- Pepper spray is legal only in WA
- Massive lawsuit since Bondi attack
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A young Melbourne mother is calling on the federal government to legalize pepper spray nationwide following the Westfield Bondi Junction tragedy.
Jayde Howard believes the self-defense weapon could have played a key role in stopping or at least slowing the frenzied attack of knife killer Joel Cauchi.
But pepper spray is currently only legal in Western Australia, which is now experiencing a huge surge in sales in the wake of the mass stabbing attack.
Now, Ms Howard’s petition for women to be legally allowed to carry pepper spray has already attracted more than 6,000 signatures in support.
“I think the laws need to change because women deserve to feel safe,” she said. Sunrise.
She added: “As a mother, I believe the Bondi Junction attack was a catalyst for this petition and this campaign.”
Five women and a security guard were killed in the vicious attack after Cauchi appeared to deliberately attack female shoppers.
His family later admitted that Cauchi was mentally ill and had stopped taking his medications, but he had problems with women because he was too socially awkward to find a girlfriend.
Pepper spray, also known as capsicum spray, causes burning, pain, and tears when it comes into contact with a person’s eyes.
Since the Bondi attack, Howard says she’s nervous about going out with her daughter.
“We deserve to go about our daily lives without fear of being attacked at random,” he said.
Jeff Rodwell, director of online security company UR Safe, says there has been a massive increase in demand for pepper spray since the Bondi attacks, with orders almost quadrupling.
Mr. Rodwell said to the ABC, ‘I have received many calls from the east. They think, “Oh, it’s legal in Western Australia, why can’t we have it?” she said.
Ms Howard is passionate about women’s safety: “I think the laws need to change because women deserve to feel safe,” she told Sunrise.
Since Bondi attack, Howard says she’s nervous about dating her daughter
Callum Wheately from New South Wales has also started a petition. The father of three girls writes: “I fear for her safety and that of all the women in our community.”
David Limbrick, a Libertarian MP from Victoria, believes women should be allowed to carry pepper spray to feel safe.
“People who were able to protect themselves and others in Bondi were the ones who had the tools to do so, while the most vulnerable were targeted,” Mr Limbrick said.
In 2018, Fraser Anning of Katter’s Australian Party called on the federal government to allow the importation and use of pepper spray to “allow women to defend themselves”.
Mr Anning’s private members’ bill was rejected.