Mace.. Legal in Virginia??

Question

Is it legal for a 27 year-old woman to carry concealed pepper spray on her for protection in the state of Virginia? How do I find out what the laws are?

And where do you buy mace??

I'm thinking something that attatches to my key ring.

Answer 1

Mace is legal in the Commonwealth of Virginia. You can carry it concealed without the need of a permit. I have linked section 18,2-308 of the Code of Virginia for you. It list the weapons that you may not carry concealed without a permit. (Virginia no longer offers Carry Concealed Weapon Permits for anything except firearms.)

You can purchase Mace and OC/Pepper Spray at most gun shops and at some military surplus stores.

Mace is a chemical agent used to irritate mucus membranes. If you purchase a cannister, do not expose it to direct sunlight or heat for extended periods of time. (IE: do not leave it on the dashboard of your car. I've seen fellow deputies do it, then they have to tell the Sherriff why their patrol car is no longer habitable.) I will warn you, Mace seeps in to everything. Try to avoid using it inside, especially your home. If you spray it on drywall, you will have to tear it out or you will be suffering the effects every time you walk by that section for about a year.

I prefer OC/Pepper Spray. It is made from the oil of peppers. It does the same thing as Mace, which is irritating the mucous membranes. (Eyes, nose, mouth, pores.) Same warning, don't leave it exposed to direct heat and sunlight. (Keep it in your pocket or purse, or your trunk if you are leaving it in your car.) Also, I am resistant to Mace. Doesn't do too much to me, I can fight through the exposure. I hate hate hate hate hate when I have to be sprayed with OC. Through my training, I can force my eyes open and work through the incessant coughing and burning. But if I had not been trained, I know that I would be panicking every time I get exposed.

I would encourage you to get an OC/Pepper Spray cannister, or an OC and Mace mix. The style that attaches to your key ring is good, as you will probably have it with you if it is needed. You may have an option of the deployment style: Cone, stream, and foam. I suggest cone, as it's wider and will have a better chance of getting in the eyes and into the respiratory system. (Do not spray into the wind!) Stream is effective also, but requires better aim. Foam is OK, but you have less in a container and the range is shorter. Plus, it can be flung back at you.

A word of advice: Whichever chemical agent you get (even if it is not your first choice) it is designed for defense, not offense. Spray it, and get away! Aim for their eyes, nose, and mouth. (Some agencies teach that you spray in a "Z" to get the entire face. From experience, I know that once that spray comes out, they are going to protect their face.) If you get caught in the blow back, ignore it. Ignore the coughing and burning. Force your eyes open. And move! Don't stop moving.

Be careful out there. There are too many sick and dangerous people out there. I know, I've dealt with too many of 'em.

Answer 2

Mace and Pepper spray are two different things.

I do not know the law in Virginia, but in California I had to get a permit to carry Mace.

I had to take a class offered by the local police department.

I do not think that pepper spray requires a permit in California.

I would say that both Mace and pepper spray appear to be equally effective.

Apparently pepper spray is safer than Mace, however.



I was told by the Police Officers that taught the class that I took for my permit is that some people are severly affected by Mace and may stop breathing.

In other words, apparently you can kill someone with Mace. You are much less likely to kill someone with pepper spray according to the police officers that taught the class that I took for my permit.

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Answer 3

Concealed Pepper Spray

Answer 4

Call the police non-emergency number in the town in Virginia you are concerned with. Ask them. Who would know better than the local law enforcement agency???
Good luck and may God bless you.

Answer 5

You can call your local Police Department and the COPS can tell you if it is legal...I mean they are the cops. If it is legal then just go on-line and you should not have any difficulties on where to purchase it.

Answer 6

store or carry a mag flashlight