| Pepper spray, or oleoresin capsicum, is legal to use for | | | | enough to be contained in your purse or pocket, |
| your personal protection and self defense in most | | | | remember that you will be searched and have to pass |
| states. However, transporting defense spray or | | | | through a metal detector prior to boarding the airplane. |
| another disabling chemical or device (such as a stun | | | | Concealing the container can get you arrested. |
| gun) from one place to another can be somewhat | | | | Don't Conceal Your Defense Spray in Your Carry-on |
| tricky-especially if you are traveling by plane. Today's | | | | Luggage |
| airline restrictions are very strict, and for good reason. | | | | If you feel that you will want to have your defense |
| The limitations are in place to keep all passengers and | | | | spray or a stun gun for your personal protection at |
| employees safer. | | | | your final travel destination, then knowing the airline |
| What Pepper Spray Products are Allowed? | | | | safety regulations regarding how to properly pack the |
| There are certain limitations on what you can actually | | | | spray is very important. Unfortunately, if you do |
| transport while you are traveling by plane-specifically, | | | | attempt to get through security with the spray on your |
| you are forbidden to travel with any other disabling | | | | person or in your carryon baggage, it probably will be |
| chemical or device, and these regulations are strictly | | | | confiscated. Safely packing it into your checked |
| enforced. The specific rules regarding pepper spray | | | | baggage at the start of your trip is a much better way |
| state that carrying a spray on your person or in your | | | | to handle the situation and ensure that you still have it |
| carryon luggage is prohibited. If you do feel you need | | | | to protect yourself when you arrive. |
| defense spray at your destination, it is possible to get it | | | | Check All State and City Pepper Spray Regulations of |
| there since you are allowed to pack pepper spray | | | | Your Travel Destination |
| containers or cans that are 4 oz. or less in your | | | | Also, you will want to be sure that you carefully check |
| checked baggage. Most pocket or purse-sized pepper | | | | the laws regarding personal protection devices and |
| spray cans that you will find are generally in the 2.5-3 | | | | disabling chemicals in your destination state. It's |
| oz. range, and rarely larger than 4 oz., so this should | | | | important to understand that there may be specific |
| not be a problem. | | | | limitations on the legality of having OC spray in certain |
| Tell the Airline that You Have an O.C. Spray | | | | states, such as Massachusetts (requires a firearm |
| If you do choose to pack a small can of defense | | | | card), New York (limitations of point of purchase), |
| spray or a stun gun in your checked luggage, you must | | | | Wisconsin (limitations on concentration of pepper spray |
| declare this to the clerks at the baggage counter. | | | | or other chemicals), Washington DC (pepper spray |
| They will probably want to inspect the can (this is | | | | must be registered), California (limits size of container), |
| generally required by law), and ensure that there is a | | | | and Michigan (limits ingredients and size of container). In |
| locking safety device to prevent unintentional discharge | | | | Canada, pepper spray is completely illegal, so if you |
| while inside of the bag. | | | | are headed to Canada then leave the pepper spray at |
| While most self defense spray dispensers are small | | | | home. |