So I`ve been in this city for years and lately a few friends have been attacked late at night, for whatever reason. Ideally, I would like to carry a baton or extendable knife with me when I come home from bars, accompany friends home, etc. What LEGAL options do I have as a Washington, DC resident? I`m not looking for illegal means or Virginia, MD`s list of what you can and can`t do, but what can I legally carry on my person here in DC and if I used it in self-defense, would it be perfectly within my right to have it with me? Thanks in advance. Pepper spray is the best choice, you just need to buy it in person somewhere (not to buy online and ship to DC). REI or a running shop would probably have some. You could probably also send it to an Amazon Locker in VA or MD, but I don`t know the legality of that. Wearing American fists, blackjacks, rackets/sandbags, and switch blades is strictly illegal. Please do not buy a weapon without being properly trained in its use. Check out code title DC 22 for the absolute legality of anything you can buy. It is legal to possess self-defense sprays in the District of Columbia, such as mace or pepper spray. However, according to the Official DC Code § 7-2502.12, the only legal types of self-defense sprays are “a mixture of a tearful, including chloroacetophenone, alphacloroacetophenone, phenylchloromethylketone, orthochloriobenazim alononitrile or oleoresin capsicum.” In addition, the self-defense spray must be conducted from an aerosol container, marked with a clearly written instruction for use and dated to its expected useful life. A person may only use a self-defense spray as a reasonable force to defend themselves or their property, and only if the self-defense spray meets the above requirements. Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states, but some states have conditions and restrictions.
Another place where pepper spray is not allowed are specially secured buildings such as government buildings and government facilities. This action became illegal after the events of 9/11 in 2001. More Details on Washington DC`s Pepper Spray Laws DC residents and visitors may want to ensure their own safety by wearing a non-lethal self-defense device such as pepper spray or MACE brand chemical spray. These personal safety items can be purchased in the state, but before a citizen can legally possess any type of security spray, they must first register the firearm at a local police station. This allows law enforcement officers to know exactly who is wearing any type of defense spray and ensure that they are being used legally. Only people 18 years of age or older can purchase and register a cartridge spray themselves, but anyone 14 years of age or older can do so as long as they have the permission of a parent or guardian. To be fair, you are legally allowed to lubricate your asshole to eliminate any friction and pleasure in anal rape. Of course, this applies to water-based lubricants. For oil-based lubrication, you must obtain your attacker`s written consent before use. In all 50 states and in Washington D.C. It is legal to use pepper spray for self-defense. However, some states only allow the use and transport of pepper spray under certain circumstances.
It is generally legal to carry pepper spray in public. However, there are some cases when pepper spray must remain hidden or prohibited in various buildings and facilities. Pepper spray is an option. If you buy it in DC, you need to register it. You should do this because your local police department will laugh throughout the registration process. If you buy your pepper spray outside of DC, you don`t need to register it.www.princeofpetworth.com/2010/12/mpd-no-you-may-not-use-wasp-spray-for-self-defense/ The thing about carrying something like a knife is that you need to be ready to use it and be ready to use it at all times. A former police officer I work with explained it this way: By inserting a gun into a confrontation, you have elevated that confrontation from a fight to a potential fight for both of your lives. If the other person in this fight also has a gun, they will now be more willing to take it out. If you think you`re going to pull out a knife and they`re suddenly going to run away out of fear, you`re completely wrong. People who ambush you may very well have a backup plan that includes a gun. Since you are looking for legal items, you can take people who are willing to break laws, such as people who ambush people, who will always have the upper hand. I have heard police officers look away when they find Tasers in women`s bags.
I don`t know how anyone could get caught with something like that. Perhaps through these constitutionally questionable Metro bag searches. Edit 2: Knives and other weapons such as American punches are illegal, whether or not they have a license.