Help me figure this out if you please...

[gabriel]

So, I have come up on the need to purchase a pepper spray 'device' for my Aunt. She lives in a semi-third world country and well, ideally she'd own a weapon but thats just not possible for her so I have to get her the next best thing.

My goal is to purchase 2 small canisters for on-her-person carry and one large fogger she can keep at home in case of a home invasion. The goal is to purchase these items, send them to my cousin in Puerto Rico who will then transport them to the Dominican Republic as he travels frequently between the two countries..

My question is:

What legal hurdles if any do I need to get over here in California? Is it even possible for me to purchase these things in California? This is something I'd like to do and I seriously hope its possible. What say you?

Thank you!

[x MAIT]

I don't think you can send these through the US mail. Maybe you could order them on-line and have the company ship them directly to your cousin.

[PapaBear]

I would be extremely cautious about shipping any type of weapon, including gas, to a foreign country. I am certain there are U.S. Federal laws that preclude doing just that.

for example, this occurred in England:

A COUPLE have found that using pepper spray in self-defence is as illegal as firing a sub-machine gun.

Under the Firearms Act, it is ranked alongside rocket launchers in that using it carries a 10-year prison sentence.

Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston magistrates heard Sally Arcari, 21, didn't know pepper spray was illegal. Her boyfriend, Neil Marchant, 29, used it in self-defence outside The Platinum Lounge in Ellesmere Port before handing it to her.http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100re...

I think that you should contact your nearest office of BATFE and query them. Also, you should check with the USPS, FedEx and UPS about their practices.

Bottom line: Don't overextend yourself. It could end up biting you in the rear.

[gabriel]

Thank you gentlemen for your answers. I guess I'll definitely have to do some more research on this.

Thanks again

[bcjack]

If you are considering the CHP as a career, I would forget the notion of getting involved in your plan to send pepper spray as my guess is that there are huge legal ramifications and it is just not worth it. Only speculation on my part, but why put yourself and your future in jeopardy???

[gabriel]

If you are considering the CHP as a career, I would forget the notion of getting involved in your plan to send pepper spray as my guess is that there are huge legal ramifications and it is just not worth it. Only speculation on my part, but why put yourself and your future in jeopardy???

I'm not sure how I'm putting my future in jeopardy. As I understand it OC spray at or under 70 grams is legal in this state. As far as getting it and shipping it out, thats the reason for the question. If during my research I find that there may be serious legal ramifications on doing this then I'll find a legal way to do so.

They sell the stuff in the Dominican Republic, the problem is it costs three times as much.

[PTR-Jason]

I'm not sure how I'm putting my future in jeopardy. As I understand it OC spray at or under 70 grams is legal in this state. As far as getting it and shipping it out, thats the reason for the question. If during my research I find that there may be serious legal ramifications on doing this then I'll find a legal way to do so.

They sell the stuff in the Dominican Republic, the problem is it costs three times as much.

Its easy, go to the post office and ask them about shipping, they may refer you to UPS or Fedex, but contact them as well and ask, sometimes things that are under pressure can not be shipped by air.

You can BUY OC in any sporting goods store, they sell little palm sized cans with plastic grips and everything for people to carry, yes even here in CA. That artical was over in the UK not the US. Like I said you can buy them here just fine, but ask the UPS, Post Office, and FedEx about shipping it. It maybe have to be done by ground, and boat only. They have stickers to put on packages so it will not be air shipped. It may take sometime to get there, but it will be done the right way.

[FlyWhiteGuy]

FedEx Express (Air) has a book called an "SRG" that tells what products are banned or illegal to ship into countries. Call or go to a FedEx office and ask if they can ship your "pepper spray 'device'" into the "semi-third world country."

It might have to be shipped as dangerous goods, in which case you'll be paying a lot for the shipping.

[emcviper]

Following WhiteGuy's lead, I've search FedEx's website. It appears it depends which country you're shipping to. For example:

GERMANY (http://images.fedex.com/downloads/acs/National_Instruct-AirCargo_NLEN.pdf) - The bottom portion mentions a ban on Pepper Spray, etc. "unless they have been properly declared..."

United Kingdom (http://fedex.com/us/international/irc/profiles/irc_uk_profile.html?gtmcc=us) - "The following is a listing of commodities prohibited and/or in some instances (*) restricted for entry into the United Kingdom ... Offensive Weapons; belt buckle knives, death stars, throwing stars, and martial arts equipment, Pepper and similar sprays"

If your above mention of Dominican Republic (http://fedex.com/us/international/irc/profiles/irc_do_profile.html?gtmcc=us) means that's where it's going, there is no specific mention of pepper spray, but it does reference "weaponry". There are some contact links at the bottom of the page, and you could always try contacting FedEx or another shipper.

[gabriel]

Thank you all for your input. You've all have given me enough to research for quite a while. I can see it already becoming a question of definition (what is weaponry to FedEx and Customs for example).

Thanks again.

[PTR-Jason]

Well from his stand point he will be shipping it to Puerto Rico, which is the U.S. He will then have his family transport it where it needs to go from there. But it will still be shipped to a US Terrorty, but if the island laws allow civvys to carry it, is another question. So it will not be shipped to another country per se, but still have to check laws there and still may not be air shippable.