What kind of self-defense tools are legally allowed to carry in Australia?

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kcsl

It is legal in Western Australia for a person to carry pepper spray, if that person has, on reasonable grounds, a suspicion or belief that they will require the pepper spray to defend themselves. However, the person found carrying the pepper spray carries the burden of proving a "reasonable belief or suspicion" rather than the prosecution. In all other states and territories in Australia pepper spray is considered illegal, so check with the relevant authorities.

There are restrictions placed on tazers and stun guns are illegal. In any case you'll need a permit or license for it but civilians aren't allowed to carry it around.

We're not exactly a gun loving country so it's a definite no-no to guns.

Not sure about the baton thingy from Lost you mentioned but bottom line is Australia's very strict with civilians and weapons and things like that and the police have zero tolerance for people who carry weaponry.

You shouldn't need all that anyway - Australia is a relatively safe country.

The emergency number is 000.

Hope this helps!

*Edit*

When we say Australia is a relatively safe country we're not saying we're all flowers, sunshine and meadows. In the 20 years I lived in Perth and Sydney I have NEVER felt the need to carry weapons in order to protect myself on the street. Excessive media coverage of crime only serves to breed this type of paranoia. Of course crime happens - as it does everywhere. I advise you exercise common sense. We are pretty safe but it doesn't mean you should be walking the back streets at night alone, or venturing into surburbs or areas that are notorious for crime. And by no means should you allow yourself to be alone where you can't call for help or accept drinks from strangers etc.

My years at uni have always been safe and I don't believe you should be too worried about rape. But be aware that drink spiking and drugging is quite common (especially at bars, parties and clubs. Again, exercise some common sense and you'll be fine.

As for the comment by 'goodthink fullwise' about how you wouldn't be in danger here unless you're Asian? That is the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard. I'm Asian, lived in different cities in Australia, mix with a lot of diferent ethnicities and have never felt danger. Of course racial crime and gangs happens but really it's nothing to be paranoid about. Blame the media for fostering this kind of narrow-minded, knee jerk paranoia. It's such a ridiculous notion that it made me laugh.

Penny J

none of the above mentioned. you would be arrested. the police number is 000.

holly

Anything that could be classed as a weapon is illegal in Australia. kcsl is correct about the pepper spray
Police 000

bbiways

None of them are legal and if you are caught with them you could face a jail term, if you actually use them and get caught than jail time can be expected. In Australia you do not need to carry a weapon of any type because you will not need to defend yourself as attack is rare, steel mini bat is a extendable baton and our police and some security officers carry them they are classed under the law as a prohibited artical taser guns are not widely carried by our Police very few police have them. the emergency phone number in all of Australia is 000. P.S. I sent nearly 20 yrs doing Security work in and around Sydney and rarely did I carry a weapon I do carry a pistrol but that was rare see you just do not need to carry weapons in Australia. and the campus story may not be true as there is no campus in the suburb of Kings Cross

arbitrary k

None, quite pathetic.

They should implement the equivalent of the second amendment in the US. It will do Australia good.

Citizens should have a right to protect themselves and not be entirely dependent on the corrupt security forces (police, army etc) that are prevalent in so many nations.

000.

Judith of the Never Never

You can't carry a weapon or pepper spray or anything, I've never needed to and never known anybody that did. Police Fire or Ambulance is 000, the good thing about no legal guns over here is people don't tend to shoot each other for normal arguments. The Crooks have guns, crooks all around the world seem to get hold of them.

Non of those, and in 99% of Australia you wouldnt need them. 000 is the emergency number for Police, Fire & Ambulance.

goodthink fullwise

Unfortunately, because we're still part of the British Empire, Australia lacks alot of basic freedoms. Such as the ability to elect our own head of state, to form any type of law-abiding militia group, and the right to freedom of speech (try to find it in the constitution if you like, it's not in there.) The police can arrest anyone who they think is disturbing the 'peace'.

Because we're expected to believe that her majesty can protect us from the other side of the world, the things that you listed are all prohibited from civilians in Australia.

Even if we were allowed to carry something to defend ourselves with, the rest of our screwed up legislation prohibits one from using 'greater force than that of the attacker'. So basically, if someone tries to kill/rape you and you use force to stop them, you have used greater force than they had and they can press charges or sue you for damages. It sounds ridiculous I know, but you'd have to be like an Aikido master or something to defend yourself legally here.

Despite what people will try to tell you, it ISN'T amazingly safe here or really that different from anywhere else in western society. Females are in danger of sexual attacks in any city.

My advice is to only walk the streets at night when you have 2 or more girl friends with you, or at least 1 guy friend (these guys are cowards and will only attack a lone female).

You won't be in any other kind of danger unless you're Asian. There have been gang-wars in the cities ever since they started flooding over here, and many white males have grown up amongst an 'underground' war, suffering attacks on their family and property. There's more racial violence in the cities than people think.

Also, despite our crappy legal system, I would obviously still recommend that you fight back if attacked. Forget the groin or neck. Just go straight for the knees, and if they're too close (or if you're wearing heels), the eyes. That's one benefit to having no weapons here I suppose, 99% of fights are un-armed fighting.

The number for all emergencies is 000.

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