Is Pepper Spray Legal on the East Coast in States like Connecticut and Maine?
Pepper spray and pepper gel are generally legal across the United States, though each might have its own unique laws and guidelines for purchase and carry. Laws might also vary at the city level. It is critical for buyers and users to know how to lawfully carry these tools prior to making a purchase.
This guide covers the specific legal considerations for the east coast states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Rhode Island. (For Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, read our blog on pepper spray legality in Southern states.)
What about New York? Because the state of New York is home to New York City, with its own set of laws, read the blog Pepper Spray and New York: The Laws and Where to Buy.
United States-Wide Legal Considerations
A few principles for pepper spray apply broadly across the United States.
Notably, pepper spray and pepper gel are legal for civilian use in all 50 states, but each state sets its own conditions. Common variables include age requirements for purchase, canister size and concentration restrictions, and prohibitions on carrying in specific locations. Felony convictions often disqualify a person from lawful possession.
In nearly all states, pepper spray may be carried for self-defense purposes but should not be used except when there is a clear threat. It should not be used as an intimidation tool and deploying pepper spray or gel unprovoked may result in fines or other consequences.
Pepper spray is restricted in some schools, and nearly universally in courthouses, government buildings, correctional facilities, and other secure public venues where carrying pepper spray is prohibited even where possession is otherwise legal.
Finally, one federal rule applies everywhere: The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) prohibits pepper spray in carry-on luggage. A single canister up to four fluid ounces with a safety mechanism is permitted in checked baggage only, though individual airlines may have further restrictions.
Pepper Spray Laws by East Coast State
Is pepper spray legal in Connecticut?
Yes, pepper spray is legal in Connecticut. Adults over 18 years of age may purchase and use pepper spray for personal protection without a background check or permit. There is no standalone statute on pepper spray use and purchase – legality rests on the absence of a prohibition, not an affirmative statutory grant. This is the standard for most states.
Is pepper spray legal in Delaware?
Yes, pepper spray is legal in Delaware. Like Connecticut, Delaware’s penal code does not expressly prohibit adult possession or carry of pepper spray. It may be purchased and used for personal protection without a background check or permit.
Is pepper spray legal in Maine?
Yes, pepper spray is legal in Maine. Unlike Connecticut and Delaware, Maine’s legal code expressly allows pepper spray for the use of personal self-defense or when defending one’s property.
Is pepper spray legal in Maryland?
Yes, pepper spray is legal in Maryland. Maryland’s statute, like Maine, specifically allows individuals to carry pepper spray and pepper gel as a “reasonable precaution against apprehended danger.”
Is pepper spray legal in Massachusetts?
Yes, pepper spray is legal in Massachusetts. Of the east coast states reviewed so far, Massachusetts offers the most explicit framework for purchase. It establishes that adults 18 and older may purchase and possess pepper spray without a permit; it also explicitly states no person under 18 may do so without a permit. Massachusetts also requires specific licensing for retailers, which prevents shipping from online stores into the state.
Is pepper spray legal in New Hampshire?
Yes, pepper spray is legal in New Hampshire. Similar to Delaware and Connecticut, New Hampshire’s laws do not expressly prohibit possessing or carrying pepper spray. It may be purchased and used for personal protection without a background check or permit.
Is pepper spray legal in New Jersey?
Yes, pepper spray is legal in New Jersey. Under the New Jersey law, a person 18 or older who has not been convicted of a crime may possess a small, pocket-sized device capable of spraying a non-lethal chemical substance that causes temporary physical discomfort, defined in legislative analysis as pepper spray or mace. The statute limits the device to one that contains and releases no more than three-quarters of an ounce of spray. A person possessing a larger quantity is guilty of a disorderly persons offense and subject to a fine.
Is pepper spray legal in Rhode Island?
Yes, pepper spray is legal in Rhode Island. Rhode Island law states any person 18 years of age or over may carry on their person and use, unless otherwise prohibited by law, any non-lethal noxious substance or liquid for personal protection or the protection of others.
Shipping, Buying and Traveling with Pepper Spray to the East Coast
Shipping is permitted to most East Coast states, with the notable exception of New York and restrictions set by Massachusetts. Reputable retailers, including manufacturers like SABRE, verify items shipped comply with size and formula requirements and they will not ship items that go against the laws of the shipping location.
Car travel across state lines requires individuals to be aware of the different state laws through which they travel. A product legal in Delaware may not be in New Jersey. If traveling through or spending time in multiple states, carry only products that comply with the most restrictive laws.
Pepper spray and pepper gel are effective and widely available for self-defense. Knowing the laws in your state is the first step toward carrying with confidence.
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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.