What are the legal restriction for possessing weapons ?

[Safroot]

In my previous thread :

http://www.karateforums.com/when-to-start-weapons-training-vt46512.html

This issue was raised and I thought it would be good to share together,

What are the legal restrictions of Possessing or training with weapons in your country/state ? and if possession is not allowed, is practice in the dojo without practicing at home enough ?!

Unfortunately, here in Australia possessing is pretty restricted but I am not sure if there is any single weapon permitted in Australia or not ??!!

[sensei8]

Nunchaku's, California Law, for example...

PENAL CODE

 

SECTION 22010-22090

 

22010. Except as provided in Section 22015 and Chapter 1

 

(commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person

 

in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports

 

into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who

 

gives, lends, or possesses any nunchaku is punishable by

 

imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment

 

pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.

 

22015. Section 22010 does not apply to either of the following:

 

(a) The possession of a nunchaku on the premises of a school that

 

holds a regulatory or business license and teaches the arts of

 

self-defense.

 

(b) The manufacture of a nunchaku for sale to, or the sale of a

 

nunchaku to, a school that holds a regulatory or business license and

 

teaches the arts of self-defense.

 

22090. Except as provided in Section 22015 and in Chapter 1

 

(commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any

 

nunchaku is a nuisance and is subject to Section 18010.

Like MA weapons carry the same California Laws. Legality in the United States varies at the state level. New York, Arizona, California, and Massachusetts have made possession of MA weapons unlawful.

[Nidan Melbourne]

I live in Australia as well Safroot. It is very restricted yes but there are some allowances for possession of weapons, but you require the police commissioners permission to own it.

You need to be careful about what weapons you wish to use. I know eskrima sticks are allowable but obviously you have to prove that your intentions are for training.

Which state do you live in? Here is the link for Victoria Police of what is prohibited http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=25574

[Safroot]

I live in Australia as well Safroot. It is very restricted yes but there are some allowances for possession of weapons, but you require the police commissioners permission to own it.

You need to be careful about what weapons you wish to use. I know eskrima sticks are allowable but obviously you have to prove that your intentions are for training.

Which state do you live in? Here is the link for Victoria Police of what is prohibited http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=25574

Thx so much for your help, i live in NSW so I guess it might be different i have to check

[Nidan Melbourne]

I live in Australia as well Safroot. It is very restricted yes but there are some allowances for possession of weapons, but you require the police commissioners permission to own it.

You need to be careful about what weapons you wish to use. I know eskrima sticks are allowable but obviously you have to prove that your intentions are for training.

Which state do you live in? Here is the link for Victoria Police of what is prohibited http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=25574

Thx so much for your help, i live in NSW so I guess it might be different i have to check

Check with NSW Police then. Go into your local station and ask for their seargant or most senior staff on duty, and they should be able to help. Otherwise go through the Police Website (http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/) Usually they are normally quite helpful.

[Safroot]

I live in Australia as well Safroot. It is very restricted yes but there are some allowances for possession of weapons, but you require the police commissioners permission to own it.

You need to be careful about what weapons you wish to use. I know eskrima sticks are allowable but obviously you have to prove that your intentions are for training.

Which state do you live in? Here is the link for Victoria Police of what is prohibited http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=25574

Thx so much for your help, i live in NSW so I guess it might be different i have to check

Check with NSW Police then. Go into your local station and ask for their seargant or most senior staff on duty, and they should be able to help. Otherwise go through the Police Website (http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/) Usually they are normally quite helpful.

Thanks so much for your help, I will

[Nidan Melbourne]

Most welcome!

[Spartacus Maximus]

Weapons are always going to be regulated and controlled to some degree in any modern civilized society. This is obvious for firearms but should also be expected for weapons that are unusual and not commonly seen.

People fear what they don't understand so it is not unusual for exotic martial arts weapons to be more strictly regulated than guns. In some places guns may be easily owned legally whereas nunchaku are fully prohibited. For some reason the public and the law sees that weapon as more dangerous than an automatic pistol.

This is why I think owning martial arts weapons is not worth the hassles of requesting permission or justifying it to a legal authority. I advise caution and precautions. For example:

Keep your weapons locked up and out of sight when not practicing

Don't display them or show them to casual observers or people who are not involved in martial arts.

Hide them of you must carry them to and from your training place.

Do not ever practise with them outside where passersby may see you. Even In your own yard.

Finally, if it has any sharp point or edges then you can assume its illegal or very strictly controlled. Best not own any of those.

I learned this from an unfortunate incident when I was I Uni a few years ago. I had to run after a busybody called the campus police because she saw me quietly practising with tonfa. I didn't wait for them to arrive because I was not willing to explain. After that rude interruption, I stayed away from that part of campus and kept all my training secret.

Anyway, you will get the most accurate answer by asking the authorities directly.

[Wastelander]

My state is so much easier than all of yours' . I can own and carry any weapon that isn't restricted by Federal law, and I can own and carry those, too, if I have the licenses to do so.

[Spartacus Maximus]

You are lucky to have that freedom. I always assume the strictest regulations wherever I go. That way I can't be wrong. It's always a good idea to assume weapons are strictly controlled.