The Country Liberal Party government says the move will improve personal safety and give Territorians "lawful tools to protect themselves if needed".
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00:00A red-hot plan to combat crime. The government announcing a 12-month trial of their latest weapon against antisocial behaviour.
00:11Come 1 September, law-abiding Territorians over the age of 18 years will be able to legally purchase OC spray for personal use to self-defend themselves against perpetrators.
00:24The trial is said to be overseen by the NT Police Firearms Unit. The kind of pepper spray, who can buy it and how to regulate it, all to be addressed during consultation with stakeholders in coming weeks.
00:37This is the start of the conversation and so the consultation phase and how we're going to go about the implementation is stuff that we will release more information about in the coming days and weeks.
00:48On the streets, mixed feelings.
00:50It's really helpful because this will protect the people from any attacks.
00:54I think weaponising the populace is a very bad idea. It could be used to harm people. I think that's a very likely outcome of it.
01:02The president of the NT Police Association says members are already raising concerns.
01:08How do we know if we're going to attend a job and OC spray is going to be used against our police officers?
01:13Right now, West Australia is the only jurisdiction where it's legal to buy pepper spray. Legal practitioners warning community education is key.
01:22There is quite a lot of people out there with OC spray thinking that it is lawful to have on their possession at all times, not knowing the laws.
01:33The Labor opposition and Greens say arming civilians will encourage vigilantism and say its proof measures introduced so far to reduce crime haven't worked.
01:44Several medical and justice organisations have also warned the move could encourage violence at a time where the territory should be focused on reducing tensions in the community.
01:54Yes.
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01:59Yes.