Young Democrats demand the legalisation of pepper spray
Torbjørn Helgesen, Unsplash
In Luxembourg, a debate on the right to self-defence is heating up: the youth wing of the Democratic Party (The Young Democrats) has called for the legalisation of pepper spray, arguing that it is necessary to protect vulnerable citizens such as women, the elderly and people with disabilities. In their view, it could be a simple, inexpensive and relatively safe tool in the event of an attack.
In the Grand Duchy, pepper spray is now classed as a category A weapon, making it illegal to possess and use. However, it is partially legal in neighbouring countries: in France from the age of 18 for self-defence, and in Germany only as a means of protection against animals.
In a conversation with RTL, Melina Fellens, a spokesperson for the movement, emphasised that the police are not always able to intervene quickly, and it is important to give citizens the opportunity to protect themselves in dangerous situations. According to her, it is especially important to ensure access to such means for those who are most often subjected to aggression in public spaces.
Nevertheless, the official police position remains cautious. Police Chief Tim Pauli believes that in the event of an attack, it is better to shout and attract attention than to rely on pepper spray. Such a strategy can scare off the attacker and call for help from others.
The public is divided on this topic. Some support the idea of legalisation, while others suggest focusing on training: free self-defence courses under the auspices of the police have been held in Luxembourg for 15 years.
However, as Laurent Thys from the Ministry of Justice explained, the use of pepper spray can be justified if it is clearly linked to self-defence. Even then, however, possession of pepper spray remains illegal and is punishable by a fine of up to 500,000 euros or up to eight years in prison.
The Young Democrats' initiative also includes a proposal to lower the age threshold to 16 - unlike in France, where the threshold is 18.
Thus, the issue of legalisation is not only about legal details, but also about the philosophy of public security: should citizens be given more control over their protection, or should the initiative be left solely to state structures? The answer to this question has not yet been found.
