In the UK, carrying Pepper spray has a max 10 year prison sentence. So if you get caught using it on an attacker, you lose 10 years of your life as opposed to all of them.

apple_cores · 2021-03-15T22:35:57+00:00

This is insane. I always have pepper spray attached to my keys (I’m in the US). How did these laws pass over there??

IndividualRoutine661 · 2021-03-15T22:27:00+00:00

I’d rather be alive to defend myself from charges of assaulting my attacker than law abidingly dead. It gets old though and now in the U.K. we have to watch out for dog kidnappers as well as rapists.

elementalvirago · 2021-03-15T22:26:41+00:00

As my old man used to say, "Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6."

Referring to 12 person jury in a US court as opposed to 6 pallbearers.

chunkycasper · 2021-03-15T22:20:43+00:00

Carry heat spray. Nothing illegal about that.

Mcccy · 2021-03-15T22:44:46+00:00

Where I'm from is illegal to use pepper spray, but the law say nothing about carrying bleach water in a deodorant spray container and who am I to disobey the law?

Partypuppers · 2021-03-15T23:06:52+00:00

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UnpeacefulLily · 2021-03-15T23:15:20+00:00

Same in my country. I have this spray with Scotch bonnet oil dissolved in alcohol. I have used it twice on male neighbours who harassed me. Works wonders.

In a pinch, you can use the scotch bonnet oil to give heat to food.

eatchickpeas · 2021-03-16T00:12:41+00:00

the conviction rate for rape is less than 2%. i have a higher chance of going to jail for WEED or not paying A BLOODY PARKING TICKET than a rapist has of going to jail for a crime that causes mental health issues, ptsd, physical trauma etc

mmlemony · 2021-03-15T23:13:19+00:00

In the UK the police cracked down on knives so men started going around throwing drain cleaner in each other’s faces. Maybe if women started doing that to rapists then the police would realise that pepper spray is safer for everyone.

eachlr · 2021-03-15T22:56:38+00:00

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HolyIsTheLord · 2021-03-15T23:48:36+00:00

Carry it anyway, spray the attacker with it, and tell the police it was his and you grabbed it when he tried to use it on you.

Ten year sentence for him, which would be more severe for a rape charge probably.

Modern problems require modern solutions. 👉🧠

whiterabbit818 · 2021-03-15T23:14:37+00:00

I couldn’t even buy it when I lived in the US Northeast. So when I would visit family in the Midwest I would drive it or mail it to myself (cause you cannot fly with it obviously) . I have story too—— in about 2009 I was visiting Boston and doing the tourist stuff. Me and my friends went to the USS constitution ship and the people doing the x-rays before you boarded the ship yelled at me, confiscated (stole) my pepper spray and threatened to arrest me because I was carrying it. I didn’t know they were going to do the x-ray thing - they didn’t do it in any other place - so I wouldn’t have brought it with me, but it was just on my keychain I didn’t think about it. Also the USS constitution is on something called the “freedom Trail“ that you can follow around Boston to all the revolutionary war sites. The irony was crazy. Not that I need an excuse to carry it, but I was a 25-year-old woman who worked third shift living in New York City which is why I had that pepper spray. And because I’ve never been trained with a gun although I wish I had been ...I’m a little afraid of them but I still kind of want one.

frustratedanon123 · 2021-03-15T23:11:16+00:00

I used to work corrections and have been pepper sprayed directly in the eyes 3 times to pass trainings. This law is absolutely and obscenely ridiculous.

yoursultana · 2021-03-15T22:17:10+00:00

Ah yes. What does that signal to women? When we are punished for any avenues we take to defend ourselves. But the men who abuse, rape, and murder us receive pats on the back. It’s incredibly infuriating.

