Pepper spray, or Mace, serves as a practical, non-lethal self-defense option. However, it’s quite hard to buy in New York due to state regulations, which restrict sales to only specific licensed pharmacists and gun dealers.
But there might be a change on the horizon. A new bill introduced by State Senator Jessica Skullsera Spanton aims to lift these restrictions, allowing businesses to sell pepper spray, letting New Yorkers purchase it online, and having it shipped directly to homes without complications.
“This is all about ensuring people feel safer and have some means of defense against those with bad intentions,” said Spanton, a Democratic representative for New York’s 23rd district. “It’s common sense.”
Honestly, I can’t agree more. As a young woman living in New York City, I found that pepper spray was a real lifesaver in threatening situations. I always keep it on my keychain. I’ve had to pull it out a few times, but thankfully, I’ve never had to actually use it.
The closest I came to spraying someone was during a scary encounter in 2022, when I was chased through Union Square by strangers who were making violent threats.
I remember thinking this guy wouldn’t follow me when I ducked into a pharmacy, but he did. Cornered, I pulled out my mace, and he hesitated for a moment. It was terrifying.
There were also instances when I felt trapped in subway cars, just knowing I had the mace on me provided a little bit of comfort.
I’m fortunate to have family in New Jersey, where shipping pepper spray is permissible, unlike the hurdles New Yorkers face. I’m thankful lawmakers are finally taking action to address these issues for vulnerable residents.
In most states, there are reasonable regulations that prevent sales to minors and limit the sizes of canisters. Yet New York is among just three states that impose significant restrictions.
Hawaii, for instance, doesn’t allow online sales of pepper spray, while Massachusetts permits licensed firearms dealers to sell it.
Scarcelella-Spanton introduced Senate Bill S4922a to ease access for New Yorkers back in February.
“As a woman with a young staff member, I know she deserves the right to feel safe,” stated Scarcelella-Spanton, who represents parts of Staten Island and southern Brooklyn.
She added, “It’s an easy, non-lethal tool for feeling safe, whether you’re commuting to work or walking home.”
This promising bill has support from Democrats Joseph P. Adabo Jr. and Christopher J. Ryan, along with Republican Anthony H. Palumbo. It’s expected to be introduced soon and seems to be facing minimal opposition so far.
Scarcelella-Spanton emphasizes how frustrating it is to navigate New York’s pepper spray laws. She feels strongly that women shouldn’t face barriers to basic self-defense methods.
“As a mother of an 11-year-old daughter, my priority is ensuring that young women, and all of us, can feel secure,” Scarcelella-Spanton remarked. “I genuinely believe this could help save lives.”
