Age Checks for Pepper Spray and Blades

Summary#

This bill updates Manitoba’s Long-Bladed Weapon Control Act to also cover pepper spray. It sets a minimum age of 18 to buy these items, adds ID checks for in‑person and online sales, and requires retailers to keep simple sales records. It also brings garage sales, flea markets, and online classifieds under the rules.

• Adds pepper spray (with 0.6% or more capsaicin) to the items covered.
• Bans sales to anyone under 18.
• Requires photo ID checks for in‑person sales and age verification for online sales.
• Requires delivery of online orders only to an adult who shows photo ID.
• Requires retailers to record the buyer’s name, address, and other basic details (online retailers do not record date of birth).
• Excludes items worn for religious purposes that are not meant to be used as weapons.
• Lets the government exempt certain models or set extra rules by regulation.
• Takes effect on a date the government will set later.

What it means for you#

• Consumers (18 and over)

  • You will need to show photo ID to buy a long-bladed weapon or pepper spray in person.
  • If you buy online, the seller must verify your age before the sale, and the delivery will require you to show photo ID. An adult must be home to receive it.
  • Retail stores will record your name, address, the item details, and the date of sale. Online retailers will record your name, address, item, and date, but not your date of birth.
  • This law does not change other federal or provincial laws about carrying or using these items. Those still apply.

• Minors (under 18)

  • You cannot buy a long-bladed weapon or pepper spray, in stores or online.

• Retailers (brick‑and‑mortar and online)

  • You must check photo ID for in‑person sales and refuse sales to minors.
  • Online sellers must confirm a buyer is 18+ before completing the purchase and use delivery methods that check photo ID at the door.
  • You must keep sales records as set out in the law. Online sellers do not collect dates of birth but must keep other details.

• Secondary sellers (garage sales, flea markets, online classifieds, social media)

  • You must check photo ID and must not sell to anyone under 18.
  • You may be required to keep certain records if the government sets that requirement later.

• Faith communities

  • Items worn for religious reasons that are not intended to be used as weapons are not covered by this law.

• Everyone

  • Some specific items could be exempted later by regulation.
  • The law will start on a future date set by the government, not right away.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Keeping long-bladed weapons and pepper spray out of the hands of minors will reduce injuries and intimidation.
• Age checks at checkout and at delivery close online loopholes that youth could exploit.
• Basic sales records help police trace items used in crimes without collecting more data than needed.
• Including garage sales, flea markets, and online classifieds stops easy end‑runs around store rules.
• Clear rules on ID and delivery make sellers follow the same standards, online and in person.
• Respecting religious items avoids unfair impacts on faith communities.

Opponents' View#

• Storing buyers’ names and addresses raises privacy worries if records are lost or misused.
• Checking IDs and keeping records may be hard for small shops and casual sellers at garage sales or flea markets.
• Requiring an adult to be home to show ID at delivery can be inconvenient and may delay orders.
• The rules may not deter criminals, who could find other sources or switch to other weapons.
• Adding pepper spray could cause confusion because other laws already limit how it can be carried or used.