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

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.

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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.

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.

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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 3 November 2025
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