FAQ

We know you might have some questions about our products; here is a list of a few frequently asked questions to help you. If the answer to your question isn’t listed here, please contact us and we will be happy to help!

 

What is a Pepper Spray?

 

Pepper Spray is a careful blend of oleoresin capsicum (OC Pepper) in a non-flammable vehicle. Some formulations may contain tear gas and/or an invisible UV dye. Mace brand pepper sprays are formulated to be an effective, less-than-lethal means of self defense.

 

What are the different Mace Formulas and patterns

 

Mace Personal Defense, Inc. manufactures several formulas—such as traditional tear gas sprays, blended sprays and OC pepper sprays—in a variety of models and spray patterns. Considering the effects and benefits of each will help you decide which is right for you.

 

FORMULAS

 

OC Pepper Oleoresin capsicum is a naturally occurring substance derived from hot peppers. OC Pepper causes an intense burning sensation to the skin, eyes and throat upon contact. Mace® defense sprays are available in different strengths to satisfy virtually every requirement.

 

Tear Gas is a lachrymatory agent or lachrymator which stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes thereby causing profuse tearing and pain, an intense burning sensation to the skin and shortness of breath. Common lachrymators include CN tear gas (omega-chloroacetophenone) and CS tear gas (ortho-chlorobenzalmalononitrile).

 

UV Dye As an added defense, many of our formulations contain an ultraviolet dye. The dye will invisibly mark an assailant which may aid in identification

 

Blended Sprays Mace® Triple Action formula combines OC Pepper, CN tear gas and UV dye. The advantage of this formula is that it that you don’t have to hit the attacker in the face; even if you hit them in the chest the tear gas will affect them.

 

Animal Sprays Mace Personal Defense, Inc. also manufactures products for use as deterrents against dogs and bears. Our Muzzle® Canine Pepper Spray and Bear Pepper Mace® are EPA registered products and serve to round out our product line.

SPRAY PATTERNS

 

Gel Pepper Gel® is a patent pending formula, in which the OC pepper is suspended in a sticky gel. The gel formula offers several advantages: it sprays farther and will stick to a person’s face on contact. It is also less contaminating to the surrounding area than other sprays, making it ideal for indoor use or for use in windy conditions. A MK-III unit sprays a distance up to 18 feet.

 

Stream The ballistic stream pattern is the most common in defense sprays and is available in the widest vari¬ety of models. Stream units deliver a blast of active agent in a targeted liquid stream. A MK-III unit sprays a range of between 8 to 12 feet.

 

Fogger Foggers dispense in a cone-shaped pattern to quickly blanket a large area. A MK-III unit will reach up to 8 feet.

 

Foam The thick foam formula discharges in a blast to cover an attacker’s face, making it difficult to see, while the pepper forces the eyes to slam shut. A MK-III unit will spray a distance of 8 to 10 feet.

 

What are the effects of pepper sprays? How long do they last?

 

Upon direct contact with eyes, respiratory system and mucous membranes, the active ingredients in the pepper spray will cause eyes to slam shut, coughing, and an intense burning sensation to the skin. Some formulations contain tear gas which causes profuse tearing, an intense burning sensation to the face and disorientation. Effects should lessen in approximately 45 minutes.

 

What if I accidentally spray myself or someone else?

 

In case of accidental exposure to the contents of your pepper spray, follow these first aid instructions: Remove contact lenses and contaminated clothing immediately. Flush contaminated area with large quantities of cool water or a diluted baking soda solution and expose the area to fresh air as soon as possible. Do not apply salves, creams, oils or lotions as they can trap the irritant agent against the skin and result in blisters or burns. Consult a physician if irritation persists. Contaminated clothing should be washed or dry-cleaned, as appropriate, prior to re-use to prevent skin injury.

 

Caution: failure to follow these instructions may result in first or second degree burns, severe skin irritation, depigmentation or other skin injury.

 

What is the proper way to store pepper spray?

 

Store your Pepper Spray in cool dry area away from heat, flame or strong light. Do not store it in an environment where the temperature may exceed 120 degrees F (50 degrees C) such as an enclosed vehicle. The Pepper Spray cartridge may leak from over pressurization and fail to function properly. Do not store unit in a cold environment under 32 degrees F (0 degrees C). This may cause depressurization and the loss of effective range.

 

Can I use the pepper spray after it’s expired?

 

Mace Defense Sprays have a shelf life of four years from the date of manufacture and each Mace unit is labeled with an expiration date. An expired unit is not likely to have the amount of pressurization needed to spray properly. Expired units should be disposed of in accordance with all local, state and federal regulations.

