Is Pepper Spray Illegal in The UK? Top 5 Picks For Personal Safety
For any nation, women’s safety is an issue of great concern. Countries take measures to ensure that the safety of women is not neglected.
However, help may not be available to women at all times. At times like these, safety weapons come in handy. Safety weapons like pocket knives, knuckles, pepper spray, etc., can greatly help.
But not all weapons are legal in all countries. For instance, some countries forbid civilians to carry arms. However, nations like the USA allow their citizens to carry arms for their safety.
But today, we will not talk about all countries. This blog is about the UK and is pepper spray illegal in the UK.
Let’s find out.
What is Pepper Spray?
Pepper spray is an effective self-defense tool. It is a spray that shoots pepper.
Whenever a person feels danger, they can pop out a pepper spray and spray it in the eyes of the culprit.
The pepper kicks in instantly and starts burning the eyes of the victim. This burning sensation generates extreme pain and irritation in the eye and gives the person enough time to escape or contact the local police station.
Hence, pepper spray is an easy-to-use and effective tool for self-defense. It is mainly used by women and people camping in a predator’s area,
Is Pepper Spray illegal in The UK?
The short answer to this question is yes.
It is illegal to carry pepper spray in the UK. The UK has one of the toughest laws on arms in the world. And under 5(1) (b), it is prohibited to carry any items “for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or another thing.”
However, last year the government ruled out new guidelines for firearms. These guidelines state that pepper spray being a non-lethal weapon, is paced under type three.
Type one weapon are weapons capable of killing two or more people at a time or in rapid succession.
Factors still need to be considered before fully legalizing pepper spray.
Is any Pepper Sprays Legal in The UK?
Carrying non-lethal weapons like pepper spray is illegal in the UK. Carrying pepper spray is unlawful in the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom has one of the strictest gun restrictions in the world. Furthermore, it is banned to transport any goods “for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas, or another object” under 5(1) (b).
Top 5 Best Legal Alternatives of Pepper Spray in The UK
As we have seen that pepper spray is illegal in the UK. But it doesn’t mean that one can’t carry anything in self-defense. One can’t be depended on authority for their protection all the time.
Hence, here are the top 5 legal alternatives to pepper spray in the UK.
1. Hair Spray/ Deodorants
One good alternative to pepper spray is carrying a hair spray or a deodorant. Both of them contain alcohol which will irritate the eye, thus, giving you enough time to escape.
One thing one must remember is if you keep a hair spray or deodorant for self-defense, then make sure that the spray you buy contains a high percentage of alcohol. A higher percentage of alcohol will ensure that the spray has maximum benefit as a self-defense spray.
2. Paintball gun
Have you ever been hit by a paintball gun? If not, then trust me, it hurts like hell. And this is why it can be a good weapon of choice.
It works efficiently, and with just 2 to 3 shots on sensitive organs, you can buy yourself some time to escape.
3. Pocket knife
Specifically, a pocket knife or a non-lockable pocket knife is another great legal self-defense tool in the UK.
The knife you carry should be below 3 inches long and not be locked in a single position.
You can find a lot of options. Go for a sturdy knife and avoid cheap ones as they can betray you when you need them the most.
4. Catapult
If you know one or two things about catapults, you must know how lethal they can be. However, using a catapult is impractical in instant situations, but having something is better than nothing.
A catapult can save you if you are attached to an animal. As if the shot hits the target, it creates extreme pain.
5. Bow/Crossbow
A manually pulled bow or a self-pulled crossbow is an ideal choice of weapon, especially if you are out in the wild.
A crossbow is extremely lethal. It generates great force capable enough to take a life.
Honorable mention
Having an arm to defend yourself is good, but at the end of the day, they are machines; they have certain limitations and can fail.
Here the best thing is to learn some self-defense. Join karate, martial arts, etc., classes, and you will be a weapon within some time.
Conclusion:
This was all about Is pepper spray illegal in the UK. many people have applied to make it legal, and the government is working on it. The time is not far from when the UK’s government will make it legal to possess and use.
But for the time being, we can just sit and depend on other methods of self-defense.
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