Self defence in Australia

Australia should legalise the ability for the Australian public to carry a form of self defence. Currently, it is illegal for the general public to carry pepper spray, tasers, or really anything that can be used as a weapon. I disagree with it. I strongly believe that Australia should allow its citizens to purchase non-lethal weapons for the purpose of self defence.

In order to legally purchase/own one of these self defence tools, the person must be over 18 with no previous criminal convictions or behavioural disabilities. It is even possible to implement a rule that owners of these tools must have a valid permit. Similar to the open carry permit seen in America.

If a person uses one of these tools incorrectly, that person immediately looses their right to own a self defence tool and will be charged accordingly. For example, a person tasers their dog while drunk at a party. That person will loose their access to any other self defence tool, and will be charged with animal cruelty.

Crime rate is currently on the rise in Australia. An investigation by the Australia Bureau of Statistics explain that the number of sexual assaults are increasing.

“The number of Sexual assault victims recorded by police increased by 8% across Australia, from 23,040 victims in 2016 to 24,957 victims in 2017. This was the highest number recorded since the beginning of the time series in 2010.”

The article follows this by explaining  that it is the sixth consecutive year the number of sexual assault victims have increased.

Allowing people to carry self defence items will allow potential of crime to defend themselves and prevent them from becoming another statistic. Women already claim to walk around at night while walking alone at night. Are you going to take away that person’s wish to feel safe?
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/0/DA3DED213BAE8114CA257178001B6949?Opendocument

Unfortunately, my opponent has forfeited his round 1 argument. I have no choice other than to extend my arguments.

I assume that YeshuaRedeemed will forfeit the final round making this a FF. I would also like to point out that every single debate this user has participated in has contained at least one forfeit.