Maria Karaiskos KC comments on the legal ways women can protect themselves, in Metro

Maria Karaiskos KC has provided comment in Metro on the legal issues surrounding the use of improvised weapons as a means of self-defence, with a growing number of women seeking to defend themselves in public spaces.

Discussing the legalities of using pepper spray in the UK, Maria commented: “Pepper spray is illegal to possess in the UK. It is a prohibited weapon under the Firearms Act 1968 as it is designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other substance. There is a similar prohibition on CS sprays or CS gas.

“Pepper spray is legal across most parts of the USA, but there are restrictions on the circumstances in which it can be carried and on its size and formulation. The rationale in the USA is that an individual has the right to protect themselves from harm and that pepper sprays are a less harmful and non-lethal means of self-defence.

“Whilst self-defence is always a defence in the UK if the criteria are established, the approach to possession of pepper spray here is very different than the USA. In the UK, the emphasis is placed on de-escalation and conflict resolution rather than allowing individuals to carry potentially harmful weapons which can often lead to unnecessary escalation.”

Maria’s comments were published in Metro, 30 June 2025.