With 22 votes in favor, zero against and two abstentions, a Bill allowing the use of Pepper Spray was passed in the Senate on Tuesday.

All Opposition Senators voted to support the Firearms Amendment Bill, lending support to government and those on the Independent bench. 

Two Independent Senators, Anthony Vieira and Deoroop Teemal, abstained from the vote.

The Bill was brought to the Parliament in response to heightened calls for women to be given tools to protect themselves, following the tragic deaths of Ashanti Riley and Andrea Bharatt.

Both young women were kidnapped and their bodies dumped after entering taxis on two separate occasions.

According to the contents of the Bill,  a person may only “manufacture, produce, import, export, divert, sell or distribute” pepper spray with an import permit from the Commissioner of Police. Persons in wanting to carry the item must also have a permit to do so.

The Bill will now head to the House of Representatives for debate.