Should Australians be legally able to carry non-lethal weapons for self-defence? - Web links, documents and video clips

On June 28, 2018, Katter's Australian Party senator, Fraser Anning, moved a motion relating to the importation of pepper spray, mace and tasers. The full text of the motion can be accessed at

On June 28, 2018, a debate was conducted in the Senate around Fraser Anning's motion relating to the importation of pepper spray, mace and tasers. All formal contributions to the debate can be accessed at

On June 25, 2018, 7 News published a report titled 'Push to legalise pepper spray and Tasers after Eurydice Dixon's murder'. The report refers to Jeffrey Bourman's, MP for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, intention to move a motion in the Victorian Parliament that would give 'everyone the option to defend themselves against a stronger and probably more experienced attacker.'

On June 24, 2018, The Daily Mail published a report titled ''Women need to be able to defend themselves': MP files motion to legalise pepper spray after the death of Melbourne comedienne Eurydice Dixon'. The report details the intention of Victorian MP Jeffrey Bourman to put a motion before the Victoria Parliament calling for the legalisation of pepper spray, mace and tasers for use by Victorian citizens for self-defence.
The full text can be accessed at

On June 19, 2018, Firearm Owners United published an opinion piece titled 'Australia pretends to care about women's safety while charging them for carrying pepper spray'
The comment argues that women need to be able to carry non-lethal weapons for self-defence.
The full text can be accessed at

On June 18, 2018, The Daily Mail published a report which included a comment from Melbourne's Lord Mayor, Sally Capp, indicating that she did not feel safe in the city at night.
The full text can be accessed at

On June 17, 2018, Firearm Owners United published a comment titled 'If you support Australia's gun and self-defence laws then you support women being unable to protect themselves against violent predators'
The comment is critical of Australia's self-defence laws and of citizens' inability to carry weapons for self-defence.
The full text can be accessed at

On June 15, 2018, The Age published a report titled ''We don't feel safe': Police minister, lord mayor voice fears after Eurydice Dixon's death' which included comments from Melbourne's Lord Mayor and Victoria's Police Minister (both women) indicating that they did not feel safe in the city at night.
he full text can be accessed at

On January 6, 2018, Firearm Owners United published an opinion piece titled 'Forget 'more Police' we want self-defence'. The piece argues that an armed citizenry is a better guarantee of safety than employing more police.
The full text can be accessed at

On September 26, 2017, Bizfluent published an informative piece titled 'What Are the Pros & Cons of Taser Guns?'
The full text can be accessed at

On June 27, 2017, The Adelaide Advertiser published a comment by Stacey Lee in which she argued that women should be able to carry pepper spray for self defence. The full text can be accessed at

On June 14, 2017, The Australian published a report on Senator David Leyonhjelm's claim that Australians should be given immediate access to non-lethal weapons such as pepper spray and later appropriate access to guns. Leyonhjelm argued that this is necessary to allow people to defend themselves against terrorism.
The full text of the article can be accessed at

On February 13, 2017, The Telegraph published a report titled 'Drivers warned of criminals using Tasers after spate of attempted carjackings where suspects use the weapons'
The article details the increasing use of tasers in Great Britain to commit crimes.
The full text can be accessed at

On December 8, 2016, Nation Review published an article titled 'Canadian Politician: Proposal Allowing Pepper Spray Is 'Offensive' to Women'. The article deals with a move to extend the availability of pepper spray in Canada for use by women for self-defence. It also details feminist opposition to the proposal.
The full text can be accessed at

On May 20, 2016, the women's self-defence group Bulletproof published an article titled 'Top Ten Reasons You Should NOT Carry Pepper Spray'
The full text can be accessed at

On May 12, 2016, The Herald Sun published the results of a Plan International Australia report which revealed that 30 per cent of a survey population aged between 15 and 19 agreed that 'girls should not be out in public spaces after dark'. The survey included other findings that indicated young women felt at risk in public places.
The full text can be accessed at

On January 16, 2016, The Guardian published a comment by a former police controller in which he explained why there may well be significant delays before police responded to calls for assistance.
The full text can be accessed at

On September 22, 2014, The Daily Telegraph published a comment by Liberal Democrat senator, David Leyonhjelm, titled 'An assault on our right to self-protection'. The piece condemns laws operating in Australian states and territories which make 'possessing any object specifically for the purpose of self-defence, lethal or non-lethal...a criminal offence.'


On February 5, 2014, The Ottawa Sun published a report of a number of serious public nuisances committed using pepper spray which is readily available in Canada as 'bear spray'.
The full text can be accessed at

On July 10, 1995, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published an article titled 'Pepper spray, tear gas now for criminals, too' which detailed the increasing use of pepper spray and mace in criminal offences since the substances had been made legally available.
The full text can be accessed at

On March 1, 1992, The Journal of Interpersonal Violence published a research article detailing the effect of women resisting when sexually assaulted. The piece is titled 'Fighting Back: Women's resistance to Rape'
An abstract of the text can be accessed at

In 1989 the American Journal of Public Health published a research article titled 'Resistance to Sexual Assault: Who Resists and What Happens?'
The research article details the effect of women resisting when sexually assaulted.
It can be read it full at
Victoria Police advice on how to deal with the threat of violence can be accessed at