I have been reading up on pepper spray laws for an upcoming trip where even possessing my carry gun would be prohibited. We are heading out to Gettysburg and Antietam and it looks like Illinois and Maryland would be all too happy to toss you in jail with total disregard for FOPA. Obviously, carrying the pistol is out of the question since neither state honors my CCW.

I'm seeing various prohibitions on size of pepper spray, but not bear spray. On the trail, the side of the road, or in a hotel room, might a bear spray canister draw less legal scrutiny? It certainly has the range and concentration to get the job done on a human aggressor.

Many states and other jurisdictions have laws/ordinances regarding pepper spray (I know my city has one) but I would think that having a can of "bear spray" might skirt the issue. But then again I am not a lawyer. Perhaps a can of "wasp spray" might slip through the cracks easier.

I think you’ll have to do a deep dive into the states you’re considering.

I know that crossing into Canada with pepper spray is strictly illegal BUT bear spray is allowed. We have done it multiple times.

The funny thing is that bear spray usually comes in a much larger container and as far as I know is just a potent if not more…

If pepper spray contains pepper oil, does bear spray contain bears?

MD sure isn't a friendly state.

If I'm reading it correctly MD is now a Shall Issue state and you can apply for a non resident license there are quite a few steps, finger print fees, trained by a MD trainer.

Link MD Handgunlaw

Page 11 details how MD spies on all cars with plate readers all over the state that reads every plate and compares it to criminal records and permit holder information from other states that participate. Big Brother indeed.

In other words, if MN shares data on permit holders they are making you a target for being pulled over.

You can transport and there are rules for it, but you best be sure you have it right, or, don't run up on some hot jockey officer looking for an arrest.

MSI is the place for MD State and Local Gun Laws and information.

https://www.marylandshallissue...rner/313-md-gun-laws

IL has a non resident permits but MN residents don't qualify, and they do have a list of all states and there qualification levels met,

The list shows that MN does participate in sharing its permit holders information into the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) which means your information is on every participating states law enforcement system.

FYI from that IL list, it appears that the following states participate:

AZ, AR, CA, ID, IN, MA, MN, MT, NV, NC, ND and OH

I don’t know the answer to your question, but I know a can of bear spray is 3 - 4 times larger than a can of pepper spray for defense against humans. It wouldn’t be easy to walk around with in an eastern NP with it.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
I don’t know the answer to your question, but I know a can of bear spray is 3 - 4 times larger than a can of pepper spray for defense against humans. It wouldn’t be easy to walk around with in an eastern NP with it.

I've carried bear spray in Glacier, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. If there is no law prohibiting possession of bear spray in the states I'm traveling to, I'm not sure why you think being East would make a difference in ease of carry. FWIW: I wouldn't be carrying it on the Gettysburg Battlefield anyway.

Each state has different laws. While it is legal to carry bear spray. It is often illegal to use against humans

https://counterassault.com/blo...pray-vs-pepper-spray

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:
Each state has different laws. While it is legal to carry bear spray. It is often illegal to use against humans

https://counterassault.com/blo...pray-vs-pepper-spray

If this is being used in place of a firearm and under the same circumstances, I'm pretty sure the legal consequences are less than that of killing someone in a state where you can't possess a handgun.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
I don’t know the answer to your question, but I know a can of bear spray is 3 - 4 times larger than a can of pepper spray for defense against humans. It wouldn’t be easy to walk around with in an eastern NP with it.

I've carried bear spray in Glacier, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. If there is no law prohibiting possession of bear spray in the states I'm traveling to, I'm not sure why you think being East would make a difference in ease of carry. FWIW: I wouldn't be carrying it on the Gettysburg Battlefield anyway.

My mistake. I assumed you wouldn’t be walking around a Civil War battlefield with a can of bear spray openly displayed on your belt. Not sure why you felt it necessary to point out that you carried it in NPs where there’s clearly a possibility of deploying it - against bears. Sorry, have a great trip.

Pepper spray is designed and marketed for defensive use against people. Bear spray, while essentially the same thing, is not (it's typically just a higher concentration and comes in a bigger can). IMO in the event that you actually had to use it, you'd probably be on more solid ground using the former, especially since you've now documented your intent to carry it for defensive purposes.

Using OC/Pepper in compliance with manufacturer recommendations at least gives you some implied backing from the company, and there are tons of expert witnesses who could be called to your defense if necessary. That's going to be harder to get with bear spray.

Would I use bear spray to ward off a human attacker if it was all I had in the moment? Sure. But when planning ahead for a possible defensive scenario, I'd purchase and carry the product that's tested and marketed for the purpose.

As to states that have laws against carrying an aerosolized, food-grade condiment...I can't really speak to that because I don't live there and don't know. But if they do exist they're stupid.

Oh, and if you set a can of bear spray (or even to a lesser degree a little can of pepper) off in a hotel room, it's really going to suck for everyone present.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
If pepper spray contains pepper oil, does bear spray contain bears?

That’s a good question in that is bear spray something other than pepper spray? If bear spray is or contains pepper spray, then the pepper spray laws apply.

If bear spray is something other than pepper spray, then the pepper spray laws don’t apply.

Illinois does not honor out-of-state concealed carry permits. However, non-residents with a valid concealed carry permit from their home state can transport a loaded, concealed handgun within their vehicle while traveling through Illinois. When leaving the vehicle unattended, the firearm must be stored in a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle, out of plain view.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:

No Reciprocity:
Illinois does not have reciprocity with other states for concealed carry permits. This means an out-of-state permit does not allow you to carry a concealed firearm in Illinois outside of the vehicle transportation rules.

Vehicle Transportation:
Non-residents can transport a loaded, concealed handgun within their vehicle while traveling through Illinois.
Vehicle Storage:
If the vehicle is unattended, the firearm must be stored securely in a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle, and out of plain sight.
Notification:
Non-residents are required to notify law enforcement of the presence of a firearm during a traffic stop, according to the Illinois State Police.
Applying for an Illinois CCL:
Non-residents can apply for an Illinois Concealed Carry License, but they must meet the same eligibility requirements as Illinois residents and demonstrate that their home state's concealed carry laws are substantially similar to Illinois's.
Substantially Similar States:
Currently, only residents of Hawaii, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Virginia are eligible to apply for an Illinois CCL, as their states' laws are considered substantially similar according to Illinois State Police.