Australian Police

Australian Police

The Thin Blue Line – Australian Police

Prohibited Weapons

image_pdfimage_print

Miscellaneous Weapons:

*Missile launchers:

any device that is designed to propel or launch a bomb, grenade, rocket or missile by any means other than an explosive.

Bomb, grenade, rocket, missile or mine:

or any similar device which expels or contains an explosive, incendiary, irritant or gas.

Flame thrower:

that is of military design or any other device that is capable of projecting ignited incendiary fuel.

Crossbow:

or any similar device consisting of a bow fitted transversely on a stock that has a groove or barrel designed to direct an arrow or bolt.

Sling shot

a device consisting of an elasticised band secured to the forks of a Y shaped frame other than a home made sling shot for use by a child in the course of play.

Mace:

or any other similar article that consists of a club or staff fitted with a flanged or spiked head, other than a ceremonial mace made for and used solely as a symbol of authority on ceremonial occasions.

Flail:

or any other similar article that consists of a staff or handle that has fitted to one end, by any means, a freely swinging striking part that is armed with spikes or studded with any protruding matter.

Whip:

that has a lash which is comprised wholly or partly of any form of metal.

Cat-o’-nine tails:

or any other whip that consists of a handle to which there is attached any number of knotted lashes.

King fu sticks or ‘nunchaku’:

or any other article consisting of two or more sticks or bars made of any material that are joined together by any means that allows the sticks or bars to swing independently of each other.

Side-handled baton:

or any other article consisting of a baton, staff or rod that is made of any hard substance and has fitted to one side a handle, whether or not that handle is permanently fixed.

Knuckle-dusters:

or any other similar article that is made of any hard substance and that can be fitted over the knuckles of the hand of the user to protect.

Taser Self-Defence Weapon:

Any hand-held device that is designed to administer an electric shock on contact, such as the Taser Self-Defence Weapon or an electrified brief-case, but do not include any such hand-held device that may lawfully be used on an animal in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.

*Extendable or Telescopic Baton:

or any article consisting of a baton, staff or rod that is made of any hard substance and has fitted to one side a handle, whether or not that handle is permanently fixed.

*Devices designed to stun or disorient people by emitting noise and light:

(known as sound & flash grenades)

any acoustic or light emitting anti-personal device that is designed to cause permanent or temporary incapacity or to otherwise disorientate persons.

Miscellaneous articles:

Body armour vests:

or other similar articles designed for anti-ballistic purposes and to be worn on any part of the body (other than helmets or anti-ballistic articles used for eye or hearing protection).

Handcuffs:

(other than antique handcuffs, or children’s toy handcuffs that are of an approved type).

Silencers:

or any other device designed for attachment to a firearm for the purpose of muffling, reducing or stopping the noise created by firing the firearm.

Replicas, imitations, concealed blades:

Walking stick or cane:

that contains a sword or any other single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or of any material.

Riding crop:

that contains a knife, stiletto or any other single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or material.

Bowen Knife Belt:

or any other similar article consisting of a belt or buckle that conceals or disguises within the article a knife or a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or of any material.

Concealed knives:

any article or device that:a) due to its appearance is capable of being mistaken for something else that is not a weapon, and

b) disguises and conceals within it a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or of any material.

Replica or imitation firearms:

an imitation of any firearm which requires a licence or permit under the Firearms Act, unless approved by the Commissioner of Police.

Imitation or replica of a bomb, grenade, rocket, missile or mine:

unless approved by the Commissioner of Police.

Knives:

Flick knife:(or other similar device)

a blade which opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by any pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle of the knife.

*Ballistic knife:

a knife that propels a knife-like blade of any material by any means other than an explosive.

Sheath knife:

a knife which has a sheath which withdraws into its handle by gravity or centrifugal force or if pressure is applied to a button, spring or device attached to or forming part of the sheath, handle or blade of the knife.

Urban Skinner push dagger:

or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that has a handle fitted transversely to the blade or spike and allows the blade or spike to be supported by the palm of the hand so that stabbing blows or slashes can be inflicted by a punching or pushing action.

Trench knife:

or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that is fitted with a handle made of any hard substance that can be fitted over the knuckles of the hand of the user to protect the knuckles and increase the effect of a punch or blow, or that is adapted for such use.

Butterfly knife or ‘balisong’:

or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that fits within two handles attached to the blade or spike by transverse pivot pins and is capable of being opened by gravity or centrifugal force.

Star knife:

or any other device that consists of a number of angular points, blades or spikes disposed outwardly about a central axis point and that are designed to spin around the central axis point in flight when thrown at a target.

