Is Pepper Spray a Weapon?

This morning I received a call from a lady whose daughter who had been a victim of rape, was suspended and in danger of being expelled from school for carrying pepper spray. The reason was that the school prohibited carrying weapons.

But is pepper spray a weapon? Let's look at the definition of Weapon. Dictionary.com has this as the definition

1. An instrument of attack or defense in combat, as a gun, missile, or sword.

2. Zoology A part or organ, such as a claw or stinger, used by an animal in attack or defense.

3. A means used to defend against or defeat another: Logic was her weapon.

Some definitions define a weapon as something designed to inflict bodily harm, such as a knife or as gun.

In a broad sense anything, that you use to attack or harm someone is a weapon, it can be something as simple as a pen or it can be a gun. The definition and understanding of what a weapon is in the mind of the person or government. But what about products designed primarily for defense, such as self defense sprays? God has given some animals such as the skunk and the porcupine, natural ways to defend themselves, man was given intellect to devise ways to defend himself. We have designed defense spray, gun knives, and other things.

But is Pepper spray a weapon? It depends on the law in your state, county or city. Currently, pepper spray is legal in all 50 states, however a number of cities and states have restrictions on sizes, strengths, etc. If you have a question, it is wise to check with you local city or state attorney's office. Defense sprays should only be purchased by those 18 years of age or older. You can Google a list of Pepper Spray restrictions, These list may not be totally accurate or complete so please check your state or local laws to see verify the laws you've seen on-line.

FOR THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION on pepper spray state laws, please check with your State, County, Province and Federal authorities regarding possession of Defense (pepper) Sprays.

Also various institutions and business can have their own rules, for example you can't carry pepper spay aboard air plane, or into certain state and federal buildings, or even some businesses.

It is interesting to note that in the state the young lady stays in defensive sprays are excluded as being classified as weapons.

I believe that it's classification depends who its intended use. If you were carrying a container of crushed Habanero pepper suspended in a spray bottle with water..how many people would classify this has a weapon. Almost no one! However, if you used this solution to attack someone, it would be. Almost no one considers a pen to be a weapon, but if used correctly you can kill someone with a pen, in which case it becomes a weapon. People are cleaver to be able to use almost anything as weapons. These have included pillows, plastic bags, piano wire, or even water. It's interesting that around 5.4 million deaths a year are caused by tobacco. Yet, no one classifies it as a weapon of mass destruction. While this could be because the people who use tobacco of their own free will, those affected by second hand smoke, did not.

Pepper Spray was designed as a NON-LETHAL self defense device, design to incapacitate someone so that you can escape danger, or in the case of law enforcement or military use, to allow you to subdue someone without any permanent harm.

On the flip side criminals have also used pepper spray as a means to incapacitate their victims before robbing them. One of the funniest things that I have read is where a robbery walked into his own pepper spray mist, and it took him as well.

As far a permanent harm for pepper spray, I'm only aware of one case where someone died from pepper spray. I saw it on 1000 ways to day, where an ex-con was being pulled over had shoved his pepper spray up is rectum, and when the cop pressed him against his car, the pepper spray went off ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8WIsg-aqSc )

Once again, it is YOUR RESPONSIBLY to find out what is legal where you live. In today's justice system, ordinary citizen are being punished for trying to protect themselves.

By V.C. Swindell, CEO Of Onyx Knight Enterprises
http://www.PepperEyes.com is dedicated to providing you with the best and most affordable personal protection products on the market to meet the security needs of you, your family members or your business, by assisting anyone who is unwilling to become a victim of crime. If you want to take personal responsibility for yourself, your home or your business, purchase our high quality discount personal protection products and arm yourself with the knowledge of the best way to stay secure in an ever-increasing violent world. In today's society being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option.


Article Source: Victor C Swindell