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In
Australia:
Use of firearms and
other weapons are legislated separately by individual states rather than by
national law. Definitions used across states vary significantly.
Aikido training weapons,
being the sword or bokken or aiki ken, the staff
or aiki jo, and the knife or tanken or tanto, are
wooden weapons only, regularly used in Aikido training. The information
below demonstrates the legal use of these Aikido training weapons and our
obligations.
In
Victoria:
The Control of Weapons Act
1990 and the Control of Weapons Regulations 2011 distinguish between
prohibited weapons, controlled weapons and dangerous articles. Aikido
training weapons do not fit the definitions specifying prohibited weapons
nor controlled weapons in Victoria. However, the definition of dangerous
articles includes any article carried with the intention of being used as a
weapon, which could include Aikido training weapons.
Dangerous articles may
only be carried in a public place with legitimate reason, otherwise known
as lawful excuse, which can include Aikido training. Aikido students must
therefore intend only to use their Aikido training weapons for training
purposes and not otherwise carry them in public.
In South
Australia:
The Summary Offences Act
1953 and associated Weapons Regulations 2012 distinguish between prohibited
weapons, dangerous articles and offensive weapons. Aikido training weapons
do not fit the definitions specifying prohibited weapons nor dangerous
articles in South Australia. However, the definition of offensive weapons
includes but is not limited to guns, knives, swords and other lethal
instruments, which would include Aikido training weapons.
Offensive weapons may
only be carried with legitimate reason, otherwise known as lawful excuse,
and should not be visible in a public place. Aikido students must therefore
intend only to use their Aikido training weapons for training purposes, and
keep them inside an appropriate bag at all other times.
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