Nunchaku Laws In Canada

[AstreaEvania]

I've been considering purchasing nunchaku and I know that they're illegal in some places. I was just wondering if anyone knows the rules in Canada (specifically Ontario). I have no idea how to go about finding this out so I hope you guys can help. Much thanks.

Always & Forever,
Æ

[Ju-Jack-su]

Do they acually sell them to under 18s?

[Rudy W. Timmerman]

Nunchaku or Juhl Bong are illegal in Ontario. You can not buy, sell, give away, own, throw away, or possess this weapon as well as Manriki Gusari, Gusari Kama, throwing stars or knives, Balisong, or any knife or baton that opens with mecanical or flicking motion.

Martial art students from the US (where in some States these weapons ARE legal) coming to compete in Canada will have BIG problems if they are caught with one of these weapons coming across the border.

If, as a Canadian citizen, you do own one, you must bring it to a Police station for disposal. Unfortunate, but that is the law. There seems to be a bit of confusion on plastic or rubber chucks; however, you stand a good chance of being charged with a prohibited weapon if the officer does not know the actual rule of law on "toys".

In Canada, anything "intended" to be used as a weapon to injure someone is considered illegal. If you bit someone with your Grandma's false teeth, they would be considered a weapon.

[AstreaEvania]

Do they acually sell them to under 18s?

Well naturally I wouldn't be the one actually purchasing them...

Always & Forever,
Æ

[AstreaEvania]

Nunchaku or Juhl Bong are illegal in Ontario. You can not buy, sell, give away, own, throw away, or possess this weapon as well as Manriki Gusari, Gusari Kama, throwing stars or knives, Balisong, or any knife or baton that opens with mecanical or flicking motion.

GAH! No throwing knives?! *quickly hides her...umm..."nicely blanced steak knives"* Throwing knives? What throwing knives? I'm still in shock. Isn't there some legal loophole or something where you can register them or something? Does anyone find this ridiculous? We can own guns but not nunchaku?! How flawed is that... *grumbles*

Always & Forever,
Æ

[nythius]

I live in British Columbia and they're also illegal here. But so are lots of things

[AstreaEvania]

I always thought being an outlaw would be interesting...

Always & Forever,
Æ

[Rudy W. Timmerman]

... Isn't there some legal loophole or something where you can register them or something? Does anyone find this ridiculous? We can own guns but not nunchaku?! How flawed is that... *grumbles*

Always & Forever,
Æ

Some weapons, like guns, are restricted. The ones you inquired about are prohibited... BIG difference. No legal loopholes there.

[Ju-Jack-su]

In the UK its fine. At least I think so. I bought a pair for my jujutsu. However. I had trained with foam/plastic ones before. I really wouldnt recommend just impulse buying nunchaku, obviously you cant anyway - legally.

[Musubi Dojo]

Nunchaku or Juhl Bong are illegal in Ontario. You can not buy, sell, give away, own, throw away, or possess this weapon as well as Manriki Gusari, Gusari Kama, throwing stars or knives, Balisong, or any knife or baton that opens with mecanical or flicking motion.

Martial art students from the US (where in some States these weapons ARE legal) coming to compete in Canada will have BIG problems if they are caught with one of these weapons coming across the border.

If, as a Canadian citizen, you do own one, you must bring it to a Police station for disposal. Unfortunate, but that is the law. There seems to be a bit of confusion on plastic or rubber chucks; however, you stand a good chance of being charged with a prohibited weapon if the officer does not know the actual rule of law on "toys".

In Canada, anything "intended" to be used as a weapon to injure someone is considered illegal. If you bit someone with your Grandma's false teeth, they would be considered a weapon.

Hi Rudy;

Are you sure about throwing knives, kama's and expandable batons?
I see them on sale on downtown TO all the time...( I know that doesn't necesairly mean they're being sold legally)

I also know that knives that open by a spring mechanism or by centrifical force or illegal but you can buy the knives that are propelled open by a torsion bar.

Cheers
Chris

[Andrew Green]

Throwing knives are legal AFAIK

Expandable batons, it depends on how they expand I believe. Some are some aren't.

Nunchaku - You can buy the plastic / foam ones here but "real" ones are illegal.

[AstreaEvania]

Throwing knives are legal AFAIK

*breathes sigh of relief*

Nunchaku - You can buy the plastic / foam ones here but "real" ones are illegal.

