Bondi Junction horror should spark a rethink of Australia’s weapons rules for security guards — and the rest of us | Caleb Bond
Security guards and shoppers should not have had to confront that murderer with bare hands and makeshift weapons, writes Caleb Bond.
The idea of a crazed lunatic running around one of the busiest shopping centres in the country, basically unencumbered, stabbing multiple people, was not one that ever crossed my mind.
Not until Joel Cauchi ran across multiple levels of Bondi Junction on Saturday.
He started on level four, where he killed Dawn Singleton and Ash Good.
Then he made it to level three, where he was later faced by Damien Guerot – “Bollard Man” as he is now known – at the top of the escalator, trying to get back to level four.
He found another way to level five, where he was eventually killed by Inspector Amy Scott.
By the time Inspector Scott – who should be Australian of the Year – dealt with the vicious bastard he had slaughtered six people, including security guard Faraz Tahir.
Multiple others were injured, including another security guard.
Those guards were essentially powerless to stop him.
Most security guards, unless they are transporting cash, are not allowed to carry weapons.
They can have stern words with an unruly teenager and tell them to move on but not much more.
That’s not much use against a nutcase holding a 30cm knife.
The defence of shoppers in Bondi was instead left to a brave Frenchman brandishing a bollard on an escalator and a father who stood in front of his family as Cauchi approached.
You can call the cops but by the time they arrive, the damage will be done – as it was, tragically, in this case.
Security guards, with proper training, should be allowed to carry batons, pepper spray and tasers.
Personal possession of pepper spray should also be allowed for self-defence, as far as I’m concerned.
A taser would give a security guard the opportunity to neutralise and disarm a knife-wielding assailant or any other person who posed an immediate physical threat.
The only people allowed to carry taser in Australia are police officers – and again, it’s not much use waiting for them when someone is rampaging through a shopping centre stabbing people.
They are not without risk, of course, and can occasionally be deadly.
But when you’re dealing with an armed attacker in a shopping centre, I’m not particularly concerned whether he dies in the process of being stopped.
Access to a taser may well have saved Mr Tahir’s life and that of others.
It would have to come with comprehensive training and any use should be followed by an official review, much like when a copper shoots someone.
Misuse should result in one being banned from ever working as a security guard again.
It’s hard to see how, under those circumstances, we would not all be safer.
Ordinary citizens aren’t allowed to carry weapons for self-defence and police cannot be everywhere.
Security guards are much more widespread, particularly in places where people gather, such as shopping centres.
We expect them to protect us – but we give them nothing with which to do it except their bare hands.
It is unfair to their safety and ours.
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Originally published as Bondi Junction horror should spark a rethink of Australia’s weapons rules for security guards — and the rest of us | Caleb Bond
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