations and restrictions.

Does your state have specific restrictions? Read on to find out.

Alaska: Pepper sprays and gels cannot be sold to minors or online. To carry on school property, the user must be at least 21 years old. 

Arkansas: Pepper spray and gel canisters cannot exceed 5.9 oz.

California: Pepper sprays and gels cannot be purchased, possessed, or used by: minors, felons, or addicts. Product canisters cannot exceed 2.5 oz.

Delaware: Pepper sprays and gels cannot be sold, given, or transferred to minors without the permission of a legal guardian.

Florida: Pepper spray and gel canisters cannot exceed 2 oz.

Hawaii: Pepper sprays and gel cannot be sold online and cannot contain more than 0.5 oz

Illinois: Pepper sprays and gels cannot be sold to minors. 

Maryland: Pepper sprays and gels cannot be sold to minors. Pepper sprays and gels cannot be carried on public school property. 

Massachusetts: A license is required to sell or carry pepper sprays and gels. Only licensed firearms dealers can sell pepper sprays and gels, and those ages 15 to 18 must obtain a firearms ID card in order to purchase. Pepper sprays and gels cannot be sold online. 

Michigan: Only SABRE RED formula is permitted. The SABRE 3-in-1 formula is not currently legal. 

Minnesota: Pepper sprays and gels cannot be possessed by anyone under the age of 16 without written permission of legal guardian. 

New Jersey: Pepper sprays and gels cannot be possessed by a minor or felon. Product canisters cannot contain more than 0.75 oz.

Nevada: Pepper sprays and gels cannot be sold to minors. Product canisters cannot contain more than 2 oz. The SABRE 3-in-1 formula canisters over 2oz are currently not legal.

New York: Product canisters cannot contain more than 0.75 oz. and the strength cannot exceed 0.7% major capsaicinoids. Pepper sprays and gels can only be sold by licensed firearms dealers and licensed pharmacists. It is illegal to ship pepper sprays and gels to New York. Purchases must be made in person, with a maximum of two sprays per purchase.

North Carolina: Pepper spray and gel canisters cannot exceed 5.29 oz and cannot be possessed by felon. 

Rhode Island: Pepper sprays and gels cannot be sold to minors.

South Carolina: Pepper spray and gel canisters cannot exceed 1.69 oz.

Wisconsin: Pepper sprays and gels cannot be possessed by a minor or felon. The SABRE 3-in-1 formula is not currently legal.

Visit our  Where to Buy page to find out where you can purchase a SABRE pepper spray in your state.

Pepper Spray Laws by State FAQs

• Is pepper spray legal in all 50 states? Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states, but each state may have specific restrictions.

• Are there age restrictions for purchasing pepper spray? Several states have restrictions regarding the sale of pepper spray to minors. Please refer to your state above for the specific restrictions.

• What are the limitations on pepper spray canister sizes in different states? Several states have restrictions regarding the size of canisters. Please refer to your state above for the specific restrictions.

• Do I need permission to carry pepper spray on school property? Alaska and Maryland specify pepper spray restrictions on school property. Review the restrictions above for specifics.

• Are there licensing requirements for selling or carrying pepper spray in certain states? Massachusetts and New York require a license for selling pepper spray. Massachusetts requires a license in order to carry pepper sprays and gels and those ages 15 to 18 must obtain a firearms ID card in order to purchase.

• Can pepper spray be purchased online and shipped to any state? Pepper spray and gel laws apply for e-commerce sales. If pepper spray and gel is restricted in a state, it cannot be shipped there.

• Is there a limit on the number of pepper sprays that can be purchased in New York? New York restricts consumers to a maximum of 2 pepper sprays per purchase.

Disclaimer: The possession and/or sale of SABRE defense sprays and SABRE Red defense sprays are legal in most cities and/or states in the United States. However, some cities and/or states have chosen to establish certain restrictions surrounding the possession and/or sale of these products. To the best of SABRE’s knowledge, listed are the most current legal restrictions for cities and/or states. You may wish to contact your local police department or the state police regarding the restrictions in your area and/or state.

Check your local laws to determine the legality of carrying SABRE and SABRE Red products in your area. SABRERED.com consumers are responsible for understanding the local and state laws concerning the purchase and use of Security Equipment Corporation's products. The consumer agrees that Security Equipment Corporation's products are not intended for illegal use. Security Equipment Corporation is not responsible for misrepresentation by the consumer nor the illegal use of our products.