„Dangerous objects” are another type of weapon in Victoria and include any legal item such as a kitchen knife that becomes dangerous when used as a weapon. These may be, for example, golf clubs or hammer clubs. It is illegal to transport these items in public with the intention of using them as a weapon. This carries sentences of up to 6 months in prison (12 months in prison if taken to or near a licensed restaurant selling alcohol). You may legally wear these items and use them for their intended lawful purposes (for lawful excuse). It is illegal to possess these items or use them for self-defense. NSW: Slingshots are illegal in New South Wales and cannot be sold (with the exception of the Pocket Shot Slingshot, as it is not a Y-frame). NSW Weapons ActAppendix 1 – Prohibited Sling (device consisting of an elastic band attached to the forks of a „Y” shaped frame) Other types of weapons include „controlled weapons” such as kitchen knives, harpoons, hunting knives and cattle hunters. It is illegal to possess or transport these items unless you have a lawful excuse. This is punishable by up to 12 months in prison (or two years in prison if taken to or near licensed rooms where alcohol is sold). If you are transporting such items, you must also ensure that it is done safely.
Gun laws are similar with some differences between Australia`s states and territories. In general, gun laws across Australia make it illegal to possess or use weapons such as dangerous knives, pepper spray/OC spray/paprika spray, US punches, grenades and other types of lethal weapons unless you have a special licence or fall under an exemption. Here we describe the laws and penalties for firearms in some Australian states and territories. Current state laws and gun laws for each Australian state, so you can determine if your knife or slingshot is legal in your state, for example. We also highlighted some points where we identified limitations. While we regularly review current laws and regulations, they are complex and subject to change. Any summary or information below is never intended to be legal advice in any way. It is illegal to use or possess a prohibited weapon without a licence. It is also illegal to possess or use a prohibited weapon for a reason that is not part of the „actual reason” for which you received a licence (or if you are in breach of a condition of authorization). Penalties of up to 14 years` imprisonment apply under section 7 of the Arms Prohibition Act 1998 (NSW) („Arms Prohibition Act 1998”). What can I legally take with me to defend myself in Australia? The same goes for women who use weapons to defend themselves. This is still illegal in New South Wales without a valid permit, except in Western Australia.
Anything that falls under the definition of a „prohibited weapon” in Schedule 1 of the Weapons Act is illegal in New South Wales (unless you have a licence). But anything outside of it can also be considered illegal if it is considered an „offensive weapon” under New South Wales` Crimes Act. This includes any dangerous weapon (e.g. firearm, imitation firearm or prohibited weapon) or anything manufactured or adapted for offensive purposes, or anything that is used, intended or threatened to be used for offensive purposes in the circumstances, whether it is normally used for offensive purposes or likely to cause harm. WA: Slingshots are illegal in Western Australia and cannot be sold. WA Weapons RegulationsNT: Slingshots are illegal in the Northwest Territories and cannot be sold. Arms Control OrdinanceNT TAS Legislative Database: Slingshots are legal in Tasmania as long as they are used on private property (Confirmed by contact at www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ImportingWeapons-PoliceCertificationTest.pdf) TAS Weapons ActTAS Imitation FirearmsSA: Slingshots are considered a dangerous item, and the exception must presented.SA Weapons ActSA Weapons RegulationSA Police – List of Weapons Carrying a dangerous object or controlled weapon for self-defence or self-protection is illegal in Victoria. Self-defence is not considered a legitimate excuse for owning a firearm.
Contrary to what people believe, it is also illegal to wear pepper spray or paprika to protect or defend oneself in Victoria. Pepper spray or paprika spray is considered a prohibited weapon in Victoria and can only be worn if you have a governor in the Council`s exemption order or Chief Superintendent (Vic Police) approval. The fourth type of weapon in Victoria is the „bulletproof vest”. It is illegal to possess bulletproof vests in Victoria unless approved by the Chief Commissioner (Vic Police). This carries up to two years in prison. What weapons are legal in Australia? Anything classified as „Prohibited Schedule 1 of the Prohibition of Weapons Act 1998” describes a list of weapons classified as „prohibited weapons” and includes the following: It is illegal to incur penalties of up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of $36,000, carry, possess, purchase, sell a prohibited weapon, deliver, manufacture or bring/ship to Western Australia. required by section 6 of the Weapons Act 1999 (WA). You are allowed to possess or use a prohibited weapon in Western Australia if you fall under one of the exceptions, including the following: All states and territories, except Western Australia, have similar firearms laws that make it illegal to carry or use a firearm unless you have a valid permit or license or an approved exemption for that state or territory. There is a threat of severe criminal penalties. Western Australia is the only state that allows people to wear pepper spray or OC sprays without a self-defence permit.
This article also describes firearms licensing laws in Australia. Possession of a prohibited weapon for self-defence is unlawful under section 11 of the Weapons Act 1998. One of the exceptions is bulletproof vests, which can be legally used for self-defence, although they are considered a prohibited weapon in New South Wales. Carrying a knife in public, whatever it is, is a criminal offence in New South Wales punishable by up to 2 years in prison and/or a $2,200 fine if dealt with in court, or a $550 fine if the police decide to fine you instead (this means you don`t have to go to court and be prosecuted, if you get paid). You may carry a knife in public if you have a reasonable excuse which may include genuine religious purposes, wearing an official uniform, organizing the knife collectors` exhibition, preparing or consuming food or beverages, participating in legal entertainment, recreation or sports. Western Australia is the only place in Australia where pepper spray can be transported in self-defence if you have reasonable grounds for arrest or a lawful excuse. This may mean that a woman walking alone in a park in the middle of the night might have a reasonable reason to wear pepper spray to defend herself. In all other places in Australia, it is illegal to carry prohibited weapons for protection or self-defence. A crossbow consisting of a bow mounted transversely on a shaft with a groove or barrel that directs an arrow or bolt is classified as a „prohibited weapon” and is illegal in New South Wales.
To legally possess or use a crossbow, you must have a firearms licence. Severe criminal penalties are required by New South Wales` firearms laws. Similar laws apply in all states and territories of Australia regarding crossbows. The New South Wales Weapons Act prohibits any person from carrying a prohibited weapon as defined in Schedule 1, including a folding knife with a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force, or by pressure that applies to a button, spring or device attached to the handle of the knife. The Schedule lists other items classified as „prohibited weapons” in New South Wales. If the Swiss Army knife you have falls under the designation of a „prohibited weapon”, then it is illegal.