Pepper spray is a popular option for those that want to protect themselves against potential assailants but who do not want to go as far as purchasing and carrying a firearm. This option may make sense for many people.

It then becomes important to consider whether you can legally purchase and use pepper spray for self-defense. States vary in how they treat pepper spray, with some imposing more requirements than others. In short, pepper spray is largely permissible to use in Kentucky in a self-defense scenario. However, there are some things to keep in mind to make sure you are complying with the law.

The remainder of this blog post will discuss how the Commonwealth of Kentucky considers pepper spray and self-defense.

Kentucky Law Regarding Self-Defense

Self-defense is primarily covered under Kentucky Revised Statutes §503.050. Under this law, it is legal to use physical force against another person in self-defense “when the

defendant believes that such force is necessary to protect himself against the use or

imminent use of unlawful physical force by the other person.”

The law goes even further than this, however, and allows deadly physical force in certain circumstances, such as “when the defendant believes that such force is necessary

to protect himself against death, serious physical injury, kidnapping, sexual

intercourse compelled by force or threat, felony involving the use of force, or under [other circumstances covered by another statute].”

Subsection (4) of K.R.S. §503.050 further provides that “a person does not have a duty to retreat prior to the use of deadly physical force.”

Taken together, these provisions allow for self-defense in a wide variety of circumstances.

The Legality of Pepper Spray in Kentucky

In Kentucky, there are currently no laws on the books that pertain specifically to pepper spray. K.R.S. §527.010 defines various types of weapons that could apply to certain other statutes, but pepper spray is not mentioned. 

Using pepper spray improperly could result in a fourth-degree assault, which is a misdemeanor. Under K.R.S. §508.030, pepper spray may be considered a “dangerous instrument,” although it is not mentioned explicitly. Nonetheless, self-defense could justify the use of pepper spray in this type of situation.

However, there are still a few minimal restrictions that may apply to using pepper spray in the state. For example, certain retailers of pepper spray may require you to be over the age of 18 or may require that you not have a felony conviction on your criminal record

Ultimately, pepper spray is acceptable to carry and use in Kentucky – so long as it is being utilized in self-defense in accordance with the statutes mentioned above. 

How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

If you’ve been arrested after using pepper spray in Louisville, Kentucky, you likely have options. As noted, Kentucky’s laws regarding self-defense are broad, and a skilled Louisville criminal defense attorney can help you present your best arguments.

Even if you are innocent of the crime you have been charged with, that may not stop the prosecution from attempting to secure a conviction.

If you are not represented by an attorney who is well-versed in the law and who has sufficient experience in the field, you may find yourself serving time or being subject to other unfounded penalties.

The sooner you reach out to a criminal defense lawyer for a consultation to discuss your case, the sooner you can start effectively fighting back against the charges you’re facing.

Contact a Louisville Criminal Defense Lawyer If Your Rights Have Been Violated

If you believe any of your rights have been violated, it’s important to talk to a Louisville criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. They’ll prepare a defense detailing the violations, which could result in the charges being reduced or dismissed altogether. 

For more information, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Suhre & Associates, LLC give us a call today at (502) 371-7000 or visit us at our Louisville law office.

Suhre & Associates, LLC
214 S Clay St A
Louisville, KY 40202

(502) 371-7000