Belvedere Company Owner Uncovers Eight “Crazy” Pepper Spray Laws in United States

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - March 25, 2014 - PRLog -- In an article posted on The Belvedere Company's web site, the company's owner, Paul Jones, has listed seven states plus the District of Columbia with “crazy” laws pertaining to carrying and using pepper spray for self-protection.

“If you think states have bizarre laws pertaining to guns, alcohol, and drugs,” Jones writes, “just wait to see what some politicians are doing to protect you from pepper spray! Although pepper spray is, in fact, legal in all 50 states, you might have to jump through some hoops to protect yourself.”

In alphabetical order, Jones identifies Alaska, California, D.C., Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and Wisconsin as the eight jurisdictions with the oddest regulations for buying, selling, or owning pepper spray.

Alaska: The only restriction is that you can’t carry it in school unless you have permission and then you must be over 21 years old. This means that only teachers or high school seniors held back several years can carry pepper spray.

California: Only a person with no felony record can carry pepper spray, and then no more than 2.5 ounces. It is only legal to use it for protection against animals, not people.

District of Columbia:  Jones calls this regulation “the craziest one of all. You can carry pepper spray but you must go to you local police station and 'register' it.” The law does not specify what form this registration must take. Jones comments: “I don’t know how you can register something that has no serial number on it or what benefit this rule serves.”

Massachusetts: The Bay State restricts sales to firearms dealers only and your spray must be “licensed” by the police.

Michigan: You can only possess a canister containing less than 35 grams and the pepper spray can’t be more than 2% strength. (“Good thing Michigan has eliminated crime,” quips Jones, “so there is no need for self-protection.”)

New York: “These regulations are as crazy as anything I’ve ever heard,” says Jones, because in New York, you must buy your pepper spray from either a licensed gun dealer or a pharmacist. “What do gun shops and drug stores have in common?,” asks Jones: “Maybe a good lobbyist.” In addition, a customer can buy a maximum of two pepper sprays at a time. Oddly enough, Jones points out, although buying pepper spray on line or by mail order is illegal if the product is labeled for self-protection against humans, New Yorkers can buy exactly the same product on line “as long as it is labeled for protection from dogs or bears.”

New Jersey:  Pepper spray is restricted to “pocket sized” only. “The power or the number of pepper sprays you carry in New Jersey don't matter,” Jones notes, “as long as they fit in a pocket.” The law does not define what “pocket sized” means. “Coat pocket? Pants pocket? Shirt pocket? New Jersey doesn't say.”

Wisconsin:  Citizens can carry pepper spray as long as the maximum concentration is less than 10% (which is fine) but you cannot have one that holds more than 2 ounces. The crazy thing is, Mace is illegal, but Wisconsinites can carry pepper spray.”

“Isn’t it comforting,” Jones notes wryly, “to know that politicians are busy protecting you from protecting yourself?”

Jones recommends that people visit the web site of The Belvedere Company at www.tbcsafe.com, where they can purchase pepper sprays, alarms, whistles, and other devices that can disable or frighten criminals intent on assault.

The products The Belvedere Company sells are easy to use, Jones says. “You don't have to be physically strong or fast or nimble, but you have to be willing to use it and you have to be alert and aware of your surroundings all the time.”

Customers anywhere in the United States can shop at The Belvedere Company, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Visit www.tbcsafe.com for more information or to make a purchase.

The Belvedere Company's owner Paul Jones is available for news media interviews via email at paul (@) tbcsafe (dot) com.