 

Can I travel on an airplane with a Mace Pepper Spray?

 

Under current FAA regulation pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage only. One 118 ml or 4 fl. oz. container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharge. For additional information, please visit www.tsa.gov

 

Is it legal to carry a Pepper Spray?

 

In Belgium it is classified as a prohibited weapon, and it is illegal for anyone other than police officers to carry a capsicum spray.[21] The use by the security services of public transport companies is also authorised after obtaining permission from the minister of internal affairs.[22]

 

In Denmark possession of pepper spray is illegal for private citizens. As of 2008, police officers carry pepper spray as part of their standard equipment. This was introduced following the shooting of a number of mentally ill citizens – in 2006 also killing 4 people[23] – who had behaved violently or in a threatening manner, leaving the police force in want of a defensive, non-lethal weapon. However, the police have also continued carrying guns, using them as frequently as before, causing the Danish civil liberties organization KRIM to conclude that pepper spray has not displaced the use of guns, but merely added to the arsenal of weapons of the police force.[24]

 

In Finland it is classified as a device governed by the firearm act and possession of pepper spray requires a licence. Licences are issued for defensive purposes and to individuals working jobs where such a device is needed such as the private security sector.[25] The Finnish Supreme Court, although, has recently ruled in KKO:2010:7 that owning a pepper spray in itself is not a punishable act; but on the other hand, carrying one can be punished as a device capable of harming other people.

 

In Germany pepper sprays labelled for the purpose of defence against animals may be owned and carried by anyone (even minors). Such sprays are not legally considered as weapons §1. Carrying it at (or on the way to and from) demonstrations may still be punished [26] Sprays that are not labelled "animal-defence spray" or do not bear the test mark of the Materialprüfungsanstalt de:Materialprüfungsanstalt (MPA) (material testing institute) are classified as prohibited weapons. Justified use against humans as self-defence is allowed.[27] CS sprays bearing a test mark of the MPA may be owned and carried by anyone over the age of 14.[28]

 

In Hungary pepper spray is reserved for law enforcement (including civilian members of the auxiliary police), civilians may carry canisters filled with maximum 20 gramms of any other lachrymatory agent. However there is no restriction for pepper gas pistol cartridges.[29]

 

In Ireland, an Garda Síochána have recently been given pepper spray in an attempt to reduce attacks on its officers, however they remain an unarmed force. Possession of this spray by persons other than Gardaí is an offence under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, as the spray is legally classed as a firearm.

In Iceland possession of pepper spray is illegal for private citizens. Police officers carry pepper spray as part of their standard equipment.

 

In Latvia pepper spray in canisters is classified as a self-defence device and can be bought and carried by anyone over 16 years of age, and pepper spray handguns can be bought and carried without any licence by anyone over 18.

 

In the Netherlands pepper spray is illegal for civilians to own and carry. Only police officers who are trained in the specific use of pepper spray are allowed to carry and use it against civilians and animals.

 

In Norway pepper spray is illegal for civilians. Police officers are allowed to carry pepper spray as part of their standard equipment

 

In Poland hand-held pepper spray (called precisely in Polish Penal Code "a hand-held disabling gas thrower") is considered a weapon, but can be carried by anyone over 18 without further registration or permission[30].

 

In Russia pepper sprays are classified as a self-defence device (not a weapon) and can be carried by anyone over 18. Usage against humans is legal. OC is not the only agent used, CS, CR, PAM (МПК) and (rarely) CN are also perfectly legal and highly popular.

 

In Slovakia pepper spray is classified as a self-defence weapon, and it is available to anyone over 18. Use against humans is officially prohibited.

 

In Switzerland pepper sprays are classified as a self-defence device (not a weapon) and can be carried by anyone. Use against humans is legal.[31]

 

In Spain approved pepper spray made with 5% CS is available to anyone older than 18 years. Recently adopted for some civilian use, OC pepper spray (e.g. one of 22 grams, with no registration DGSP-07-22-SDP, is approved by the Ministry of Health and Consumption).

 

In Sweden, possession of pepper spray is legal with a weapons possession license. Police officers, prison officers, and military police have pepper spray possession licenses.[citation needed]

In the United Kingdom, "Any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing" is a Prohibited Weapon, under S.5 of The Firearms Act 1968. The same act covers other prohibited weapons such as automatic firearms and rocket launchers, all of which can only be possessed by permission of the Home Secretary. Although legal for police officers, recent debates have arisen whether such a weapon should be legal for civilians as means of defensive purposes only.[citation needed]