Pepper spray, aka mace, is an efficient, non-lethal type of self-defense. And but, it’s nearly unattainable to get in New York, due to a state regulation that bans transport it to addresses right here and solely permits specifically licensed pharmacists and firearm sellers to promote it.
However which may lastly change quickly. A brand new invoice proposed by State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton would take away restrictions on which companies can promote pepper spray and let New York residents purchase pepper spray on-line and ship it to their properties with out problem.
“That is about, in the beginning, ensuring individuals really feel safer and really feel they’ve some protection towards somebody who has nefarious intent,” Scarcella-Spanton, a Democrat representing New York’s twenty third District, advised The Put up. “It’s simply very, quite common sense.”
She’s completely proper. As a younger girl dwelling in New York Metropolis, pepper spray has been my saving grace in sticky conditions with predators on the road. I at all times carry it on my keychain. I’ve solely needed to brandish it three or 4 occasions, and, fortunately, I’ve by no means needed to deploy it.
The closest I got here to really spraying somebody was in 2022 once I was aggressively pursued in Union Sq. for blocks by a stranger who threatened to rape me.
I ran right into a pharmacy, considering he wouldn’t comply with me, however he did. When he had me cornered, I pulled out my mace, which precipitated him to hesitate for a cut up second — giving me the chance to run for the door and make it house safely.
Quite a few different occasions — like when trapped on a subway automobile with an unhinged individual — simply figuring out I’ve mace has been a consolation.
I’m fortunate to have a household in New Jersey, the place I can obtain shipments of pepper spray, however New Yorkers shouldn’t have to leap by way of such foolish hoops to guard themselves. I’m grateful {that a} lawmaker has lastly stepped as much as repair this on behalf of susceptible New Yorkers.
Most states solely impose affordable restrictions on pepper spray, like stopping sale to minors or implementing caps on how massive canisters may be. New York is one in every of simply three states to impose main restrictions on it.
Hawaii has outlawed the net sale of mace, whereas Massachusetts solely permits licensed firearms sellers to promote the product.
Scarcella-Spanton launched Senate Invoice S4922A, which might make mace rather more accessible for New Yorkers, in February.
“I’m a lady, and I’ve a complete employees of younger individuals, and I do know that they might really feel safer with the ability to defend themselves,” Scarcella-Spanton, whose district encompasses a lot of the North shore of Staten Island and components of southern Brooklyn, mentioned.
She added, “It’s simply a straightforward, non-lethal software to really feel protected once you’re going out, whether or not you’re going to work or strolling from the prepare station late.”
The promising new invoice was co-sponsored by Democrats Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. and Christopher J. Ryan, in addition to Republican Anthony H. Palumbo. It was launched late within the final session, and is predicted to be voted on within the following. Up to now, there was no main pushback.
Scarcella-Spanton says the difficulty got here to her consideration as a result of some buddies have been complaining about how tough it was to get pepper spray in New York. She believes girls shouldn’t have boundaries to primary self-defense.
“As a mom of an 11-year-old daughter who’s coming of age, my aim is to be sure that younger girls and all individuals actually really feel protected and safe,” Scarcella-Spanton mentioned. “I do imagine that is one thing that would assist save a life.”
