Since its really hard for me to get a CCW permit as I live in CA, what about pepper spray? I really want my wife to have something just in case anything goes down. What is pepper spray, how does it work, is it effective, and can you carry it concealed. Of course all of these questions come down to- is it legal?

Thanks for your help

I'll bet the California Attorney General's website, or perhaps the Highway Patrol's, would have that info.

I haven't ordered from this retailer, but here's their summary of California regulations:

"However, the state of California does have a few rules and regulations regarding the use of pepper spray. It is absolutely legal to carry pepper spray and use it to protect your personal safety without having any special state or federal permits. CA laws do regulate the size and/or weight of the defense spray products you can carry and buy. The legal container size must be equal to or below 2.5 ounces of active product. There are many pepper spray items and models that comply with this state set standard (see list below). "

"The pepper spray carried, shipped, sold or used in California should also be labeled with a warning stating that the product is only intended for self-defense. In general, most state laws (California included) enforce that pepper spray should only be used in self defense situations where you fear your life or safety is in danger. Illegal use of pepper spray products (perhaps dispensing them out of anger or as non self defense violence against another person) can bring fines of $1000 and up and/or three years in prison. "

Extracted from http://www.pepper-spray-store.com/relatedinfo/california-laws.shtml

There's no mention of a Michigan style regulation as to "percentage" of OC. Fox Labs and MSI brand "Mace" offerings are some of the better brands.

If they'll ship to you in California, you can try ordering from Galls police supply.
Here's the link for the "Galls University" explanation of Self Defense Sprays:
http://www.galls.com/DefSpray1.html

I order Freeze +p from www.defensedevices.com The 2 oz stream style is exactly what the LASD uses (foggers can blow back in your face in the wind)...it is a mixture of OC (pepper) and CS gas and it has no tops or knobs to fumble with. If you want something with a safety top, yuo can find those too, they are usually referred to as "cop tops" which is a flip top over the button....

$8.95 is a prety good price for these but they charge 6 bucks shipping so I usually buy a bunch for friends and split the order up...



Fox is also a good brand and here is a cop top version...it costs almost double but it's a nice feature if you feel you need it....might be a good idea in a womans's purse to keep from accidentally discharging...although women should not carry them loose like that since it will be hard to find in a hurry....a little holster clipped inside the purse is a good way to go.

Try and stay away for the little key chain models..their twist tops are iffy and their size makes them harder to aim...



BTW, I went back to the site and found this cop top at only 6.95...seems to be potent enough at 2 milllion scovels of heat, but I am not familiar with the brand...probably works fine.

Here in CA, our meter readers and gas serviceman carry pepper spry for canine attacks. How is this form and concentration for two legged varmits? It the same as postal workers use and sprays a stream that is very capable of aiming well.

Here in MA, pepper spray requires, at a minimum, a 'firearms ID card' which is the lowest level of firarms license.

The application procedure is the same as for an unlimited LTC.

What you apply for and what you are granted typically varies by your record and the politics of the community you are applying in (UNFORTUNATELY). The local Chief of Police has great discretion in determining what type of permit will ultimately be issued, but thanks to legislation passed during Mitt Romney's term, there is now an APPEALS PROCESS.


A simple explanation is that there are two types of 'pepper sprays'.

One is more of a true spray and tends to drift and dissipate in the air based on distance from the subject and the prevailing wind.

The second is more of a gel and can be better directed in a stream over distance even where there is a modest breeze (OC 'spray').

The latter tends to come in bulkier dispensers and runs more expensive.

Which you choose depends on your need, the size container you wish to/can manage to carry, and your budget.

Both either DO or DO NOT require a permit depending on your local laws. In that regard there is no distinction between the two types.

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If all else fails, as far as what's available...you could always give her Bear foam to carry. Potent enough pepper formula to send a Grizzly back where it comes from.

quote:

...you could always give her Bear foam to carry.

I always thought that was some kind of hair removal product.

Some things about pepper spray you need to know:
1. For some reason it is less effective on Native Americans.
2. The more times someone is exposed to it, the less effective it is against them.
3. It doesn't work well against the very intoxicated.

The stuff is overrated. My mind was made up when the peppers didn't work as advertised and the guy had to be sprayed with lead instead. That DID work.

The sprays generally work well on the loud mouthed sissies but the hardcore assailants are not impressed and can kill you before they become incapacitated. Everybody who carries it should get sprayed once (or more) to know what it feels like. And there's always the chance that your assailant will use it against YOU.

Dave Sinko

quote:

Originally posted by 44forever:
Some things about pepper spray you need to know:
1. For some reason it is less effective on Native Americans.

That's just evolution at work. Over hundreds of years they have become immune to eye irritants from all the smoke signals and cigarete smoke in their casinos.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sipowicz,

Actually, I suspect it is genetic as pepper spray doesn't seem to bother me as much as it does some and I am part Indian. Of course I have also eaten a lot of chili peppers in the 20+ years I've been in New Mexico so that might have had an influence as well.

How does the stuff work on asians (particularly southeast asians)? They eat some mega-spicey food. When I was in Army basic training there was an ethnically Japanese (I know, northern asia) guy who ENJOYED the gas chamber. He said it gave him a buzz. I thought that stuff was NASTY!!!!

I checked the FBI stats and lucky for pepper spray carriers, Native Amercians and Asians are way down on the list of attackers by ethnicity...but I can't seem to recall what race was the most active in this area....pretty sure it wasn't the Swedes.

Has anyone tried the Kimber pepper spray?

http://www.life-act.com/guardianangel.php