Legality of Nunchucks

Fluffy Stuff Buffer

Hello, Boards, I was just struck with the curious urge to become adept at using nunchucks, but can't find anything definitive on their legal status in Ireland. Also, does anyone know where I can get a pair? I had a foam pair when I was a kid, I didn't realise how good I had it back then, now I'm old and nunchuckless.

_oveless_

just say you're a rice farmer and you need them for work

Peetrik

I could see Nunchucks falling under the firearms and offensive weapons act as being "any other article whatsoever made or adapted for use for causing injury to or incapacitating a person".

You can buy them in Ireland alright, try One 2 one on Mary street (near the Jervis). Although they are not mentioned in the act, you'd probably need a good excuse for having a set if you're not training in a club...

Dyr

They're legal to own as far as I remember. Thats "own" though not "wander around with them in your pocket"

They're a poxy weapon though. Only farmers could have invented them

Mellor

Peetrik wrote: »

I could see Nunchucks falling under the firearms and offensive weapons act as being "any other article whatsoever made or adapted for use for causing injury to or incapacitating a person".

That would be my understanding of it also.
Illegal to have them in a public place (or trespassing on private), prehaps ok to own.

They aren't mentioned specifically in the part about selling weapons either, and that's the only section that actual names various weapons. It does mention kusari - weights or hand grips fixed to a length of chain, but I don't think that's intended to apply, or else wouldn't be in the shop.

Kungfu

Not all weapons are specifically mentioned in the Act and a Garda has the power to confiscate any device which he/she may conceive to be an offensive weapon. Furthermore a garda may charge you with having such a weapon. The only way out of this would be if you can prove that you are a member of a martial arts club and either on your way to or back from a training session. If arrested it would be up to the DPP to decide if you are to be charged under the Act. If the DPP decides to charge you it would then as in any other case be up to a jury to decide if you wre carrying the weapon with ill intent. Self defense is not an acceptable plea for carrying an offensive weapon. The key is in the terms self "defense"/ "offensive" weapon.

However you didn't say why you wish to possess/use /practice with such a weapon. Are you training in a martial art? Is it a system that incorporates the nunchaku? Will you receive expert instruction?

To be honest, unless you could truthfully answer "yes" to those questions I wouldn't be inclined to help you in finding such a weapon, or for that matter any weapon. And if you are training under a qualified instuctor, why not ask this question of him/her?

Kungfu

Mellor wrote: »

That would be my understanding of it also.
Illegal to have them in a public place (or trespassing on private), prehaps ok to own.

They aren't mentioned specifically in the part about selling weapons either, and that's the only section that actual names various weapons. It does mention kusari - weights or hand grips fixed to a length of chain, but I don't think that's intended to apply, or else wouldn't be in the shop.

In a public place for sure. But I don't know so much about having them in your home. Fine if the cops don't know about them or if they do but you are known to be a trained martial artist, but if they find out about them and you are not known to them to be a martial artist and can't show them any proof of such you might have some questions to ask. Suppose it can depend upon the cop concerned?

Kungfu

Always thought it a bit weird that a shop can display and sell all types of knives/daggers but a customer could technically be charged with being in possession of an offensive weapon if caught with it on the way home after buying it. Technically of course.