Offensive Weapons and Bladed Articles

Question 1

What is an offence under the Offensive Weapons of Prevention of Crime Act

Answer 1

Any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, the proof whereof shall lie with him, has with him in any public place any offensive weapon

Question 2

What is an offensive weapon?

Answer 2

Any article that is made or adapted for causing injury, or intended by that person for such use by him or another person.

Question 3

What are the restrictions of offensive weapons?

Answer 3

You cannot be connected with the manufacture, selling, hiring or importation of dangerous weapons

Question 4

What is the Bladed or Sharply Pointed Article offence?

Answer 4

Anyone who has with them any article which has a blade or is sharply pointed in a public place without good reason or lawful authority

Question 5

What are the defences for possessing a bladed article/sharply pointed article?

Answer 5

1. Good reason
2. Lawful authority
3. For use at work
4. Religious reasons
5. Part of any national costume

Question 6

When are you allowed a blade?

Answer 6

1. If it is a single blade
2. If it is less than 3 inches long
3. If it only has one sharp edge
4. If it is not a lock knife

Question 7

On a school premises

Answer 7

It is an offence to have an offensive weapon/bladed article on a school premise

Question 8

Who has the power to search and seize offensive weapons on a school premises

Answer 8

1. Police
2. Headteacher
3. Any person designated by Headteacher to do so

Question 9

Banned weapons 2024

Answer 9

Illegal to own zombie knives and most machetes

Question 10

What is a zombie knife?

Answer 10

A knife with a serrated cutting edge, with more than 1 hole in the blade or spikes or more than two sharp points and images/words that suggest it is to be used for the purpose of violence

Question 11

Firearms Act 1968

Answer 11

It is illegal to own a lethal barrelled weapon, a prohibited weapon, a relevant part or an accessory to a lethal barrelled/prohibited weapon

Question 12

Air weapons rules

Answer 12

1. Must be 18+ to buy/use air weapon
2. Must be supervised by someone 21+
3. Must be on private land & consent from occupier if the are 14 or over

Question 13

Air weapon offences

Answer 13

1. To have an air weapon in a public place without reasonable excuse
2. To have an air weapon if you are prohibited from owning a firearm

Question 14

Crossbows Act - Possession

Answer 14

It is an offence for a person U18 to have with him a crossbow capable of discharging a missile, parts of a crossbow that can be assembled to discharge a missile

Question 15

Crossbow Act - Further Offences

Answer 15

1. The sale/let/hire of a crossbow/parts to U18
2. Purchase/hire of crossbow/parts by U18