The Northern Territory government has permanently legalised the use of pepper spray for self-defence for all residents aged 16 and above.
The Territory’s Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro confirmed the use of OC spray for self-defence following a 12-month trial.
The trial was launched in September last year, with the self-defence weapon only available to adults from 11 certified stores across the NT.
Ms Finocchiaro said the trial had a 99 per cent success rate and agreed to lower the age guidelines to allow teenagers aged 16 and above access to the self-defence option.
Licensees, nominees, employees of licensees, security guards and crowd controllers will legally be allowed to use the spray for lawful self-defence while working at a licensed premises.
Additionally, the revised rules will now allow residents 16 years and above in a households to purchase and use pepper spray for self-defence in their home, including visitors.
“Territorians have embraced OC spray for self-defence and made it clear they want to continue to have access and they want to see that access expanded to younger people,” Ms Finocchiaro.
“During the trial, we had a lot of feedback about OC spray only being available to people aged 18 years and over, with many parents telling us that they wanted their 16- and 17-year-olds to have access as well.
“The reality is that we already give 16-year-olds a lot of responsibility – they can drive a car, many of them have jobs and parents want assurance that their children can defend themselves in a dangerous situation.”
Ms Finocchiaro said those aged 16 and above were now able to defend themselves if they were in danger.
“Having access to OC spray could be the difference between life and death or serious injury,” she said.
“We are supporting community safety by providing Territorians with a regulated self-defence option while maintaining appropriate oversight and public safety protections.”
While young people will have access to the pepper spray as a self-defence option, they will not be permitted to take it onto school grounds.
Schools will have the right to confiscate, temporarily store and return pepper spray, which will be reclassified as a “control OC spray” rather than a concealed weapon.
Ms Finocchiaro said the trial had an overwhelming success rate, with only a small number of unlawful pepper spray canisters seized by police.
Since the trial began, the NT government reported almost 6000 canisters were purchased by 3776 people.
Police check transactions and purchaser eligibility, with 69 canisters seized from 46 prohibited purchasers, representing 1.2 per cent of total purchases.
“It is a stunning result to have a 99 per cent success rate with a reform of this magnitude and it’s a great credit to Territorians that they have been responsible and sensible in adopting this self-defence measure,” she said.