I was on Amazon recently and stumbled (as one does) to various self defence pepper sprays for sale, some with a lot of Japanese reviews.
Anyone know what the law is on pepper spray?
While I am not interested in carrying one out and about – if its legal I’ll keep one at home after what happened to poor Bill Bishop.
4 comments
The law is a bit complicated. You are allowed to own it, but you cannot carry it around on you unless 1) you carry it openly (no concealed weapons) and 2) you have a good reason to carry it (such as you work as a security guard or such).
It’s completely legal to keep at home. Carrying it on your person is where the law is a bit murky.
just keep? what about using?
It is legal to carry provided that you have *a plausible reason to do so*. If you are a woman who has to walk through some empty dark streets to go home, that’s fine. If you’re a guy who wants it “just in case” – maybe not.
Keep in mind that if you discharge the spray and mace a bystander, you’ll be done for assault with a weapon. Do NOT use it in a crowded area, and especially not in public transit.
If you are carrying it and don’t have a plausible reason, and you are stopped and searched, you can potentially be done under the minor crimes law (possession of a weapon that can cause bodily harm) and the penalties can go up to a year in prison.