Important_Page_6846 · 2021-03-16T00:35:07+00:00

The oppression of women and the entitlement of our bodies is enshrined into law the world over.

viell · 2021-03-15T23:01:32+00:00

I live in London, and I'm telling what's been happening recently has been insane. They should totally change this, women just aren't safe and they should be able to protect themselves

Fuckdoesithurt956 · 2021-03-15T23:06:00+00:00

It's illegal to carry anything with intent to harm, at most you can carry around this red paint you're supposed to throw on your attacker, but I checked reviews and apparently it washes off easily. However, hairspray or bugspray etc can be carried on your person because they are not designed as weapons, they have other practical uses. If you wear a belt and are able you could also swing the buckle end at their heads. But this relies on being able to reach those items as soon as you realise you're being assaulted. I think these laws are stupid and need to be updated, but I am worried these tools will be usurped by men to hurt women and claim self-defence. I know women do abuse too but it's also really likely an abusive man will pepperspray his wife after an argument and pretend he felt threatened.

millennialpink2000 · 2021-03-15T22:21:04+00:00

Cops (ergo rapists, abusers, murderers) don't want to be pepper sprayed when they attack women. Much easier to punish us fore even trying to fight back and ensuring we stay nice, easy prey

It's sickening

thinktwiceorelse · 2021-03-15T23:34:58+00:00

Women should be allowed to carry weapons, because, as they love to remind us, men are physically stronger than us, and have an advantage over us. I hope laws over there are gonna change, considering what's happening in the UK right now. I'm living in the shithole of a country but at least I can carry pepper spray alright. That's crazy you're not allowed to protect yourself as a woman in the UK?!

liberty_5-30000 · 2021-03-16T00:50:59+00:00

I just gave my 16 yr old daughter pepper spray. Where I live a male judge let out a violent rapist without an ankle monitor because the crime was against his ex girlfriend

Guess what happened? yep he killed her. As a mom I read your post and comments so I have a better understanding of the world my girls are entering. Thank you for letting me join this group. Best

Edit: they wanted to name the local high school after the judge. It was one mistake that he was sorry for in in an otherwise illustrious career.

Smart-Platypus6762 · 2021-03-15T23:55:04+00:00

Is Bear Spray legal in the UK? It’s less effective than pepper spray but it’s legal in many places in the US where pepper spray isn’t allowed.

In the US, there are certain locations where pepper spray is illegal. However, it is very unlikely a jury would convict you for using pepper spray against an attacker even if it’s illegal. Does the UK have similar jury nullification?

TopCoatCarrot · 2021-03-16T02:27:04+00:00

Men who rape don’t get 10 years most of the time. The whole population of women should revolt

Throwawayrightaway28 · 2021-03-16T01:13:01+00:00

That laws a joke. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Suppose a woman does use pepper spray on her assailant? Well, that means she probably got away. So there’s no need to worry about consequences. And who is going to make a complaint against her? The guy who tried to assault her? This is a truly victimless crime.

Khentiamentiu42 · 2021-03-15T22:56:05+00:00

It should be legal for women only though and if the police are like 'what about it making it harder to arrest women offenders' uh, what was, so hard about arresting offenders in your own establishment in the first place? Hell, could have at least fired them.

Dexaroo5716 · 2021-03-16T01:44:26+00:00

No body, no crime. Just sayin.

popsthrowsup · 2021-03-16T02:40:00+00:00

Yup.

When I played softball I always kept my bat, mitt and balls in the Trunk of my car, it would occasionally get in the way and ppl would ask why I kept it loose in the car. It was because I could do some serious damage with some of those bats and If asked about it if I needed to beat someone, I just “came back from softball practice”

It wasn’t a weapon “laying in wait”

I also feel a lot of this is “illegal” but I don’t think I’ve seen someone actually get punished for it.

The first time I’ve found the Uk thing out, it was from a article where a woman used pepper spray on her attacker. They mentioned the law and then that she wouldn’t be convicted.

I know in the US woman have mini ones on their keychain. I even saw a woman who was advertising her own “tactical” keychains that had some things like pepper spray, noise makers, lights etc on it

If I can find it again I’ll post it

ceramicunicorn · 2021-03-16T02:57:12+00:00

Hey, I gave a lot of thought on a personal safety device due to my night running/walks, and I went with an alarm with LED flashing light for a number of reasons.

