I carry it when I bike ride. I just thought I'd really like to give a dose to any potential pickpocket while in Italy in a few weeks.

Is it legal?

I have yet to hear of anyone pickpocketed in Italy who would have had the opportunity to know it was happening in enough time to pull out the pepper spray and use it. Rarely if ever is anyone aware they are being pickpocketed until it is done.

In Italy, it is considered a self-defense weapon and I think it is legal to own it when the active component is less than a certain percent. Not sure the percentage and this is dated information so make sure to verify it.

In Italy OC (pepper it is considered a self-defense weapon and it is legal to own it when the active principle is less than 10%. Spray made with CS is illegal.[citation needed]

In Italy OC (pepper spray) is considered a self-defense weapon and it is legal to own it when the active principle is less than 10%. Spray made with CS (tear gas) is illegal.

How would you get it there? Is it allowed in checked or carry-on luggage?

Pepper spray is allowed in checked luggage. However I don't see how it would be the least bit useful against pickpockets. They don't announce their intentions. A pickpocket would be through your wallet and spent the money before you knew anything was missing.

How are you going to know who is a 'potential' pickpocket? Attack random strangers and spend the rest of your hols in jail.

What if I tell you there is no problem bringing pepper spray to Italy and it is not? Are you going to tell them -"somebody at Fodor's told me it was fine"..... My pont is you need to ask the people who enforce this type of things; the airline for carry-over and a proper agent in Italy.

The positive thing is that sarge56 goes to prison too, should he/she use it against pickpockets.

I think this would cause more problems than it would solve. If you were to spray a person you suspected of trying to pickpocket, then unless you waited until they had your wallet in their hand, in front of witnesses, then it would be your word against theirs.

During my trips to Italy, two of the three attempts to pickpocket were made by children. I would expect some outcry were a tourist to use pepper spray in such circumstances.

Does anybody here seriously believe that using pepper spray againt any pickpocket would be covered as self defense? It's "excessive violence" and "attacking with a dangerous weapon".

Hi S,

As noted above, not a good idea.

On our last visit to Italy, I noted that the weapon of choice for women was a folded up travel umbrella.

Use a moneybelt for heaven's sake, it isn't rocket science to foil a pickpocket.

Carry a police whistle. Much safer and effective when dealing with pickpockets or amateur muggers.

Pepper spray would only be usable for self defense - not suspicion of wallet defense. Or I don;t like the way that guy is looking at me defense.

Unless you expect to be set upon by groups of bandits I can;t imagine you would be able to use it.

I am sorry but this is disturbing on so many levels. Its almost like you are looking forward to using it.

sarge56~ You are missing the likely sequence of events, if you think you will have time to get out your pepper-spray and use it against a skilled pickpocket.

i wouldn't think it appropriate to ever use a weapon on a "potential" pickpocket, or an actual pickpocket, either, for that matter.

Garfield, thank you for answering my question.

It's good to know that I can go willy-nilly now through Italy and attack anyone I want with this <i>weapon.</i>