Where can you own and use a pepper spray for self-defense in Europe?

28 comments
  1. In Italy the only requirement for ownership of a pepper spray is to be 16 or older. However, not all pepper sprays are legal to sell, because they have to abide by some government rules to be considered instruments that can only cause temporary effects and not permanent damage. Here’s what they are:

    * Only *Oleoresin Capsicum* is allowed as active ingredient (it’s the natural oil extracted from spicy plants)

    * Can’t have more than 20 mL of liquid

    * Can’t have a bigger reach than 3 metres

    * Can’t have a concentration of actual capsaicin bigger than 2,5%

    And then normal safety things like having all the appropriate warnings on the labels and not containing flammable or toxic substances.

  2. In Denmark it became Legal for self defence In 2019.

    But it turned out it was mostly used by criminals.

    From 2021 it have become illegal again, and peber sprays have to be returned to police.

    You can in rare cases get a permit to carry a weapon/peberspray in Denmark.

  3. I’m Spanish and I was fined 300€ for having one in my car.
    How is it legal without restrictions?

  4. what is the difference between ‘Allowed without restriction’ and ‘Ownership allowed without a license’? They sound like the same thing.

  5. It’s not legal in Spain, I don’t know your source for this map but at least concerning Spain is totally wrong, maybe some other countries too.

  6. Jokes on you, pepper sprays are basically useless in London. Ever heard the one about the guy who brought a pepper spray to a knife fight?

  7. As an American, it is strange to see something that that illegal, however European cities do seem to be safer most of the time so you guys are definitely doing something right.

  8. I’ve been thinking about why there are some really weirdly restrictive and dystopian laws in the UK, and I’ve come to the conclusion that the people there simply cannot be trusted to use things like knives and pepper spray in good faith. See London as a perfect example of why we can’t have nice things.

  9. As an American I find it sad you can’t even defend yourself through non-lethal means. Best of luck friends, I’m off to shoot my variety of firearms.

  10. one thing is owning pepper spray another thing is allowed usage in self defence. those are two completely different legal rights

  11. **Estonia:** Age requirement 18, otherwise you can buy it over the counter. Restrictions on what sort of spray you can own.

    § 18. Weapons and ammunition in unrestricted commerce

    (1) The following are weapons and ammunition in unrestricted commerce:

    1. gas spray;

    Only gas sprays filled with CS (mace, tear gas) or OC (pepper spray) are permitted. The concentration of the gas used in such sprays shall not exceed 5%.

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