Cabinet can find a way to make pepper spray available to members of the public - attorney

The government is again being urged to fix the legal provisions which have prevented the lawful possession and use of pepper spray by members of the public.

Attorney Clyde Williams believes the issue can be addressed temporarily by Cabinet.

There is currently a prohibition order which prevents the import, use and possession of pepper spray except under certain circumstances.

The legal issues relate to the fact that pepper spray is a controlled product under the Firearms Act and the Offensive Weapons (Prohibition) Act, so questions of licensing under these provisions have arisen.

Mr Williams, speaking Monday on Radio Jamaica’s Beyond the Headlines, said while the legal issues are being worked out, there is an alternative avenue to address the problem.

He believes Cabinet should “remove pepper spray from the category of restricted weapons restricted ammunition in the Firearms Act, and… by virtue of that and other policy positions, the government will sort out the contractions (and) inconsistencies.”

The push to make pepper spray available as a defensive option has again become a topic of national debate, in light of growing concerns about crimes against women and girls.