The Northern Territory is set to become the second jurisdiction in Australia to allow residents to carry OC spray also known as pepper spray, following similar laws in Western Australia.
The 12-month trial is aimed at improving community safety and adds to broader reforms under the NT Country Liberal Government's "tough on crime" agenda.
In an open letter released ahead of the trial, the coalition of 21 community organisations say the NT Government's policies are doing "more harm than good".
"We are alarmed about the potential consequences of NT Government policies," the letter reads.
"Arming the public with pepper spray risks escalating violent incidents.
"The NT Government’s law-and-order policies have the consequence of negatively impacting mainly Indigenous families and communities."
Concerns it will be used to target vulnerable people
Dr John Paterson is the CEO of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliances Northern Territory (AMSANT) and a signatory of the open letter.
Dr Paterson said he is concerned OC spray will be used to target vulnerable, predominantly First Nations, people who are sleeping rough.
"This policy will only lead to more violence," Dr Paterson said.
"It is especially dangerous for vulnerable people, including those sleeping rough, many of whom are Aboriginal," he said.
Twenty-one community organisations have raised concern over the incoming OC spray trial. Credit: Sam Parry
Ms Brown says she is concerned the weapons will increase the risk and severity of domestic violence in the Northern Territory where the rate of intimate partner homicide is seven times the national average.
"We know that access to weapons increases the risk and severity of violence, particularly domestic, family, and sexual violence," Ms Brown said.
"If we want our communities to be safer and healthier, then we must pay attention to the evidence and address the root causes."
How will the trial work?
Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray is a non-lethal tool that is used to incapacitate people by causing a painful burning sensation and temporary vision impairment.
From September 1, nine licensed firearms dealers across the NT will be allowed to sell OC spray over the counter.
Buyers need to be over 18, show proof of identity, and complete a Buyer Declaration form stating they have no relevant criminal history, police or court orders that would classify them as a "prohibited person" and refused sale.
A prohibited person includes a person who has a final or interim domestic violence order or one that was in force in the last five years and a person who has a restraining order against them.
NT Minister for Children and Families Robyn Cahill told NITV the trial is aimed at fostering greater community safety in the Northern Territory.
"Our government is absolutely committed to creating a safe community environment, this is just one aspect of that," Minister Cahill said.
When questioned about how the NT Government intends to measure "community safety" to determine the outcomes of the trial, Minister Cahill said it is yet to be determined.
"Those parameters are being developed by police and they will be revealed as the trial progresses," she said.
Calls for alternative solutions
Thomas Mayo is a spokesperson for the Justice Not Jails group, a grassroots advocacy group based in Darwin.
Mr Mayo is urging the NT Government to consider alternative solutions to instances of crime.
"Record high incarceration rates and more weapons in our community will not make anyone safer," Mr Mayo said.
"Justice Not Jails is urging the CLP to listen to the evidence."
His calls were echoed by Justice Reform Initiative NT Coordinator Kirsten Wilson who says all evidence points to addressing the root drivers of crime for viable long-term solutions.
"We need to look at what are the investments into the root causes of crime in terms of early intervention and prevention," Ms Wilson said.
"Measures like [pepper spray] aren't going to have any impact on that and it's going to make people feel more unsafe."
