Pepper spray is an irritant that works from a spray can and can be used against humans and mammals. The active ingredient capsaicin is derived from plants of the genus Capsicum, which is also found in chili, Spanish pepper, peppers, pepperoncini, or pepperoni, explaining the name.
This leads to the effects of pepper spray:
Eyes: intense burning pain and swelling of the mucous membranes cause the eyelids to close immediately for about five to ten minutes.
Breathing: Inhaling pepper spray leads to coughing and shortness of breath, rarely choking.
Skin: The sprayed areas "burn" and show itching for 15 to 40 minutes. Depending on the dosage, it may take up to 48 hours for the effects to subside.
All these effects occur immediately or within a few seconds.
The use of pepper spray is possible for self-defense against household dogs, wild animals, or humans (emergency or self-defense) as a means of defense or distance weapon. To circumvent the legal classification as a weapon and thus the examination and regulations under the Weapons Act (e.g., range limitation to 2 m) in Germany, many defense sprays have the note "For animal defense only" (or similar) printed on them. The use against humans is only permitted in the event of an emergency and an unlawful attack as self-defense. The use by enforcement officers, especially the police and military police, is carried out by special permission from the responsible ministries.
Due to the increased security needs of the population, the demand for pepper spray significantly increased in 2015 and 2016 and can now also be purchased in drugstores and supermarkets. Previously, acquisition was only possible in specialized stores.
The spray pattern of pepper spray can correspond to a conical mist or a jet. The range of commercially available devices is 1.5 to 5 m. The advantage of the mist cloud is that the probability of hitting sensitive areas of the attacking assailant or attacking animal is higher; however, the range is significantly less than that of a liquid jet.
For use against humans, irritant spray devices may only be possessed from the age of 14. The contained irritant must also be approved as harmless to health. Furthermore, the range and spray duration of irritant spray devices must not exceed certain limits. To prove these properties, a corresponding test mark from the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt must be affixed to them. Animal defense sprays are not subject to any comparable restrictions. However, they may not be carried during demonstrations or on the way there.
Animal defense sprays usually contain the active ingredient oleoresin capsicum. This is not approved for irritant spray devices. The testing procedure required for approval would necessitate animal testing, which cannot be conducted under the applicable Animal Protection Act. Other active ingredients such as 2-chlorobenzylidene malonic acid dinitrile or omega-chloroacetophenone were approved before the stricter Animal Protection Act came into force. Possession of irritant spray devices with an unapproved active ingredient constitutes a violation of the Weapons Act.
If pepper spray is used against a person, it generally fulfills the criteria for dangerous bodily harm. However, criminal liability is excluded if a justification such as self-defense is present. A self-defense action is permissible with both an irritant spray device and an animal defense spray.
Authorized enforcement officers such as police officers may also carry pepper spray for immediate coercion against humans.
Those looking for pepper spray for animal defense can also find it through Gunfinder, as most online portals and platforms like EGun, Auctronia, or Auctronia, as well as numerous shooting and hunting shops, have integrated pepper spray into their offerings.
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