Final presentation

1. MGT401
Abolishing the
Ban on the
Possession of
Self-Defence
Tools
Clara Choy, Darryn Tan, Cassandra Yew, Lisa Heng

2. Terminology
Weapons
Arrows, crossbows, and bows
Swords
Knives (e.g. hunting knives, diving
knives, switchblades)
Spears and spearheads
(Singapore Legal Advice, 2021)

3. Terminology
Self-Defence Tools
Pepper spray
Knuckle keychains
Tasers, stun guns
Alarms, whistles

4. Why are self-defence
tools banned?

5. Why are self-defence
tools banned?
Crime rates are lower in Singapore than in
other countries
Singapore is a safe country and there is
no need for self defence tools
Legalizing self defence tools may cause
crime rates to rise through misuse

6. Why is unbanning self-
defence tools relevant?

7. Overall crime rate in Singapore (per 100,000 people)
Overall crime rate in Singapore (per 100,000 people)
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
1,000
750
500
250
0
590 582 587
616
847
656
(Statista, 2022)

8. 10 March 2022
14 March 2022
24 March 2022
21 March 2022

9. How does the law deal
with the issue?

10. What is the Law on
Carrying Weapons in
Singapore?
Carrying a weapon is an offence in
Singapore, unless you can show a lawful
purpose for carrying that weapon, or have
the required licence for carrying a
particular type of weapon.
(Singapore Legal Advice, 2021)

11. Can I Carry or Possess Weapons
for the Purpose of Self-Defence?
Not allowed to carry weapons for the purpose of self-defence.
But you are able to exercise your Right of Private Defence.
Not allowed to use greater force than necessary to defend
yourself.
Using a weapon, imitation or real, might be considered
excessive if the attacker was not using one.
Possessing a weapon for self-defence will still be considered a
criminal offence, even if it is not used.
(Singapore Legal Advice, 2021)

12. Is this issue adequately
dealt with?

13. “Right of Private Defence”
A form of legal defence that can absolve, or excuse, a person of any legal liability, if that
person hurt or killed another individual in order to defend himself or another person or his
property against any offence.
(Singapore Legal Advice, 2020)

14. Right of Private Defence - When and How to
excercise ?
When defending yourself/another person
When defending property
(Singapore Legal Advice, 2020)

15. Right of Private Defence - Limitations
Harm caused to the offender must not be excessive in the circumstances
There must also have been no reasonable opportunity for you to seek protection
from a public authority
When you are the initial aggressor
When it is a public servant trying to subdue you
(Singapore Legal Advice, 2020)

16. Commentary
Is the “Right of private defence” comprehensive enough to protect the rights of
individuals?
What is considered to be a reasonable opportunity to seek protection from a public
authority?
What is considered excessive harm? How can I be certain that the intention to
harm/threat has been eliminated?
Too ambiguous, e.g.
E.g. should I call the police and wait in hopes that they will arrive in time to protect
me v.s. take action against offenders now while they are down?
Fails to consider the essence of time in determining safety
Does it help make members of society feel safer?

17. Our Proposal

18. Our Proposal
To legalize pepper spray as a
self-defence tool in Singapore.
Why Pepper Spray?
Non-Lethal Compared
To Other Available
Tools.
Highly Effective
Deterrent Against
Threats.
(Mace, 2020)

19. Benefits of legalising
self-defence tools
Considerations of legalising
self-defence tools
Right to personal self-defence.
Protection: Can fend off
attackers without permanently
harming them.
Buffalo Case Study 2022: The
removal of "Duty to Retreat" in
self-defence scenarios.
(Borrello, 2022)
Can be used improperly by assailants or
people who are untrained.
While complications of pepper spray are
uncommon (e.g. death/permanent eye
damage) it is still a possibility.
Little research is available with regards to
the correlation between the legalisation
of self-defence tools and crime rates.

20. Final
Recommendations
To legalize pepper spray with restrictions
on its sale and possession
Construct strict laws with regards to
pepper spray usage
Can only be sold via licensed retailers, each tool
to be registered to the citizen who purchases it.
Only those over 18 without a felony conviction
can purchase.
Strict regulations and limitations over pepper
spray size and concentration.
Offence to use pepper spray on anyone for
reasons other than self-defence.

21. Thank You

22. References
Begum, Y. (2022, March 14). Man arrested after allegedly swinging a sword at members of the public in Buangkok. CNA. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/buangkok-sword-man-arrested-police-2562776
Borrello, G. M. (2022, January 27). Senator Borrello introduces legislation to strengthen the right of self-defense. NY State Senate. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/george-m-borrello/senator-borrello-introduces-legislation-strengthen-right
Chia, O. (2022, March 24). Man 'shocked and clueless' after random attack near Clarke Quay which left him with 20 stitches. The Straits Times. Retrieved April 4,
2022, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/man-badly-hurt-after-being-struck-in-head-with-sharp-object-in-random-attack-near-clarke-
quay
Hirschmann, R. (2022, March 14). Overall crime rate in Singapore from 2012 to 2021. Statista. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from
https://www.statista.com/statistics/628339/crime-rates-in-singapore/
Mace. (2020, August 5). What is pepper spray and why should I carry it? Mace. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://www.mace.com/blogs/self-defense-
training/what-is-pepper-spray-and-why-should-i-carry-
it#:~:text=Pepper%20Spray%20Provides%20Powerful%20Defense&text=Whether%20the%20threat%20comes%20from,a%20threat%20at%20a%20distance.
Singapore Legal Advice. (2020, April 30). Using your right to self-defence when attacked in Singapore. Retrieved from https://singaporelegaladvice.com/law-
articles/what-can-i-do-to-protect-myself-in-self-defence-in-singapore/
Tham, D. (2022, March 21). NTU research fellow who took upskirt photos around university, Shopping Malls gets jail. CNA. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ntu-research-fellow-upskirt-photos-voyeur-arrest-jail-2577071
Tham, D., & Leo, L. (2022, March 10). 2 men charged with rape of 32-year-old woman at Pioneer Road. CNA. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/pioneer-road-rape-2-men-charged-pioneer-road-2553396