Bringing Pepper Spray to Jamaica

After seeing a post about someone bringing pepper spray to Jamaica for personal protection I asked the U.S. ACS about it. Here is the reply........

Dear Todd,

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against taking any type of firearm or ammunition into Jamaica without prior written authorization from the Jamaican Ministry of National Security. Entering Jamaica with a firearm or even a single round of ammunition is a serious crime that can result in a long prison sentence. Mace, pepper spray, and knives also are prohibited and may not be brought into Jamaica without specific authorization from the Jamaican Ministry of National Security.

For more information, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1147.html


Regards,


American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy Kingston
http://kingston.usembassy.gov
KingstonACS@state.gov
(876) 702-6450
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Can u buy pepper spray in Jamaica?

What if I just carried a skunk wherever I go ? Who will mess with me and the chicks Dig it.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ir/flair5.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

Can u buy pepper spray in Jamaica?

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No. It is illegal here.

You can buy buy Wasp Spray that shoots 25 feet so if intruder is coming in your room, you can lay in bed & shoot intruder & not have to be close enough to spray Pepper spray or get touched. Police friend gave me this tip & I keep can by my bed at home.

Ask at the pharmacies for pepper spray.
It is not illegal to possess it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lola

Ask at the pharmacies for pepper spray.
It is not illegal to possess it.

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If they only had it at duty free.....

less thieving I'm sure.

I brought it when we went.

I have always brought a SOG multi tool / knife with me and this April will be trip 18. I keep it with my dive gear. I just make sure it's not in my carry-on.

i know a Jam lady who has it..so must be able to purchase it... Didn't know pharmacies would have it..Thanks Lola

Can you use that for salads and steaks too ?

'extra spicy' LOL

I have brought it many times and glad I have never had to use walking the beach at dark.Always leave behind with my favorite cabbies.Illegal so is Ganja ! lol

Due to the threads we have had lately I found this party I am having of personal protection devices for my daughter and college friends as well as travelers. the pepper spray and door stoppers are very cheap. Lots of options. http://www.mydamselpro.net/shop/cata...rom=DIRECTLINK

Step Off Door Alarm

I hear you knockin’ but you can’t come in. We all have nightmares about waking up with someone over us, but not all of us can afford a pricey home security system. If someone tries to open your door this will sound a 120-decibel alarm to wake you and scare the intruder off. Perfect for dorm rooms, apartments and hotels.

Product Features

120-decibel alarm
Motion sensor
Adjustable sensitivity
Portable
Not rechargeable
9-volt battery (not included)
3.2 ounces in weight
5.5 x 1.5 x 1 inches in size

Benefits

Lifetime warranty with proof of purchase
Provides personal security regardless of location; goes anywhere you go!
Great for traveling and hotel stays where there is a risk of accidental or intentional entry into your room
Perfect for dorm rooms or apartments
No installation needed
Price: $15.00
http://www.mydamselpro.net/shop/prod...aspx?prod=STEP

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lola

Ask at the pharmacies for pepper spray.
It is not illegal to possess it.

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Lola...apparently you need a license. I read the court docs in reference to this entrepreneurial lady & so far it's still under the Firearms act...

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...business1.html

"She said the court further ruled that consumers would need a licence to prove the pepper spray is intended for personal use and protection."

One of the little markets up on the west end sells it hanging up behind the counter. I remember seeing it and shrugging my shoulders that it must now be legal....odd though that they only had one hanging up. IMHO it should be legal, I carry a knife for defense but much rather use pepper spray than to cut someone up. For example....someone tries to charge $400J for a beer......

Just a side story. We have a rail trail in our area of NYS. One of the sheriff patrols mentioned that if I was nervous about biking alone I should get pepper spray to carry. I went to our local Army/Navy store to purchase and they talked me out of it. One of the reasons was if the wind is blowing you may just pepper yourself. Very good possibility that could happen on the beach.

It's always better to have it and need it than to need it and not have it !

Remember it may be illegal as every other local carries a machete ?

OK I see what you mean, its illegal under the Firearms Act but not under Offensive Weapons. stalemate 8-/

why bother ?? you more then likely will be faced with up to 2 attackers, you spray it the wrong way, its clogged or too windy, or empty too soon, or worse it wrenched from you......Precaution....Location-Location :) and "Group" protection, and one of the best, a small "boat horn" on a carry chain......noise , loud and lots of it is your first, best defense
learn a few simple defense moves, and remember it must be a "instinct reaction, perfectly performed against your attacker" for you to be successful , while remaing somewhat calm"....thats hard to do when your scared to death THINK AHEAD :) :)...remember with all the numbers of visitors harmed, look at all who arent !!....you will be fine

I agree with Rambo - noise! Some 30 years ago I had my cabin door kicked in about 3:00 am - I got out a quick scream before I had a machete at my throat and then I was shaking so bad I couldn't even move. A Jamaican in the yard was woken up by my scream, but when he didn't hear anything further so he went back to sleep. I was lucky, I was not injured, the thief got very little (I was there for a long stay and my money was in my bank account at the NCB in Negril). The police were helpful - first they told me to move as the cabin was not safe, and they had me up at the police station to look pon some suspects. About 10 days later, the thief was shot and killed by a security guard on a beachfront property (I saw the body and it was my thief). For quite a few years after that I always slept with an airhorn beside the bed and made sure that other people in the yard knew I had the airhorn for security.

A humorous side note - for a few nites after the robbery I stayed in an upstairs unit at BarBBarn (where I knew the owners and all the staff). The very first nite I was there, about 3:00 am there was a flash of light and a large bang in my room and I woke up sceaming my head off. Security knew it was me and were there within seconds. I was shaking so bad it took me several minutes to get the door unlocked to let in security - a ceiling fan had come loose and crashed to the floor landing right beside the bed. After making sure I was okay and would not get electrocuted, Lindsay (the security guard) rolled me a large spliff and assured me he would keep a good watch on my room for the rest of the nite. BBBarn treated me great, and after a few days I found a much safer accomodation at a monthly rate (by which time I had acquired an airhorn)!

In the 30 plus years I have been travelling to JA, I have only been robbed twice. The second time I was robbed by a tourist (and he got caught too).

Keep one pocket with the Big bills,,,keep the other pocket with singles,,,,,If confronted,,,throw the singles on the ground one way then run the Other way.....They will go for the money.

RUN ! is good advice, most "theefs" wont chase a tourist while they are screaming.......really !!.. would you?? lol

We take it every year and leave it with a local.