Petition

Allow licensed pepper spray for DBS-cleared adults to improve safety.

Rejected 18 signatures

What the petition asks

Amend the Firearms Act to allow licensed OC pepper spray for adults who pass enhanced DBS checks and a mandatory training course, with strict storage rules, limits on strength, independent testing, and strong penalties for misuse, to help improve women’s safety.
Women are disproportionately targeted for violent and sexual offences, and many feel unsafe travelling alone, especially at night. Current prevention measures are not enough. Other democratic countries safely allow licensed OC spray with checks and training. A strictly regulated licence system here could deter attackers, improve personal safety, and give women an evidence-based, non-lethal, last-resort defensive option.

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

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

Key facts

Signatures 18
Status Rejected
Rejected 2 Dec 2025

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 10 Aug 2026.