Legalise Licensed Non-Lethal Self-Defence Tools for Women in the UK

We petition the UK Government to review the Firearms Act 1968 and Offensive Weapons Act 2019 to create a new category for approved, licensed, non-lethal self-defence tools (e.g., regulated sprays/tasers) for women and vulnerable individuals, following background checks and safety training.

This petition was rejected on 23rd Jan 2026 as it duplicates an existing petition

The Petition Committee commented:
You may wish to sign the following petitions, which call for similar action: Legalise pepper spray in England https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/742673 Fund self-defence for students and women, and legalise licensed defence tools https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/752355

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Official Petition Site

Current UK law limits self-defence to safety alarms, leaving law-abiding citizens,feeling defenseless against violent attackers.Carrying any other non-lethal self-defence item, like CS spray or a Kubotan, can result in a felony charge.A licensed system would empower citizens with a proportionate means of escape and physical deterrent, reducing attack severity and enabling fundamental self-preservation,focusing the law on enabling victims rather than punishing preparation.