Politics · Australia · 1 hr ago
Northern Territory plans to allow 16-year-olds to buy pepper spray
The Northern Territory government plans to make pepper spray, also called OC spray, permanently legal for self-defence.
The change follows a 12-month trial that began last September and was limited to adults.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the trial had a 99 per cent success rate.
Under the plan, people aged 16 and 17 could buy the spray if they meet the buyer declaration conditions and have a guardian present who agrees.
The spray was available during the trial only through 11 approved firearms dealers, and buyers had to confirm they had no relevant criminal history or current police or court orders.
The government says the spray will not be allowed at school, and schools and teachers will have authority to confiscate it.
The government says it plans to pass legislation making the change permanent by the end of the year.
The Northern Territory government plans to make pepper spray permanently legal for self-defence and allow people aged 16 and 17 to buy it.
Teenagers would have to meet the buyer declaration conditions and have a guardian present and consenting.
The plan follows a 12-month trial that began in September 2025 and was limited to adults.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the legislation would be passed by the end of 2026.
The government says schools and teachers would have authority to confiscate the spray.
- Who
- The Northern Territory government. People aged 16 and 17 would be eligible to buy pepper spray under the plan.
- What
- The government plans to make pepper spray permanently legal for self-defence and extend access to 16- and 17-year-olds.
- When
- The announcement was reported on October 12, 2026. The government said it expected the legislation to pass by the end of the year.
- Where
- The Northern Territory, Australia.
- Why
- The government says the change would allow young people to defend themselves in a dangerous situation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Northern Territory began a 12-month trial of pepper spray, limited to adults.
The Northern Territory government announced plans to make pepper spray permanently legal and extend access to 16- and 17-year-olds.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the legislation would be passed.
- Eligible age
- 16 and 17 under the proposed expansion
- Trial length
- 12 months
- Trial start
- September 2025
- Trial access
- Adults could buy the spray from 11 approved NT firearms dealers
- Purchase condition
- A buyer declaration was required to confirm no relevant criminal history or current police or court orders
- Planned passage
- By the end of 2026
What people are saying
fantastic with a 99 per cent success rate
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
Sources
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