The expulsion of a deputy from Congress has put pepper spray back in the spotlight. The device is legal in Spain, but only under strict rules on approval, purchase, age and use.
A bottle of pepper spray led to the expulsion of PP deputy Ana Vázquez from Spain's Congress on 23 September 2026. Congress president Francina Armengol treated the object as a weapon after Vázquez displayed it during the session. The incident happened as the deputy questioned Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska about security in Ceuta after the assault of 30 and 31 July. EFE reported that Armengol referred to Article 101 of the Rules of Procedure and to the weapons register.
The decision relied on Article 101 of the Congress Rules of Procedure. The provision allows a deputy to be temporarily suspended for several reasons, including carrying a weapon. The episode put a tightly regulated self-defence product at the centre of a political clash. La Vanguardia later reported that the measure was clarified as an instruction to leave the chamber or remove the device while it remained in her possession, rather than a final expulsion from Congress.
Ana Vázquez said the canister had been emptied in advance and that she displayed it as a symbol of the security problem in Ceuta, according to Spanish media reports.
For the public, the main point is simple: pepper spray is legal in Spain, but it is not an unrestricted retail product. The law limits who can buy it, where it can be sold and when it can be used. Spanish legal guidance and reporting classify authorised pepper spray as a weapon with restrictions, not as an ordinary consumer product.
Only people aged 18 or over can legally buy the authorised version. Buyers must prove their identity with a DNI, NIE or passport. The purchase must happen in an authorised gun shop or a specialised establishment with the relevant licence for category 5 weapons.
Standard pocket models usually cost between 15 and 25 euros. Professional models with greater capacity cost more, generally between 40 and 90 euros. The price does not change the legal requirements. The product must be approved by the Ministry of Health and bought from an authorised seller.
After the parliamentary confrontation, several reports described a separate release or spill of gas in Congress toilets. El Español reported 12 people affected, while other accounts referred to the temporary closure of areas and a partial evacuation of the building.
Pepper spray is meant to disable someone for a short time. It contains capsaicin, an irritant derived from the oleoresin of capsicum found in hot peppers such as cayenne and chilli. In aerosol form, it creates a rapidly expanding cloud. The aim is to give a person time to escape and reach safety.
The effects normally begin between 20 and 60 seconds after exposure. The eyes may suffer intense irritation, heavy watering, redness, blurred vision and temporary blindness lasting between 15 and 30 minutes. The respiratory system and skin may also be affected.
Repeated or prolonged exposure brings greater risks. It can change corneal sensitivity and cause keratitis, an inflammation that may lead to corneal ulcers in severe cases. Calling the product non-lethal does not mean it is harmless or that its use has no legal consequences.
Possessing an approved spray after a lawful purchase is not the same as carrying an unauthorised product or using it outside legitimate self-defence. The rules also require the user to be an adult. The Congress incident shows that the object can still be treated as a weapon inside an institution with its own rules. The focus on the object's legal status, rather than its price, also sets this issue apart from earlier institutional coverage.
Consumers should not treat an online listing or an informal seller as proof that a product is legal. The authorised spray must come from a licensed outlet, carry the required approval and be bought by someone who can prove their identity and age.
The Congress episode made the boundary clear. Pepper spray may be allowed for legitimate self-defence under Spain's category 5 rules, but the law still defines it as a weapon. Displaying it in the wrong setting can bring institutional consequences. The PP has used the incident to highlight insecurity in Ceuta, while Congress authorities have defended a strict reading of the chamber's weapons rules. For buyers, legality depends on the product's approval, its point of sale, the owner's age and the purpose of its use.
