We, the undersigned, petition the Government of Ireland and the Houses of the Oireachtas to amend the Firearms Act 1925 and related legislation to permit responsible adults to lawfully possess and carry approved non-lethal self-defence sprays, such as OC pepper spray, under a strict regulatory framework.

Ireland’s current law prohibits civilians from possessing weapons designed to discharge noxious liquids or gases without ministerial authority. Section 14 of the Firearms Act 1925 makes it unlawful to manufacture, sell, purchase, carry, use, possess, or control such prohibited weapons without authorisation.

We believe this law is now outdated and no longer reflects the risks faced by ordinary people in modern Irish society.

Recent CSO data shows that recorded incidents of Attempts/Threats to Murder, Assaults, Harassments and Related Offences increased from 23,863 in 2022 to 25,133 in 2025, a rise of 5%. Weapons and Explosives offences rose from 2,626 in 2022 to 3,125 in 2025, an increase of 19%.

CSO victim data also shows there were 24,815 recorded victims of Attempts/Threats to Murder, Assaults, Harassments and Related Offences in 2025, up from 24,451 in 2024. Assault victims alone rose from 20,280 in 2024 to 20,630 in 2025.

The Department of Justice has itself acknowledged the need for long-term, evidence-based strategies to address knife crime, street violence, youth offending, domestic violence and public assaults.

We therefore submit that Irish law should be modernised to allow citizens a proportionate, non-lethal means of defence.

This petition does not call for uncontrolled access to weapons. It calls for a regulated system, including:

• A minimum age requirement.
• Approved product standards.
• Limits on spray strength, size and range.
• Mandatory penalties for misuse.

Restrictions in airports, courts, schools, licensed premises and other sensitive locations.

Clear legal guidance that use is only permitted in genuine and proportionate self-defence.

Article 40 of Bunreacht na hÉireann protects the personal rights of citizens. We believe that the right to personal safety must include serious consideration of lawful, proportionate, non-lethal self-defence options.

Ireland is not being asked to create a reckless system. Ireland is being asked to examine what many European countries already permit in some form: regulated civilian access to non-lethal defensive sprays

Many European countries have adopted a different approach by allowing civilians to possess pepper spray subject to varying legal conditions. Examples include:

• Poland – Pepper spray may be owned and carried by civilians without registration.
• Italy – Approved OC pepper spray may be legally carried by adults over 16, subject to technical specifications.
• Austria – Pepper spray is recognised as a self-defence device and may be carried by adults.
• Slovakia, Slovenia and Latvia – Pepper spray is generally legal for civilian possession.
• Germany – Certain pepper sprays labelled for animal defence may be legally carried, with lawful use in genuine self-defence recognised under criminal law.

These examples demonstrate that allowing regulated access to non-lethal defensive sprays is compatible with public safety and exists across numerous European jurisdictions.

We call on the Government to refer this matter to the relevant Oireachtas Committee and begin the process of amending the Firearms Act to reflect the realities of public safety in Ireland today