Knife Crime Resources

Prohibited Weapons List

Complete list of weapons prohibited under CJA 1988 s.141 and related legislation, including recent additions and exemptions.

LegislationPursue

Overview

This reference document lists all weapons prohibited under CJA 1988 s.141 and the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988 (as amended). Possession, manufacture, sale, hire, loan, or gift of these weapons is a criminal offence.

Prohibited Weapons by Category

Knives and Bladed Weapons

  • Butterfly knife (balisong): A blade enclosed in a two-part handle that counter-rotates around the tang
  • Flick knife (switchblade): A blade released from the handle by a button, spring, or gravity (prohibited under ROWA 1959)
  • Gravity knife: A blade released from the handle by gravity or centrifugal force (prohibited under ROWA 1959)
  • Zombie knife: A blade with a cutting edge, serrated edge, and images or words suggesting violence
  • Zombie-style knife/machete: A blade over 8 inches with a point and plain cutting edge (added September 2024)
  • Cyclone knife: A blade with a spiral or helical form
  • Push dagger: A blade perpendicular to the handle
  • Swordstick: A blade concealed in a walking stick
  • Stealth knife: A blade not detectable by metal detectors, made for violence
  • Disguised knife: A blade concealed in everyday objects (belt buckle, lipstick, comb, etc.)
  • Ninja sword: A curved blade over 50cm with a hilt handle (added August 2025)
  • Curved sword over 50cm: Unless made before 1954, by traditional methods, or for specific purposes

Non-Bladed Weapons

  • Knuckleduster: Metal device worn on knuckles to increase punch force
  • Telescopic truncheon: Extendable baton
  • Kusari-gama: Sickle attached to a rope with weight
  • Kyoketsu-shoge: Hook-knife attached to a rope with weight
  • Manrikigusari/kusari: Weighted chain
  • Shuriken (throwing star): Star-shaped projectile
  • Balisong trainer: Non-sharpened butterfly knife training tool (not prohibited - no blade)

Recent Amendments

September 2024: Zombie-style knives and machetes added. Defined as blades over 8 inches (20.32cm) with a point and plain cutting edge. This captures large bladed weapons even without serrations or violent imagery.

August 2025: Ninja swords added. Defined as curved blades over 50cm with a hilt-style handle, often marketed with samurai or ninja associations.

Exemptions

Prohibited Weapons Overview

This document outlines weapons prohibited under CJA 1988 s.141 and the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988. Possession, manufacture, sale, hire, loan, or gift of these weapons is a criminal offence.

Categories of Prohibited Weapons

Knives and Bladed Weapons

  • Butterfly knife (balisong): A blade enclosed in a two-part handle.
  • Flick knife (switchblade): A blade released by a button or spring.
  • Gravity knife: A blade released by gravity or centrifugal force.
  • Zombie knife: A blade with violent imagery.
  • Zombie-style knife/machete: Blade over 8 inches with a point.
  • Cyclone knife: Spiral cutting edge.
  • Push dagger: Blade perpendicular to handle.
  • Swordstick: Blade concealed in a walking stick.
  • Stealth knife: Non-metallic blade.
  • Disguised knife: Blade concealed in everyday objects.
  • Ninja sword: Curved blade over 50cm.
  • Curved sword over 50cm: Prohibited unless antique.

Non-Bladed Weapons

  • Knuckleduster: Metal device worn over knuckles.
  • Telescopic truncheon: Extendable baton.
  • Kusari-gama: Sickle with a weighted chain.
  • Kyoketsu-shoge: Hook-knife with a rope.
  • Manrikigusari/kusari: Weighted chain.
  • Shuriken (throwing star): Star-shaped projectile.
  • Handclaw: Band with sharp spikes.
  • Footclaw: Band with spikes.
  • Belt buckle knife: Knife in a belt buckle.

Recent Amendments

  • September 2024: Added zombie-style knives and machetes.
  • August 2025: Added ninja swords.

Exemptions

  • Antique weapons: Pre-1954 weapons exempt from sale prohibition.
  • Museums and galleries: Exempt for educational purposes.
  • Theatrical, film, and TV use: Exempt for productions.
  • Religious purposes: Sikh kirpan exempt.
  • Martial arts: Exempt for genuine practice.
  • Crown servants: Exempt in course of duties.
  • Licensed dealers: Exempt with licensing.

Non-Exemptions

  • Personal protection: Not exempt.
  • Collection without antique status: Not exempt.
  • Decorative display: Not exempt.
  • Inherited weapons: Not exempt.

Key Legislation