*Missile launchers:

any device that is designed to propel or launch a bomb, grenade, rocket or missile by any means other than an explosive.

Bomb, grenade, rocket, missile or mine:

or any similar device which expels or contains an explosive, incendiary, irritant or gas.

Flame thrower:

that is of military design or any other device that is capable of projecting ignited incendiary fuel.

Crossbow:

or any similar device consisting of a bow fitted transversely on a stock that has a groove or barrel designed to direct an arrow or bolt.

Sling shot

a device consisting of an elasticised band secured to the forks of a Y shaped frame other than a home made sling shot for use by a child in the course of play.

Mace:

or any other similar article that consists of a club or staff fitted with a flanged or spiked head, other than a ceremonial mace made for and used solely as a symbol of authority on ceremonial occasions.

Flail:

or any other similar article that consists of a staff or handle that has fitted to one end, by any means, a freely swinging striking part that is armed with spikes or studded with any protruding matter.

Whip:

that has a lash which is comprised wholly or partly of any form of metal.

Cat-o’-nine tails:

or any other whip that consists of a handle to which there is attached any number of knotted lashes.

King fu sticks or ‘nunchaku’:

or any other article consisting of two or more sticks or bars made of any material that are joined together by any means that allows the sticks or bars to swing independently of each other.

Side-handled baton:

or any other article consisting of a baton, staff or rod that is made of any hard substance and has fitted to one side a handle, whether or not that handle is permanently fixed.

Knuckle-dusters:

or any other similar article that is made of any hard substance and that can be fitted over the knuckles of the hand of the user to protect.

Taser Self-Defence Weapon:

Any hand-held device that is designed to administer an electric shock on contact, such as the Taser Self-Defence Weapon or an electrified brief-case, but do not include any such hand-held device that may lawfully be used on an animal in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.

*Extendable or Telescopic Baton:

or any article consisting of a baton, staff or rod that is made of any hard substance and has fitted to one side a handle, whether or not that handle is permanently fixed.

*Devices designed to stun or disorient people by emitting noise and light:

(known as sound & flash grenades)

any acoustic or light emitting anti-personal device that is designed to cause permanent or temporary incapacity or to otherwise disorientate persons.

Miscellaneous articles:

Body armour vests:

or other similar articles designed for anti-ballistic purposes and to be worn on any part of the body (other than helmets or anti-ballistic articles used for eye or hearing protection).

Handcuffs:

(other than antique handcuffs, or children’s toy handcuffs that are of an approved type).

Silencers:

or any other device designed for attachment to a firearm for the purpose of muffling, reducing or stopping the noise created by firing the firearm.

Replicas, imitations, concealed blades:

Walking stick or cane:

that contains a sword or any other single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or of any material.

Riding crop:

that contains a knife, stiletto or any other single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or material.

Bowen Knife Belt:

or any other similar article consisting of a belt or buckle that conceals or disguises within the article a knife or a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or of any material.

Concealed knives:

any article or device that:a) due to its appearance is capable of being mistaken for something else that is not a weapon, and

b) disguises and conceals within it a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or of any material.

Replica or imitation firearms:

an imitation of any firearm which requires a licence or permit under the Firearms Act, unless approved by the Commissioner of Police.

Imitation or replica of a bomb, grenade, rocket, missile or mine:

unless approved by the Commissioner of Police.

Knives:

Flick knife:(or other similar device)

a blade which opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by any pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle of the knife.

*Ballistic knife:

a knife that propels a knife-like blade of any material by any means other than an explosive.

Sheath knife:

a knife which has a sheath which withdraws into its handle by gravity or centrifugal force or if pressure is applied to a button, spring or device attached to or forming part of the sheath, handle or blade of the knife.

Urban Skinner push dagger:

or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that has a handle fitted transversely to the blade or spike and allows the blade or spike to be supported by the palm of the hand so that stabbing blows or slashes can be inflicted by a punching or pushing action.

Trench knife:

or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that is fitted with a handle made of any hard substance that can be fitted over the knuckles of the hand of the user to protect the knuckles and increase the effect of a punch or blow, or that is adapted for such use.

Butterfly knife or ‘balisong’:

or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that fits within two handles attached to the blade or spike by transverse pivot pins and is capable of being opened by gravity or centrifugal force.

Star knife:

or any other device that consists of a number of angular points, blades or spikes disposed outwardly about a central axis point and that are designed to spin around the central axis point in flight when thrown at a target.

37 thoughts on “Prohibited Weapons

  • Blake Lockett

    Am I able to buy a Sheath knife that has already been in an Australian knife store and then keep it in my house, and if yes can I take it fishing with me?

