Petition

Allow adults to buy, possess, carry regulated pepper/PAVA spray for self-defence

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

People feel unsafe and unable to defend themselves. Current law bans all incapacitant sprays, leaving citizens defenceless. Allowing regulated pepper or PAVA sprays for self-defence, with training and strict penalties, would give law-abiding adults a non-lethal way to protect themselves.
People are being attacked on public transport and streets, yet the law bans even non-lethal sprays for defence. Allowing trained, licensed adults to carry regulated pepper or PAVA spray would give them a lawful, safe way to protect themselves and others where there is an imminent risk to life, while keeping strict penalties and safeguards to prevent misuse.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign the following petition, which calls for similar action:

Legalise pepper spray in England: Legalise pepper spray in England

Timeline

2 Nov 2025 Petition opened for signatures
2 Dec 2025 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 2 Dec 2025

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 27 Jul 2026.