Can anyone explain the legality of carrying pepper spray in Washington, D.C.?

I know if you buy it in the District, it has to be registered. What if you buy pepper spray in Virginia, live in Virginia, and carry it into D.C.? I can't seem to find a clear answer on this.

(Cross-posted in MD/DE/DC htf.)

Thanks in advance.

Havent you kept up with what the Deputy district Mayor for public safety said? Your supposed to take your mugging and like it. Don't even think about defending yourself.

Yes, I saw that. However, I am determined to be a contrarian. Does anyone have an answer?

It is legal.
http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,568998.asp

Awesome, thanks. I may have to give them a call.

I read the same thing elsewhere, but I trust Arfcom more.

Make sure you carry a decent brand of pepper spray..there's alot of dollar store crap out there.

A pepper spray training class wouldn't hurt either - http://proactiveshooters.com/sabre-pepper-spray-civilian-safety-awareness-program-csap/

THIS. avoid the foam, have heard several PD friends state that if the person wipes it off as soon as it makes contact that there is very little effect because it has to "melt" some to release the full effect of it. now, im not PD and have never been directly sprayed so take that with a grain of salt but i know several that were issued the foam type went out and bought there own spray that was on the "approved for carry" list because of these complaints.

I don't read anything on that page that exempts a non-DC Resident from registering.

I've used both stream and foam, and have had good results. I remember this one guy I juiced with the foam!  Man I never saw anyone as big as he was cry like a baby!

I've been sprayed at least 12 times.....it never gets easier.

which is why i said take it with a grain of salt. i can see someone wiping away most of the foam but if you gave them a big enough hit of it i couldnt see how it wouldnt have some effect on them. i got hit one day while doing EMS standby while the local USCG was spraying the new guys so they could be on the boarding team. the wind switch direction and started whipping around the area they were spraying and when they sprayed the last guy me along with 4 aux USCG guys got hit with the mist. wasnt fun so i can only imagine what a full hit would feel like. needless to say the next year we did it in an open area from then on. in the loading dock wasnt a good idea after all. LOL.

Thanks for the responses.

How's Sabre? It's what the local guy has in stock.

Also, remember most venues, museums in DC have bag checks.  So if they see the pepperspray they will confiscate it most likely.  Has nothing to do w/ the law, just the facility's policy.  Coworker had her spray taken at  the entrance to the Verizon Center before a Hockey game.

This guy I know has carried a knife into the Verizon Center and a few of the Smithsonian museums. They do bag checks but those metal detectors must be for show. Maybe they just don't use them all the time.  

Anyway, is Sabre any good?

There was a thread on here (not the HTF) about pepper sprays a while back. Lots of people recommended FoxLabs FWIW.

Sabre is the best...hands down.  If you take the class, you'll even get a pepper spray unit to keep as part of the class.

What class are we talking about?

The one that I mentioned to you a few posts ago - http://proactiveshooters.com/sabre-pepper-spray-civilian-safety-awareness-program-csap/

Here are some of the relevant statutes:



All of the above is about as clear as mud.  As a layman, I read it to tell me that:

1) under D.C. Code 7-2503.13, I can only possess pepper spray that contains a mixture of lacrimator including chloroacetophenone, alphacloracetophenone, phenylchloromethylketone, orthochlorobenazalm-alononitrile or oleoresin capsicum;

2) under D.C. Code 7-2501.01(7)(C), I cannot possess a spray containing tear gas or similar substances;

3) under D.C. Code 7-2502.13(a), which regulates the possession of "self-defense spray," I can only possess "self-defense spray" if I am over 18 years of age and I register the self-defense spray at the time of purchase by completing a standard registration form [available by calling (202) 727-4275 (Ref:  http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,568998.asp)]; and

4) under D.C. Code 7-2502.13(b),  my vendor must forward the registration form to the Metro PD if I am to be allowed to possess the self-defense spray in DC.

I'm unclear how anyone comes the conclusion that it is lawful to carry pepper spray purchased outside of the District in the District.  To me, the law clearly states that any pepper spray possessed in the District must be registered with the Metro PD.  Is there case law which constrains the application of the above only to pepper spray purchased in DC?

See, the above is a good question.

But I called Metro PD yesterday and asked whether, if I bought pepper spray in Virginia, I would have to register it in DC to carry it in DC. The lady unequivocally said no. I asked again if I could bring it into the District and carry it with me without registering it, and she said "there's nothing to prohibit that." This mirrors the experience of a poster above and comments I've read at least one or two other places online. So it seems like they're being pretty consistent.

The District's PD is not really the best source for legal information.  Case in point: http://m.washingtontimes.com/blog/guns/2012/feb/27/miller-buying-ammunition-dc/

I'd really like to get a definitive answer on this since I work in DC.  Anyone have anything? It'd be nice to get an opinion letter from the AG's office.

The PD are not attorneys.

Police are not legal council. You want advice, contact your lawyer.

The way the district is, if they want OC registered in DC that was bought in DC, they will want the same for OC bought outside the District.

The motto in DC is Be a victim, you will heal and you can replace whatever is taken. Well I guess everything accept your life.  I would say no way in DC

I simply offer the PD's comments for what they are worth.  Some more reliable information would be welcome, but no one seems to have any.  Registering it would seem to be the safe option.