Knives and pepper spray in Mexico (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Mexican federal law has no list of permitted or banned knives and does not mention pepper spray. Article 160 of the Código Penal Federal punishes carrying instruments for attack or defence without a lawful purpose, and work or sport tools are excepted. Knife and pepper spray carrying rules are mainly set by the penal codes of the states, which were not checked here.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places | Federal law punishes carrying instruments that can be used for attack or defence without a lawful purpose or with intent to attack. Tools and instruments for farm work, a trade, an art, a profession or a sport that have a known use as such are not prohibited weapons, but their use is limited to the place where the work or sport is done. When carried for work or sport, the person must be able to show that purpose. [1] |
Notes
- Article 160 says these offences fall under the ordinary (state) courts. Which blades or sprays are treated as prohibited is for each state's penal code; none of those were checked here. The federal firearms law (LFAFE) does not mention knives or pepper spray.
Sources
- Orden Jurídico Nacional (Secretaría de Gobernación): Ley Federal de Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (texto vigente, última reforma DOF 07-06-2024) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.