Pepper gas is opportunistic, its sale is prohibited, its use is controversial

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Lerato Khumalo

While the increase in violence, harassment and rape against women creates outrage in society, opportunists do not sit idle. While women are trying to take their own safety precautions against the increasing spiral of violence, the interest in pepper gas and electroshock devices has exploded. Pepper sprays, the use of which is controversial and the sale of which is prohibited; e-commerce sites or military maIt continues to be marketed in places that sell medicinal products. The price of pepper gas products, which were sold between 80-100 TL until a week ago, increased to 600 TL after the last massacre in Fatih, while the price of electroshock devices has exceeded a thousand lira. Citizens who reacted to the situation on social media raised the issue that opportunists should not be tolerated.

Opportunists increased the prices of pepper spray within hours.

SOMEONE EVEN MAKE IT AT HOME

On the other hand, in the face of increasing prices, some citizens find the solution by making their own pepper spray at home. In some images shared on social media, it does not go unnoticed that bleach and red pepper flakes are mixed and placed in spray bottles. In addition, there are flashlight and lipstick-like products for women. Electroshock devices have also been increased following recent news of violence. While the products sold for 250 TL are sold for 500 TL, it is stated that especially pepper gas stocks are depleted.

WE HAVEN’T MADE TIME FOR 3 MONTHS

A material seller in Kadıköy stated that sales have increased since the weekend and attributed the reason for the recent price increase to the fact that they have not increased prices for 3 months. Another vendor in Beşiktaş stated that pepper spray only drove the attacker away. “We warn women who purchase the product to move to a safe place after spraying it. The effect of pepper spray varies depending on the distance and the intensity used.” he warned.

Pepper gas is opportunistic, its sale is prohibited, its use is controversial - Picture: 2
Some of the electroshock devices that look like lipsticks and flashlights

CANNOT ENTER SHOPPING MALLS

Lawyers share the information that people over the age of 18 can carry pepper spray for defensive purposes. The use of this gas for purposes other than personal defense constitutes a crime. It is forbidden to enter most shopping malls with pepper gas and electroshock devices. Women carrying pepper gas and electroshock devices can hand over the products and devices to security at the entrance to the shopping mall and take them back at the exit.

MAY BE CONSIDERED A WEAPON

Lawyer Kevser Yıldırım stated that pepper gas and electroshock devices can be defined as ‘weapons’ depending on the way they are used, the consequences they cause and the purpose of use. “If the attacker has any disease, pepper spray can have a lethal effect. When using electroshock and pepper gas, it is important which part of the attacker’s body and in what proportion it is applied. Because even a possible crime victim may benefit from self-defense by using proportionate force. For this reason, it is important to show the necessary sensitivity in the use and possession of these devices. “People’s use of these devices may lead to negative consequences for them,” he said.

WHY IS IT PROHIBITED?

Yıldırım summarized the ban on the use of pepper gas as follows: “It may cause irritation in the respiratory tract, health problems and injuries. It may make it difficult to maintain order in public spaces.”

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