I wasn't planning to go out and buy real ones, "practice" ones will be just fine.

I don't know if my brain has gone on the fritz or not, but could someone explain to me why the government would allow the purchase of guns (with restrictions) but completely prohibit nunchaku? I mean come on, how many crimes and accidents occur with guns? Are you telling me nunchaku are more dangerous? Or is there a different reason altogether as to why they're illegal?

Always & Forever,
Æ

[Ramirez]

As far as I know the expandable metal batons are legal - I bought one for my uncle as a gift last year, I found them at two of the major martial arts stores in downtown Toronto.

[Musubi Dojo]

I believe the batons are legal to own, but not to carry or use unless you are some sort of law enforcement/private security. That's the way it was explained to me by my friend the CO anyway.

I believe the law is pretty vauge and any old piece of wood you're carrying could be considered an illegal weapon if the police decide you have intent to commit a crime. If anybody has more specific info I'd love to hear it...



Cheers
c

[Rudy W. Timmerman]

Hi Rudy;

Are you sure about throwing knives, kama's and expandable batons?
I see them on sale on downtown TO all the time...( I know that doesn't necesairly mean they're being sold legally)

I also know that knives that open by a spring mechanism or by centrifical force or illegal but you can buy the knives that are propelled open by a torsion bar.

Cheers
Chris

Hello Chris:
One of my students, a LEO officer, looked into that for me, as we like to use the throwing knife as part of our original curriculum. He advised me they are. The kama I spoke of are the ones with the chain/rope on it, and that apparently makes them illegal too.

[SteyrAUG]

GAH! No throwing knives?! *quickly hides her...umm..."nicely blanced steak knives"* Throwing knives? What throwing knives? I'm still in shock. Isn't there some legal loophole or something where you can register them or something? Does anyone find this ridiculous? We can own guns but not nunchaku?! How flawed is that... *grumbles*

Always & Forever,
Æ

Don't be so sure on guns either. Heavily restricted and controlled.

Honestly I don't see how you guys survive under quasi commie laws that say you cannot own two wooden sticks connected by a cord for RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.


If it were me a little bit of civil disobedience would be in order.

Seriously, get 2 sticks approx the same weight 12" - 14" and securely connect them with a chain or cord in your garage. If I could do it at 14 you can probably do a much more professional job now.

Obviously DO NOT carry them on your person or travel with them in your car. Use them in the privacy of your own home (or in the yard late at night if the local political commissars next door won't turn you in).

If you are very concerned go with a traditional cord connection (nylon cord works well) and simply unstring them when not in use. Hopefully one cannot be charged with possession of nunchaku "components."

Then if after a clandestine nunchaku practice session in your darkened basement your realize you actually would enjoy personal freedom and the choice to own two wooden sticks and some cord go toss their damn tea in the harbor already or get the hell out of that socialist hell hole. Just don't go to Cali, NY or Mass., they think they are in Canada or something.

[Sochin]

Guys,

unless there is a local law prohibiting them, the kama, expandable baton and throwing knives are not illegal

Cops are notorious for getting these details wrong.

What the Criminal Code does prohibit is chains with a blade or weight on one end (these are not kama), a throwing device with three or more sharp points, and a spring loaded baton that releases by means of a switch or button.

So far, the knives that can be opened one handed have not been declared to be under the centrifigal force prohibition by a judge and the cop who said that spydercos violated that prohibition and shut down their sales in HOV, overstepped his authority way to far and did us all a disservice.

As to the legality of carrying a baton, just remember that there is little it can be used for except as a weapon so it will probably be classed as a weapon at all times meaning that tho it is legal to carry, it must be carried unconcealed and you must not beg, accost or impede anyone nor go to a public meeting while carrying it....

My book, Canadian Law and Self Defence is still the only public study of this issue in Canada, and I have just put out my fifth revision.

[Rudy W. Timmerman]

Guys,...
What the Criminal Code does prohibit is chains with a blade or weight on one end (these are not kama), a throwing device with three or more sharp points, and a spring loaded baton that releases by means of a switch or button.

Gusari Kama IS a chain with a blade on the end, and the spring loaded baton is what I talked about. As far am concerned, a trowing device with any point on it will be a problem I would rather not test in court.

[Sochin]

A lug nut off an 18 wheeler is a better throwing weapon anyway!

Or a 1 1/2 in. ball bearing...