Pepper spray laws in Michigan

We list 5 Michigan rules on pepper spray; 4 are bans.

Michigan

BannedMichigan bans gas-emitting self-defense devices unless they contain only up to 35 grams of CS or a solution of no more than 18% oleoresin capsicum (optionally with UV dye).

MCL 750.224(1)(e), 750.224(3)(a), 750.224d(1) · draft

Exact text

750.224d Self-defense spray or foam device.
(1) As used in this section and section 224, "self-defense spray or foam device" means a device to which all of the following apply:
(a) The device is capable of carrying, and ejects, releases, or emits 1 of the following:
(i) Not more than 35 grams of any combination of orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile and inert ingredients.
(ii) A solution containing not more than 18% oleoresin capsicum.
(iii) A solution containing an ultraviolet dye and not more than 18% oleoresin capsicum.
(b) The device does not eject, release, or emit any gas or substance that will temporarily or permanently disable, incapacitate, injure, or harm a person with whom the gas or substance comes in contact, other than the substance described in subdivision (a)(i), (ii), or (iii).

18+Michigan prohibits selling a self-defense spray or foam device to a minor (under 18).

MCL 750.224d(4) · draft

Exact text

(4) A person shall not sell a self-defense spray or foam device to a minor. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.
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History: Add. 1980, Act 346, Eff. Mar. 31, 1981
Am. 2018, Act 98, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 2018

BannedDo not ship to Michigan a CS (orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile) spray holding more than 35 grams of CS plus inert ingredients (about 1.23 oz net weight; 35 g / 28.3495 g per oz); it is not a lawful self-defense device and falls under the MCL 750.224(1)(e) felony ban.

MCL 750.224(1)(e), (3)(a); 750.224d(1)(a)(i) · draft

Exact text

750.224d Self-defense spray or foam device.
Sec. 224d.
(1) As used in this section and section 224, "self-defense spray or foam device" means a device to which all of the following apply:
(a) The device is capable of carrying, and ejects, releases, or emits 1 of the following:
(i) Not more than 35 grams of any combination of orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile and inert ingredients.
(ii) A solution containing not more than 18% oleoresin capsicum.
(iii) A solution containing an ultraviolet dye and not more than 18% oleoresin capsicum.
(b) The device does not eject, release, or emit any gas or substance that will temporarily or permanently disable, incapacitate, injure, or harm a person with whom the gas or substance comes in contact, other than the substance described in subdivision (a)(i), (ii), or (iii).

BannedDo not ship to Michigan an OC pepper spray whose solution contains more than 18% oleoresin capsicum; only up to 18% OC (optionally with UV dye) qualifies as a lawful self-defense spray.

MCL 750.224(1)(e), (3)(a); 750.224d(1)(a)(ii)-(iii) · draft

Exact text

750.224d Self-defense spray or foam device.
Sec. 224d.
(1) As used in this section and section 224, "self-defense spray or foam device" means a device to which all of the following apply:
(a) The device is capable of carrying, and ejects, releases, or emits 1 of the following:
(i) Not more than 35 grams of any combination of orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile and inert ingredients.
(ii) A solution containing not more than 18% oleoresin capsicum.
(iii) A solution containing an ultraviolet dye and not more than 18% oleoresin capsicum.
(b) The device does not eject, release, or emit any gas or substance that will temporarily or permanently disable, incapacitate, injure, or harm a person with whom the gas or substance comes in contact, other than the substance described in subdivision (a)(i), (ii), or (iii).

BannedDo not ship pepper-ball launchers or other projectile/cartridge irritant devices to Michigan; they are devices designed to disable by ejecting a substance and do not meet the self-defense spray or foam device definition, so MCL 750.224(1)(e) bans their sale and possession.

MCL 750.224(1)(e), (2), (3)(a) · draft

Exact text

Sec. 224.
(1) A person shall not manufacture, sell, offer for sale, or possess any of the following:
(a) A machine gun or firearm that shoots or is designed to shoot automatically more than 1 shot without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.
(b) A muffler or silencer.
(c) A bomb or bombshell.
(d) A blackjack, slungshot, billy, metallic knuckles, sand club, sand bag, or bludgeon.
(e) A device, weapon, cartridge, container, or contrivance designed to render a person temporarily or permanently disabled by the ejection, release, or emission of a gas or other substance.
(2) A person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or a fine of not more than $2,500.00, or both.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to any of the following:
(a) A self-defense spray or foam device as defined in section 224d.

Federal

Applies in every state.

BannedDo not mail via USPS a spray or device containing more than 2 percent CN/CS tear gas by mass (or bulk tear gas substance); devices with 2 percent or less tear gas are classed as aerosols and are mailable by surface (flammable) or air/surface (nonflammable) under Pub 52 Appendix A.

USPS Publication 52 § 346.24 (Nonmailable Division 6.1 Toxic Substances: Irritating Materials) · draft

Exact text

346.24 Nonmailable Division 6.1 Toxic Substances
...
Irritating Materials: All irritating materials are nonmailable. Examples include the following:
Bromobenzyl cyanide (UN1694).
Chloroacetophenone (UN1697).
Diphenylamine chloroarsine (UN1698).
Diphenylchloroarsine (UN1699).
Tear gas (UN1700, NA1693, and UN1693), except for those containing oleoresin capsicum.