I hope more seasoned flyers can answer this question for me.

Are pepper sprays (mini keychain types) allowed as carry-on? If not, are you allowed to put them inside check-in suitcases?

As a woman traveler on the petite side, I'd like to have pepper spray in my purse...just in case. I don't usually check-in suitcases when I fly, and would hate to check-in a suitcase just so I can take the pepper spray along.

Thanks in advance.