Submitted on Thursday 9th October 2025
Rejected on Thursday 13th November 2025
Current status: Rejected
Rejection code: duplicate (see below for details)
Review the 'Firearms Act 1968' to remove pepper spay as a prohibited weapon.
Currently pepper spray is classified as a prohibited weapon in the UK under the Firearms Act 1968. Which makes it illegal to possess, buy, or carry pepper spray. It should be declassified as a prohibited weapon in order for it to be used for self-defence only.
Violence against women has been declared as a national emergency in England and Wales. And yet women and girls do not have access to adequate self-defence tools in the UK. As pepper spray is illegal they live in fear if they are attacked (as 1in3 women are) and defend themselves it is either not enough; or they may be prosecuted for using something as effective as pepper spray. Many European countries allow for the use of pepper spray (many need permits or have age restrictions) for self-defence
You can't sign this petition because it was rejected. But you can still comment on it here at Repetition.me!
The Government e-Petitions Team gave the following reason:
There's already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.
You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.
You may wish to sign the following petition, which calls for similar action:
Legalise pepper spray in England
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/742673
216.73.217.50 Sun, 21 Jun 2026 06:22:07 +0100