    • Hi Blake,
      If you are purchasing a knife for fishing purposes and have it with you whilst fishing – that is legal.
      If you have the knife with you any other time whereby you can’t justify carrying it, then that is illegal.

      Cal

      • Blake Lockett

        I am also 17 and living in Queensland, does this rule still apply. Thanks

        • Sorry, I don’t know what the legal requirements are for Qld. Only NSW.

  • Is it ok to have foam nunchucks at home for kids to mess around with?

  • Just want to join in here, I’m heavily into Assassin’s Creed and all that and was wondering if I were to order a ‘hidden blade’s from china to Aus, is that illegal? The base is metal but the blade itself is plastic.

    • Any concealable knives are illegal in Australia as far as I know, but you could search for anything that is legal online.

  • Bob Ferguson

    I’m curious as to wether an old fashion shepherds sling (such as used by David to slay Goliath) is prohibited or not.

    • i mean a sling shot is what David used, the title is wrong however that’s not illegal and a Shanghai (often called a slingshot but is not) is illegal.

  • I’ve always wanted to own a Sword Cane even if its just sitting on display. I understand that carrying them around and using them is illegal but i cant find a law saying “You can’t own one”. So am i allowed to own one or not?

  • How do you apply for a Prohibited weapons permit if i wanted to use a compound crossbow on a bit of land in the bush

  • Hi,
    I was just wondering is any thing like a switchblade comb or the like allowed to be possessed in Australia?

    • sadly no
      any parts of devises that could be used are allowed to be confiscated in customs or by local law enforcement, the butterfly knife (bail-song) is illegal to;

      • own
      • borrow
      • distribute
      • buy
      • carry
      • sell
      • ect
  • Hello im am just wondering if the importation of these (https://www.cutss.com/collections/Butterfly2) Balisongs/butterfly knife are illegal and will be confiscated at customs i am just wondering as id like to be informed if such item is legal

    • if they have a sharp blade it would be illegal but if you could order them with a blunt trainer blade then it should be legal

    • These guys get confiscated, ordered one a while back and it got swiped by border patrol

  • Am i allowed to carry a swiss army knife because I need it for my bike.

    • You can usually buy swiss army knives (or multitools) at any camping store, you should be fine.

    • A Swiss Army knife is aloud. It is mentioned in the regulations (Qld) as aloud by name and a penknife ( a knife that has one blade opening from each end and is designed to sharpen a quill. (Feather pen)) to be used for there intended purpose.

  • Is it legal to keep weapons at home like nunchucks or katana and is it legal to keep tonfa that is made out of sponge if it is legal i might buy one and only train at home but if it is not I won’t buy one so don’t worry

    • Katanas, tantos, wakizashis are all legal, nunchucku are illegal, I’m pretty sure tonfa are as well, as they are classified as a side-handled baton. You can apply for a licence that covers it, or if you teach/learn Kobudo at a recognised dojo, that can be a possible defence for owning prohibited/restricted weapons

  • continuing over the last comment i made

    what about other combat-wear that has no means of physical ballistic protection?
    to my understanding there are australian sites that advertise vests, helmets, etc. does this mean that they are legal?
    i live in an urban area nearby the ACT, and im more or less someone who is interested in recreational sports invoving military apparel, and even supporting the slow, but close-to-reaching-goal to legalize airsoft entirely. (32,000+ / 35,000 supporters).

    my intent with such things are strictly for fictional and sport oriented use. that is if legal or permitted easily.

    • A good point. I saw several guys wearing full combat gear at PAX Melbourne this year, including replica rifles (which ARE illegal apparently) but I didn’t get a chance to ask them if they’d purchased licenses to wear and carry said equipment or just said FU and bought it anyway.

      Honestly, these laws are so OTT it’s not funny. The fact that Australia has also banned airsoft is a joke. But it only takes one clown with a BB pistol holding up a servo to mess it up for the rest of us. Sigh.

      • Tarquin stated: ” Honestly, these laws are so OTT it’s not funny. The fact that Australia has also banned airsoft is a joke. But it only takes one clown with a BB pistol holding up a servo to mess it up for the rest of us. Sigh.”

        Here is the proof and on the very same day that you made the statement about the “one clown with a BB ”

        Lake Illawarra Police District
        9 hrs · ( Monday 18 November 2019 )

        A man will face court today charged with allegedly discharging a firearm in the Lake Illawarra area.

        About 7pm Friday (15 November 2019) a group of young people were standing in the front yard of a property on Kurrajong Street, Windang, when they noticed a silver BMW sedan drive past them slowly several times before driving away.

