Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has publicly mused about introducing Castle Law in the Northern Territory – the legal doctrine that would decriminalise the use of lethal force for people to protect themselves and their property – saying on radio that she hears from the public about it “a lot” and that “people are very, very interested”, while laughing off the public’s concerns about current bus safety officers being armed with guns.

The latest comments from the Chief Minister have caused further concern from law and justice groups, who say her ‘tough on crime’ measures are not working as crime continues to rise and her attitude shows she has no interest in finding real solutions while implementing “escalatory policies” that could lead to confrontations and death.

Ms Finocchiaro was asked about introducing Castle Law by an ABC Radio listener during a radio spot on Tuesday morning.

“It’s a good question,” she said. “I mean, people are carrying on about having [armed] police on a bus, so imagine if we brought in Castle Law?

“Isn’t it funny, the extremes of people’s views, but I hear you on Castle Law. We get this a lot. People are very, very interested. And this again, is symptomatic of the fact that we’ve had a lack of support for our police and that’s what we’re turning around.”

She did not rule out introducing the legislation, which has been discussed in Queensland Parliament, drawing condemnation by the Queensland Law Society as “state sanctioned murder”.

Similar to Queensland, the Northern Territory has laws in place that permit home owners to use “reasonable force” to protect themselves from home intruders, but introducing the so-called Castle Law would diminish criminal responsibility if a death occurred in the home.

Ms Finocchiaro said she was focused on her government’s recent ‘tough on crime’ announcements at the moment, including turning bus cops and public housing safety officers into lesser trained police public safety officers (PPSOs) armed with guns to combat anti-social behaviour in public places, as well as legalising the purchase of OC spray for Territorians who want to purchase it for self-defence.

“Let’s not forget, the trial of OC spray starts 1 September, that is all on track,” she said.

“This is about giving, you know, law abiding Territorians more opportunity to defend themselves, should they need it. And again, this is not compulsory. People can purchase OC spray lawfully under the rules that we’ll announce in a few weeks time.

“And this will be a regulated substance, but we’re moving through to find more ways for people to protect themselves. And you know that that’s what the next step for us is.”

The question about Castle Law was raised shortly after Ms Finiocchiaro ridiculed another ABC listener who called in to seek assurances that arming current transit safety officers with firearms after a shortened training program would not result in children getting caught in the crossfire on a bus if an officer chose to use the firearm.

“What is the guarantee that these police aren’t going to pull a gun in an enclosed space with children on a bus,” the caller asked.

Ms Finocchiaro laughed at the question.

“Ok, everyone can just calm down,” she said. “Our police carry weapons. They carry OC spray, they carry all sorts of things to protect the community. The police are there to catch the bad guys and that’s what they do every single day. That’s what they’re trained for.

“They are a symbol of strength and security for everyday Territorians, right? If you’re a criminal, you should be worried when you see a police officer. I really don’t know how else to say it.”

She added concerns about the lack of training for PPSOs, which has not yet been developed but is set to commence later this year, was a “beat-up by people who want to cause hysteria”.

“But I can tell you when I see a police officer I feel safe,” the Chief Minister said. “You entrust them with your life and that’s exactly what we’re delivering across the Territory.”

The comments come a week after Coroner Elisabeth Armitage delivered her findings into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, in which she suggested “institutional racism” was alive within the NT Police force and comes while two other Aboriginal deaths in custody are under investigation.

North Australia Aboriginal Justice Association chief executive Anthony Beven said the CLP Government’s moves to arm bus safety officers with guns and allow the public to buy capsicum spray was troubling enough, without introducing Castle Law.

“The last thing we want to see is more legislation putting people into confrontation leading to potential death and serious injury,” he said.

“Our issue is the issue of police on buses, private citizens having pepper spray, it’s putting people in confrontation with each other and can only lead to circumstances where there will be an unfortunate accident.

“We should be looking at de-escalation and addressing concerns around community safety in a different way.”

A local justice advocacy group has also criticised Ms Finocchiaro’s government for not working with Indigenous Territorians to find solutions to the Territory’s crime issues and instead targeting Aboriginal Territorians with her suite of tough on crime measures, which also included reducing the age of criminal responsibility to 10 and cracking down on bail that has seen the Territory’s corrections facilities overcrowded and a breakdown in the courts system, with cases of people being lost in the system awaiting their court appearance.

Justice Not Jails said the Chief Minister’s comments that she does not fear police “demonstrates her profound privilege and disconnection with Indigenous communities across the Territory who bear the brunt of racist policing” and that “the police have a history of using dangerous and unnecessary force particularly against Frist Nations people and people of colour”.

“The Chief Minister’s dismissive attitude towards those who are raising concerns about guns being allowed on buses is consistent with her government’s refusal to consult with the community about what would genuinely make us feel safer,” said JNJ member Stephen Enciso.

“It is alarming that the Chief Minister did not rule out introducing Castle Law…”

Anna Sri, another member of JNJ, said the Chief Minister should be looking at “therapeutic interventions, easing the financial stress on households and keeping children away from the criminal justice system” if she wanted to reduce crime, rather than focus on “escalatory policies” such as allowing guns on buses.

“The Chief Minister must rule out Castle Law for the Terrritory, as introducing it could see a significant increase in racial violence,” she said.