Petition · past parliament · Home Office
Legalise carrying and using pepper spray for self-defence
Closed
774 signatures
What the petition asks
Pepper spray is a popular self-defence tool used around the world. However, in the UK, it is illegal to possess or use pepper spray, labelled a "firearm". If legalised, it can empower people to defend themselves against attackers, and could help provide opportunities to escape a dangerous situation.
According to the Office for National Statistics, in the year ending March 2021, there were 55,000 recorded offences of rape, with women accounting for almost 90% of victims. Additionally, there were an estimated 773,000 victims of sexual assault for the year ending March 2020, with women accounting for almost 80% of victims.
With the legalisation of pepper spray, we believe these numbers can be reduced drastically, and women can feel a lot safer walking home from work or a night out.
With the legalisation of pepper spray, we believe these numbers can be reduced drastically, and women can feel a lot safer walking home from work or a night out.
Timeline
| 13 Mar 2023 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 13 Sep 2023 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
774
Status
Closed
Department
Home Office
Opened
13 Mar 2023
Closed
13 Sep 2023
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.