By Bob Katzen

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee is considering a bill that would remove immigration status as a condition for purchasing Mace and other self-defense sprays. The bill would repeal a current law that allows all citizens but only some immigrants, including permanent residents (green card holders) to purchase the sprays.

Other immigrants currently allowed to purchase the sprays are limited to certain immigrants with visas relating to their being a witness or victim of crime, human trafficking or domestic violence. Every other category of immigrant, including illegal immigrants, is currently prohibited from possessing a self-defense spray. Under this legislation, all citizens and legal and illegal immigrants in every category would be allowed to purchase the spray.

“Immigration status is irrelevant to need for self-defense spray,” said Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) the sponsor of the measure.