A bottle of pepper spray led to PP deputy Ana Vázquez being ordered to leave 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 came as the deputy questioned Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska about security in Ceuta following the assault of 30 and 31 July. EFE reported that Armengol referred to Article 101 of the Rules of Procedure and the weapons register.
The decision relied on Article 101 of the Congress Rules of Procedure, which allows a deputy to be temporarily suspended for several reasons, including carrying a weapon. The episode turned a tightly regulated self-defence product into the focus 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.
El Mundo reported that Ana Vázquez said the canister had been emptied in advance and that she displayed it to symbolise the security problem in Ceuta.
For the public, the basic point is straightforward: pepper spray is legal in Spain, but it is not an unrestricted retail product. The law governs who can buy it and where it can be sold, while also setting limits on its use. Spanish legal guidance and reporting classify authorised pepper spray as a restricted weapon, not 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. They must purchase it at an authorised gun shop or a specialised establishment holding the relevant licence for category 5 weapons.
Standard pocket models usually cost between 15 and 25 euros. Professional models with greater capacity generally cost between 40 and 90 euros. The price does not alter 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 that 12 people were affected; other accounts said areas were temporarily closed and part of the building was evacuated.
Pepper spray is designed 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. As an aerosol, it creates a rapidly expanding cloud intended to give a person time to escape and reach safety.
Effects normally begin between 20 and 60 seconds after exposure. The eyes may suffer intense irritation and heavy watering, along with redness and blurred vision. Temporary blindness can last between 15 and 30 minutes. The respiratory system and skin may also be affected.
Repeated or prolonged exposure carries greater risks. It can alter corneal sensitivity and cause keratitis, an inflammation that may lead to corneal ulcers in severe cases. Calling the product non-lethal does not make it harmless or remove the legal consequences of using it.
Possessing an approved spray after a lawful purchase differs from carrying an unauthorised product or using one outside legitimate self-defence. The rules also require the user to be an adult. The Congress incident shows that an institution can treat the object as a weapon under its own rules. The focus on its legal status, rather than its price, also sets this issue apart from earlier institutional coverage.
Consumers should not assume that an online listing or an informal seller proves a product is legal. The authorised spray must come from a licensed outlet and carry the required approval. It must also be bought by someone who can prove their identity and age.
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. 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. For buyers, legality depends on whether the product is approved, where it is bought, whether its owner is an adult and how it is used.