        Shortly after, the car returned to the location and a man allegedly wound down the window, before producing and firing more than ten shots from what appeared to be a hand gun.

        Two 16-year-old boys were hit with pellets from the firearm and damage was sustained to the front window of the house and the rear window of a nearby car.

        One boy sustained a small puncture wound to his forearm and the other sustained a minor chest injury.

        Officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District attended the location and pulled over the silver BMW, before conducting a search of the vehicle.

        Officers located and seized drugs and a ball bearing firearm.

        The driver of the vehicle – a 20-year-old-man – was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station.

        The man has been charged with supply prohibited drug, two counts of fire firearm manner likely injure persons/property, two counts of fire firearm at dwelling house with disregard for safety and possess unregistered firearm.

        The man was refused bail to appear before Wollongong Local Court today (Monday 18 November 2019).

        The public are reminded that ‘BB guns’ are defined as a firearm in NSW and require relevant licencing or permits to have one in your possession.

        It is also an offence to supply, acquire, possess or use a firearm that is not registered.

      • Replica rifles are illegal unless the individual owns an appropriate firearms licence. (Not the same Samuel).

  • could owning a “bullet proof vest” that contains no means of bullet resistance or purpose in any combat environment be legal, the purpose being for film, photography and costuming. (possibly collection and sports such as toy gun warfare like gelsoft, nerf, paintball in private property.)

  • I tried to get one off wish and it got stopped by SA customs due to it that it can be used as parts for a butterfly knife

  • As long as there is no blade it’s fine

  • Hey is it ok to own a training butterfly knife a (flat edge sing blade) I don’t currently own one but I’m looking to get one if it’s legal

    • Nope. I tried to import a trainer that is unable to be sharpened and it was confiscated by customs, as in I had to “forfeit it to the crown”, f* nonsense. If i wanted to hurt someone I’d just go to bunnings or kmart.

  • The idea that you shouldn’t’ be able to defend yourself , or family, in the event of a serious crime such as a home invasion or assault without fear of being charged yourself defies logic. And so it is with some items designed for personal or self-protection in mind, within reason.

    Criminals and/or those intent on being violent couldn’t care less about these laws. If they want a gun they will get it, and they do, if they want to use something else they will, and they do. If the concern is criminals having the devices they can get them anyway, yet most assaults utilise screwdrivers and commonly available items anyway. So it would seem it is only law abiding citizens seeking to protect themselves and their family are the ones impacted by these laws.

    We ought not head down the path of some states in the US, however, we ought to within reason be able to be prepared for the worst without fear of conviction. For instance, by being allowed deterant devices that won’t cause permanent incapacitation. ]

    • That is, if you catch a criminal with one of these prohibited weapons, there’s a law in place to punish them. And who’s seriously going to use a grenade, knuckle dusters or nunchucks as self defence ? Those have only offence purposes, not defence.

  • Personally, self defence weapons should be allowed. The law only stops those who abide by it from defending themselves. Criminals don’t care if a knife is illegal. They wouldn’t be mugging and raping, otherwise.

    The law is a fence with large holes in it.
    Those whomst opt to stay completely within the fence (law) (in this case, regarding concealed weapons) are the sheep.
    Those whomst encircle the OUTSIDE of the fence (law) are the wolves.

    All the wolves have to do is see an opportunity, whilst the Shepherds (law enforcement) aren’t around, to exploit the large holes in said fence and attack the sheep. The sheep aren’t physically able to defend themselves. They don’t have horns. They don’t have sharp teeth, many have no idea how to use their hooves to kick at the wolves (are not trained in self-defence/martial arts). The wolves are safe because they know the sheep can’t fight back.

    If the sheep is lucky to survive its ordeal, the best the farmer can do is find the wolf and shoot it. The sheep, however, must now live with what it has experienced and suffers for the rest of its life with hideous scars, and missing limbs or senses. Not to mention the PTSD or vivid dreams/spontaneous flashbacks with which it must now exist with.

    The wolf being gone does not fix this. Allow the sheep to be able to defend themselves and the horrific aftermath will most likely not become such a widespread problem.

    Find a weapon, write up some laws for it and let us as the public protect ourselves and others.

    • Honestly I couldn’t agree more

    • Sadandscared

      And frankly, police are getting rarer and reader on our streets… especially in the ACT.

      • Jason Bemrose

        The A.C.T. is a territory therefore state and federal law does not apply, check the legality of knifes and such for territories in australia l think you’ll find it differs from state legislation on the subject, due to large predatory animals esspecally in the N.T.

Comments are closed.