Self-Defense Sprays: Registration Requirements and Use in DC

Certain Self-Defense Sprays, or Pepper Sprays, are permitted in DC, provided the person in possession of the spray follows the regulations detailed in the DC Code. These regulations include meeting certain age requirements and registering the product with the Metropolitan Police Department.

District of Columbia Laws regarding the registration and use of Self-Defense Spray:

D.C. Code 7-2502.12
Definition of self defense sprays: “Self-defense spray” means a mixture of a lacrimator including chloroacetophenone, alphachloracetophenone, phenylchloromethylketone, orthochlorobenazalm-alononitrile, or oleoresin capsicum.

D.C. Code 7-2502.13
Possession of self-defense sprays:

(a) A person 18 years of age or older may possess and use a self-defense spray in the exercise of reasonable force in the defense of the person or the person’s property only if it is propelled from an aerosol container, labeled with or accompanied by clearlywritten instructions as to its use, and dated to indicate its anticipated useful life.

(b) No person shall possess a self-defense spray which is of a type other than that specified in 7-2502.12 to 7-2502.14.

D.C. Code 7-2502.14
Registration of Self Defense Sprays:

(a) A person 18 years of age or older must register the self-defense spray at the time of purchase by completing the standard registration form.

(b) The vendor must forward the registration form to the Metropolitan Police Department.

For more information or to receive a Self-Defense Spray Registration form they can call the Gun Control and Firearms Registration Unit at (202) 727-4275.