Inexpensive, small, can be worn around neck, no subscription fee, does not require cell service in case I am in a remote area/my phone is taken, it’s loud and bright, figured it would distract the attacker enough to where I’d have time to either kick him in the balls or just run if he doesn’t have a hold on me (I have pretty good speed), and if I’m hurt, it alerts others to my presence, who might help.

I didn’t choose pepper spray, because I was worried about it blowing back on me, and also I’m not all that hefty so if something went wrong I was concerned about him grabbing it and using it on me. Any thoughts on this?

It’s so wild that these conversations need to be had, and there are still so many men out there who are more concerned with their hurt feelings because feminists are mean, than engaging with men around them to change the culture women are responding to.

mandoa_sky · 2021-03-16T01:11:09+00:00

carry hair spray instead. maybe less painful but does propell

Gourmay · 2021-03-16T02:45:17+00:00

I carried pepper spray when I lived in the UK; I got searched once when a lot of knifings had happened and I was glad I had it hidden in my makeup pouch. Such a dumb law.

I think we have a similar law in France but some tazers are allowed.. for reasons.

spinsterchachkies · 2021-03-16T01:12:41+00:00

The right to protection is one of the only things the US really has going for it. Women can carry mace and pepper spray and in some states guns and knives. If the US loses that it’s like what else is there? Lol

Khentiamentiu42 · 2021-03-16T04:46:26+00:00

I did not expect this big response wow, I just wanted to point out the depressing catch 22 women have when it comes to defending themselves. Ideally I would like to live in a world where men are raised better and held accountable, that is what would really help. Someone sent me a message telling me of a legal defense spray here in the UK which essentially tags your attacker with paint. I did not know we had anything like this. But also this is a tough time for women right now and I know reminders of this stuff are everywhere so I'm sorry if I triggered anyone.

MissYouMagdalen · 2021-03-16T05:37:58+00:00

If you cannot buy or carry pepper spray or tasers, get your yourself a mini airhorn like this https://www.autozone.com/steering-wheels-kits-and-accessories/horn/wolo-mini-handheld-horn/268335_0_0?

It won't disable an attacker but it is better than nothing.

Davina33 · 2021-03-16T09:29:05+00:00

Ladies! There is a petition in the U.K. to make pepper spray legal! Please all sign, we still have a few thousand signatures needed.

https://www.change.org/p/uk-parliament-legalise-the-use-and-possession-of-pepper-spray-in-the-uk-for-self-defence-purposes/psf/share?source_location=react-fe&psf_variant=combo&from_guest_psf=1&short_display_name=Sharnell%20&share_intent=1

Ok-Firefighter-2266 · 2021-03-15T23:02:44+00:00

It's things like this that actually make me kind of thankful for the U.S. and our crazy gun laws. We might be absolutely insane but at least we have the right to defend ourselves. I can't imagine living somewhere where I have zero right to self-defense.

yfunk3 · 2021-03-16T03:47:26+00:00

Pepper spray is illegal in my state, as are stun guns. I'm so pissed. I just try not to walk around alone at night...

Saitschik · 2021-03-15T23:34:02+00:00

I think women should be allowed to carry a gun and men shouldn't. Pepper spray is not enough.

That would make the world a safer place. over would be the times of walking home in fear with your keys in your hand.

But that's not gonna happen of course because it's so UnFaIR for men. That the threat of being raped and murdered when just walking home as a woman is quite "unfair" as well doesn't matter for scrotes.

Pasdepromesses · 2021-03-16T06:27:24+00:00

For women in the Netherlands, there are legal alternatives:

https://legalepepperspray.nl/

https://www.prepper-webshop.nl/tiw-defence-spray?gclid=Cj0KCQjwi7yCBhDJARIsAMWFScN8G1iV6B5ffhHKqgxFAuCnc24OAWPtkcRRmzVV4RJCSlngDOG4n40aAsv1EALw_wcB

https://www.shogun.nl/verdedigingsspray-stank-en-dna-sinist-protect.html

butteryrum · 2021-03-16T07:44:03+00:00

Well in that case, you can use something else then....

