Sorry, but I am curious. Where was the suggestion made to carry wasp spray as EDC for self defense?
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I’ve seen it too many times to count on other social media platforms, @Kevin29. Which is part of the reason I started this thread - to make sure everyone knows the dangers of using wasp spray for self-defense.
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The title of the thread and the OP.
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It was not made in the article that I am aware of, but in your comment, you did seem to suggest the carry of wasp spray and state it might be illegal to carry. (Carrying it for use in self defense would certainly be illegal under both state and federal law.)
If that was not your intent to suggest that, no problem.
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Not sure I understand. Are you saying you have seen people suggest using wasp spray as a self defense weapon, many times?
Not even sure of the dangers of using wasp spray… other than it is not exactly a perfect option, but only one in an emergency, to create some time and distance to either get to a secure location or to draw a firearm or both.
There are actually people that suggest the carrying and use of bug spray?
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No I’m saying that using it for self defense would violate federal law and likely state law as well. The use of any insecticide except as explicitly labeled is against federal law.
Depending on your state’s laws, it would probably be considered an illegal weapon as well which would then make it unlawful to carry for such purposes but you’d have to check
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Sorry, you again state (make it unlawful to carry for such purposes), which suggests the carrying of wasp spray or any insecticide as a self defense weapon.
I was only speaking to the use of any wasp spray or insecticide as an emergency defensive weapon, if someone attacks you and that is all you have at the time. Such as you are in your yard, someone attacks you, and you have the spray in your hand because you were dealing with a wasp nest. It is the defensive weapon you have, to try to delay the attacker to gain a secure position, get in your house, be able to draw your firearm, but it was NEVER stated as something to carry with you as a self defense weapon.
I do not know of any law that would hold you prosecutable for using an insecticide that is not by the federal approved method when you are defending yourself.
That is why I asked about the carrying and who suggested it. As it seems you are addressing an issue that was not brought up that I can see. Did I miss someone suggesting the carrying of insecticide as a defensive weapon?
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And again, it was Dawn suggesting it in the OP.
As for an emergency use because someone is attacking you while you’re spraying bugs in the yard, I doubt anyone would even attempt to charge you as you can then rely on "The Doctrine of Necessity, but carrying and using it for self defense takes you into another realm.
As for as using it? There’s no evidence to suggest it would be any more effective in stopping an attacker than water or soda pop so I wouldn’t rely on it to even slow down an attacker.
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Yes, I have seen people say to carry wasp spray as a self-defense tool (not in this Community, but other places.)
The dangers are very much legal. Legally, it is a violation of Federal law to use wasp spray inconsistent with its labeling (i.e. against anything other than wasps).
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I have seen people say and do some rather absurd things, but I have not seen anyone say to actually carry ‘bug’ spray as a self defense weapon.
As far as any federal laws on improper use of any insect repellent or insect poison, if it is all I have for some reason while on my property, and I need to gain an advantage, it will be used in any and every possible way, along with any other every day item that can be and is a weapon, including a ball point pen. It is not likely that I would be in the field without a firearm, but I try to avoid saying never… so I can not say I would never be without a firearm.
If you have seen someone in some forum state that ‘bug’ spray should be a self defense tool (not just an emergency weapon of availability, but actually suggesting to carry it intentionally as a weapon)… leave that forum… run… run fast and far and get away from them, or at the least, avoid the person who said it as if they had the plague.
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Never said it would be very effective, though it may give enough of an advantage to gain a more secure location.
Any and every item that is and can be a weapon, including a ball point pen is always available as long as you look around and see the items and the uses that are possible. It is unlikely I would be anywhere on the property without a firearm, but as I said to Dawn, I try to avoid saying never, so I can not say I would never be without a firearm.
I did not realize Dawn was suggesting in the origination the carrying of ‘bug’ spray as a self defense weapon. No offense to Dawn, but to me that is an absurd idea, though I have seen many people say and do absurd things, so if she has seen it and wanted to know if any here were of the mind to keep a can of ‘wasp’ spray in a holster on their belt……. hopefully none have said they do…
I thought it was simply a question of using ‘wasp’ spray, such as if you are out by a shed or barn, and spraying for wasps and some moron comes up and tries to attack you, would you use the wasp spray… in that context, yes, anything and everything is fair to use to defend yourself.
In some cases, all you need is a small advantage to either get away, or draw your weapon, or simply run to a secure location, so anything may work as a self defense weapon.
I simply do not see holstering a can of wasp spray as anything but absurd, so that idea never even crossed my mind.
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Personally, I prefer “Bear Mace” comes in a no splatter foam, and an indelible dye. Can be used inside and can shoot up to a 30 foot stream. Have 2 cans mounted hidden in house. But any port in a storm, unfortunately bad guys don’t call up and say I can fit you in between my 8 pm mugging and my 10 pm burglary. Does that schedule out ok for you?
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Umm wasp spray would probably get you in more trouble! Besides, whats the situation in which you feared for your safety to use a toxic spray and not a weapon. If the situation is not such that you want to shoot them, is it a situation to use pepper spray? Keeping seperation and avoiding is key and if they lose that gap or sneak up on you, than leather force would seem to be the answer, if attacked. Unless i am not understanding why one would choose this option…
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It has been awhile since I addressed this issue. As I understood it, it was not that you carry ‘bug spray’ but that you have it while working around the house, perhaps spraying for bugs. If you did not have your firearm or pepper spray or simply had the can of bug spray in your hands and it was readily available, if you needed to defend yourself, or distract and delay the attacker, you could use bug spray as a defensive weapon and then consider the options you open up… run for the house, get inside… .draw your weapon… or grab a shovel… all the bug spray would be is a defensive weapon of opportunity that is available.
My boss has a can under his desk. Since we work in a government building, no firearms are allowed. His rationale of thinking is at least he can spray from a distance (like with a hall corner twixt him and the attacker) to maybe give him just enough time to get a head start or out of a line of fire. I guess it’s better than nothing but the way I see it is any place where carrying a weapon is not allowed is effectively denying me my RIGHT to protect myself. I can’t like that.
Since this topic keeps reviving, here is the official USCCA stance on wasp spray for self-defense:
The USCCA cannot stress enough for you to never use wasp/hornet spray as a self-defense weapon. Wasp spray is an insecticide, and Federal Law prohibits the use of any pesticide or insecticide “in a manner that is inconsistent with its labeling.’’ You could face federal criminal charges. Wasp spray is very good at what it is designed for, which is killing wasps. The main ingredient of pepper spray is capsaicin, an oil extracted from chili peppers which temporarily causes severe irritation of the eyes and lungs, producing a strong burning sensation and difficulty breathing. Wasp sprays, on the other hand, consist of one or more insecticides such as pyrethrum or propoxur. While the toxic side-effects of such chemicals do, in fact, include eye and lung irritation in humans, they are chemical poisons, the main purpose of which is killing pests.
Wasp spray is not for self-defense.
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