Rejected petition Allow adults (18+) to carry regulated defensive sprays for self-defence

Legalise safe, regulated pepper/OC sprays and gels for adults (18+) with strict controls.

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Every day in the UK people are attacked with knives or sexually assaulted. In 2024, over 50,000 knife offences and 71,000 rapes were recorded. Law-abiding citizens currently have almost no legal way to protect themselves.

The UK is one of the few developed countries where civilians cannot carry non-lethal defensive sprays or gels.

We ask the Government to allow adults aged 18+ to legally possess and carry regulated defensive sprays and gels for self-defence. Products should meet safety standards, be sold via licensed retailers with age checks, and exclude stun guns and tasers. Misuse or sale to minors should remain a criminal offence.

Why this matters: Regulated sprays give law-abiding people a safe, non-lethal way to stop or escape attacks, helping protect those most at risk.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.

You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.

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

Legalise pepper spray in England
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/742673

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.

Date submitted 2 November 2025
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