• streetlights
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    8 months ago

    You may be surprised to learn that pepper spray or varieties thereof are classified as firearms in the UK under section 5 of the 1968 act and possession of such has a sentence of upto 10 years.

    • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet
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      8 months ago

      That’s crazy! You can buy pepper or bear spray over the counter here. No special anything required. 10 years for a non lethal form of self defense that causes no permanent harm seems ridiculously excessive.

      Edit: you guys can’t carry pocket knives either. Right?

      • streetlights
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        8 months ago

        You can carry a folding blade if its 3" or less. Anything else must have a reasonable explanation e.g. I am chef commuting to work.

        • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet
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          18 months ago

          Oh, at least that’s a reasonable regulation for the knives. I had heard that no pocket knives were allowed. What’s the justification for the pepper spray?

          • streetlights
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            38 months ago

            A knife has a utility beyond inflicting harm on others, pepper sprays have only that use.

            • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet
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              18 months ago

              Pepper spray is useful for self defense though, and doesn’t cause any permanent harm. Is punching someone who is robbing you also illegal?