Spray deodorant must sting like a bitch. At least pepper spray while painful and sucks is made as a temp deterrent. Being forced to used things that are not meant for pepper spray will cause worse damage, not that I feel bad for a rapist or assailant or anything.

It's annoying, counter productive for all the reasons and I am with you.

fds_account58 · 2021-03-16T13:46:35+00:00

Countries with laws like this DO NOT CARE ABOUT WOMEN. Full stop.

randowordgenerator · 2021-03-15T22:47:05+00:00

Same thing in Canada.

USA! USA! USA!

Davina33 · 2021-03-16T09:12:28+00:00

I knew it was illegal but I didn't realise the sentence was so harsh! This is fucking sick. I carry Deep Heat spray as an alternative. Plenty of videos online about how to make your own pepper spray though. I hate how in England you aren't allowed to defend yourself! I still have a small pen knife on my car keys.

PinkBlair99 · 2021-03-16T13:30:59+00:00

I will defend my bodily sovereignty by any meany necessary.

Connect-Ad-9361 · 2021-03-16T18:35:20+00:00

Maybe this is my rebellious American spirit talking, but I'd just carry it anyways.

Fuck it. At least if they put me in prison it'll be all women there.

SeaNegotiation8 · 2021-03-16T07:07:03+00:00

I know that people have (legitimately) very strong feelings about guns, but I’m very thankful for the 9mm that my husband bought me. It’s small, discreet, I can conceal it easily if i’m out walking.

To me, a woman’s right to defend herself against an attacker - with lethal force if necessary - is absolute. Fortunately, the law in my state agrees with me.

howdoilogoutt · 2021-03-16T07:14:08+00:00

You can get some pretty good alternatives one in particular will dye your attacker purple! If you can't afford any just use deodorant and scream literally as loud as you can to scare them.

thecrazywitch31 · 2021-03-16T09:14:55+00:00

Why not carry pepper powder ? It is a very common ingredient in the kitchen.

Also, a lot of self defense articles on my area say this specific thing: if someone comes to your home and attacks you, run to the kitchen. A lot of things over there can be used as a weapon. Pepper powder : hurt the eyes. Knives : we know the use of this, heavy frying pans/pots : can be used to hit hard with a force.

Caution:

Do hide other things that can also be used as a weapon. If the person enters your kitchen, there is a possibility that he will also use them as a weapon against you. Last year a girl was murdered by her ex boyfriend in the area I live. Weapon ? Frying pan.

Honestly_th0 · 2021-03-17T04:37:44+00:00

I’ll protect myself first—laws be damned.

Pornruinedsociety · 2021-03-16T21:17:56+00:00

Could carry a stilletto in your bag? I'm thinking single white female.

horrorqueen797 · 2021-03-17T06:44:38+00:00

I was attacked by a huge dog ( had my hood up and owner was far too old to handle doggo and I nearly lost half my face. I'm scarred for life and I bought pepper spray. I got into an altercation with someone who knew I had it and sprayed herself with it. I was so scared she was seriously hurt I called an ambulance and the police to tell them I had pepper spray as some is made snide and can blind and cause burns.

I was charged but not arrested. The officer told me I was extremely lucky not to get 7 YEARS imprisonment.

What saved me was contacting the site I bought the pepper spray. I told him to send me one specifically for dogs.

I would definitely do it again if my safety was threatened though

Doggo is safe and still going strong. I met with him after to try and take the fear away. I didn't want his owners destroying him when he was definitely protecting his master.

Title	In the UK, carrying Pepper spray has a max 10 year prison sentence. So if you get caught using it on an attacker, you lose 10 years of your life as opposed to all of them.
Author	Khentiamentiu42
Upvotes	848
Comments	134
Date	March 15, 2021 8:48 PM UTC (5 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/FemaleDatingStrategy
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/FemaleDatingStrategy/comments/m5uhpw/in_the_uk_carrying_pepper_spray_has_a_max_10_year/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/FemaleDatingStrategy/in-the-uk-carrying-pepper-spray-has-a-max-10-year.767388 https://theredarchive.com/post/767388

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