Ask a Cop: Can I Openly Carry A Mace Gun?

Question: When walking in public, may I have my pepper spray — or more specifically, my pepper gun — in my hand, outside of my purse, and ready to use?

I work in downtown Santa Cruz, usually am alone, and would feel most comfortable walking to and from my car with the device in my hand.

Is it legal to have a hot pink pepper gun in plain sight?

Answer, from Steve Clark, SCPD Deputy Chief:

Legal…Yes

Advisable…No

Openly carrying this could actually have the reverse effect, and could actually invite trouble and provoke confrontation. Believe it or not, someone may decide that they feel confrontational and may look to challenge someone walking with their mace gun out in the open. As ill-advised as this sounds, it has happened before and will happen again.

Undoubtedly, someone will see this and it will cause enough of a concern that someone will call the police. We get calls all the time of people carrying “suspicious objects” that resemble a firearm. When the officers arrive, it places everyone in a tense and serious situation.

While you might think to yourself, “this is ridiculous, the gun is hot pink….why would someone call and why would the police take it seriously?”. Well, here are some pictures of guns that are pink and VERY REAL!

Carrying any kind of a weapon for protection is a deeply personal decision and should not be taken lightly. There are many things to consider. If you are going to choose to carry a mace gun my recommendation is that it not be carried out in the open. Have it at the ready, but hidden to avoid some of the potential problems.

If you're contacted by the police while carrying this. here are some strong suggestions:

• Tell the officer you have this and where it is located (purse, pocket, etc).  Allow the officer to secure and inspect it during the contact. We’ll be happy to give it back when we are done with business. 
• If carrying openly and contacted by police, drop it immediately and step away. Show your empty hands to the officers. Then listen very carefully to their instructions, and do exactly what they say. Now is not the time for philosophical or tactical debate.