Pepper spray is one of the finest and most well-rounded defensive implements available to the average citizen.
Filling an important niche between verbal judo and lethal force, a good dose of pepper spray is highly likely to shut down an attacker before the attack actually begins.
Although it is legal in all 50 states throughout the nation, state laws governing pepper spray and other defensive sprays do vary. Luckily, Connecticut is a state with highly permissive laws concerning such sprays.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about owning and carrying pepper spray in the state of Connecticut.
Your Connecticut Pepper Spray Passport
The following facts are the most crucial to understand concerning the ownership, carry and use of pepper spray in Connecticut:
- All common varieties and formulations of defensive spray are legal for civilians to use in Connecticut. Pepper spray and tear gas are allowed, as are other non-lethal chemical sprays like mace.
- Connecticut imposes no restriction on capacity or overall quantity concerning defensive sprays in the hands of civilians. Carry of large and extra large canisters is legal.
- Pepper spray should only be used on another person in cases of legitimate self-defense. The misuse of pepper spray or any other defensive spray in Connecticut will likely earn you felony criminal charges.
Keep reading to learn more about pepper spray laws throughout Connecticut.
Can You Legally Carry Pepper Spray in Connecticut?
Yes, you sure can. Pepper spray, tear gas and other defensive sprays are entirely legal for citizens to carry throughout Connecticut, whether or not you are a resident or visitor.
No one needs a concealed weapons permit or any other special permission to carry pepper spray, and you may carry it openly or concealed as it serves your purposes.
Similarly, pepper spray may be carried in the cabin of a vehicle or kept in a glove box or other compartment with no restrictions.
Pepper spray can go to most places in the state, but certain restricted areas like government buildings and the secure area beyond the security checkpoint in an airport are still off-limits.
How Much Pepper Spray Can You Carry in Connecticut?
One of the best things about Connecticut’s pepper spray laws is it imposes no restriction whatsoever on capacity or the overall quantity that civilians may carry.
This means you’re entirely within your rights to carry an extra large canister suitable for riot busting if it pleases you or if you anticipate needing to defend your home or business against an angry mob.
Alternatively, you may carry a small canister on your key ring or one that fits within your pocket just the same.
If desired, you may even carry multiple canisters…
What Pepper Spray Formulas are Legal in Connecticut?
There is a lot to like about Connecticut’s laws concerning pepper spray because they hardly have it! This extends to the type, or formula, of defensive spray that a person might choose.
Of course, legitimate pepper spray, or OC, is legal and viable but you might also choose any common formulation of tear gas spray or chemical Mace. Blends of these common sprays are also permissible.
Keep in mind, pepper spray and other defensive spray formulations are categorized as non-lethal weapons because they are not designed to inflict any lasting harm or injury.
Generally, you can be assured of such if you purchase a product from a reputable manufacturer of such chemicals.
Trying to brew your own at home, repurposing other aerosol chemicals for the purpose, or purchasing sprays from unknown or shady vendors might mean that the sprays are anything but harmless in the end.
Consider that the criminal misuse of pepper spray or tear gas spray will likely result in felony criminal charges being brought against you in Connecticut, and choose accordingly. See the next section for more details.
When Can You Legally Use Pepper Spray in Connecticut?
Under Connecticut law, the use of pepper spray against another person is justified in self-defense, so long as the use of pepper spray is proportional to the threatened unlawful use of force against you.
Put another way, you could use pepper spray on someone who’s threatening to punch you, kick you, push you, or generally beat you up, or someone threatening you with any weapon.
However, you could not use pepper spray against someone who is only yelling at you, calling you names, or otherwise not threatening you with imminent and unlawful force.
Connecticut state statutes 53a-61, 53a-63, and 53a-64 cover the factors that constitute assault.
Familiarize yourself with them so that you can be sure your use of pepper spray in self-defense is indeed justified.
Section 53a-61 – Assault in the third degree: Class A misdemeanor.
(a) A person is guilty of assault in the third degree when: (1) With intent to cause physical injury to another person, he causes such injury to such person or to a third person; or (2) he recklessly causes serious physical injury to another person; or (3) with criminal negligence, he causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon, a dangerous instrument or an electronic defense weapon.
(b) Assault in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor and any person found guilty under subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this section shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year which may not be suspended or reduced.
…
Section 53a-63 – Reckless endangerment in the first degree: Class A misdemeanor.
(a) A person is guilty of reckless endangerment in the first degree when, with extreme indifference to human life, he recklessly engages in conduct which creates a risk of serious physical injury to another person.
(b) Reckless endangerment in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor.
…
Section 53a-64 – Reckless endangerment in the second degree: Class B misdemeanor.
(a) A person is guilty of reckless endangerment in the second degree when he recklessly engages in conduct which creates a risk of physical injury to another person.
(b) Reckless endangerment in the second degree is a class B misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the strongest pepper spray you can carry in Connecticut?
Connecticut does not have any restriction on the strength of pepper spray or any other defensive spray that is legal for civilians to carry.
You can carry the strongest formula you want so long as it does not inflict any lasting harm or permanent injury on someone in normal use.
Again, all sprays of this nature that are marketed and sold for civilian use by reputable manufacturers in the sector are probably going to be just fine in this regard, you won’t have anything to worry about.
However, legally, the buck will stop with you should you choose to carry and deploy any pepper spray or tear gas of a questionable quality that does inflict serious injury on someone.
Will you go to jail if you pepper spray someone?
Yes, it is a distinct possibility. The best possible outcome in any self-defense encounter involving your use of pepper spray is to be cleared at the scene. However, this is rare.
It is quite possible that you could be arrested in the aftermath of the encounter and even taken to jail.
Prepare accordingly and have this discussion with your family attorney or chosen self-defense attorney.
Is pepper spray considered a deadly weapon?
No, as a rule. The very nature of pepper spray, tear gas sprays, and the like is that they are not designed to inflict serious bodily harm or death upon the target.
Though they inflict a tremendous amount of pain and discomfort, this pain is short-lived and usually leaves no lasting injury.
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