Lawmakers favoring gun control are continually talking about Australia’s gun control and how the United States needs to follow Australia’s lead. While laws attempting to abridge the Second Amendment are bad enough, Australia’s laws go far beyond simply banning guns. Australian laws bans fake or replica guns, crossbows, and several types of knives such as trench knives. You know, like the ones used in WWI, because those are common among street muggers and gang members these days…
By Dean Weingarten
In Australia, I became aware of an administrative procedure where the state police can find a person unfit to possess either firearms, firearms parts, or prohibited weapons. What exactly were prohibited weapons under Australian law? This website lists prohibited weapons.
The list is extensive and, from an American perspective, bizarre. Some of the weapons are antiquated, others are modern, and some may be simple mistakes or misunderstandings. I have studied weapons law of many American states. It appears that someone in Australia (probably the George Soros funded group that was headed by Rebecca Peters) looked up all the prohibited weapons they could find in law, anywhere, and lumped them all together on the prohibited list. I have edited the list to take out duplication.
Here is the list of prohibited weapons. My comments are in blue for clarity. From australianpolice.com:
Miscellaneous Weapons
*Missile Launchers
any device that is designed to propel or launch a bomb, grenade, rocket or missile by any means other than an explosive.
No air propelled rockets or water balloon launchers. No potato launchers. No hobby rockets or model rockets. It appears that a simple sling is prohibited. No biblical-era missile launchers allowed. If the term “missile” below excludes simple rocks or solid objects, the above may be allowed. I hope that is the interpretation the police would use. Bows seem to be commonly available and unregulated except for crossbows.
Bomb, Grenade, Rocket, Missile, or Mine
or any similar device which expels or contains an explosive, incendiary, irritant or gas.
Flamethrower
that is of military design or any other device that is capable of projecting ignited incendiary fuel.
Crossbow
or any similar device consisting of a bow fitted transversely on a stock that has a groove or barrel designed to direct an arrow or bolt.
Slingshot
a device consisting of an elasticised band secured to the forks of a Y shaped frame other than a homemade slingshot for use by a child in the course of play.
Crossbows prohibited? Not just forbidden to use in urban areas, as in many American cities. Outright prohibited. Slingshots prohibited? I suspect this came from the American 19th century prohibition on slung shot, which is a totally different weapon, favored by 19th century criminals. To be fair, some Australian states prohibit commercial slingshots, but allow homemade ones for use “by children”. Very weird.
Mace
or any other similar article that consists of a club or staff fitted with a flanged or spiked head, other than a ceremonial mace made for and used solely as a symbol of authority on ceremonial occasions.
So, a club or staff without a flanged or spiked head is not prohibited? Perhaps they did not want to outlaw sticks, baseball bats, or cricket bats.
Flail
or any other similar article that consists of a staff or handle that has fitted to one end, by any means, a freely swinging striking part that is armed with spikes or studded with any protruding matter.
Whip
that has a lash which is comprised wholly or partly of any form of metal.
Cat-o’-nine Tails
or any other whip that consists of a handle to which there is attached any number of knotted lashes.
Kung fu sticks or ‘nunchaku’
or any other article consisting of two or more sticks or bars made of any material that are joined together by any means that allows the sticks or bars to swing independently of each other.
The actual slingshot does not seem to fit any of these descriptions. Perhaps it is not prohibited.
Side-handled baton
or any other article consisting of a baton, staff or rod that is made of any hard substance and has fitted to one side a handle, whether or not that handle is permanently fixed.
Knuckle-dusters
or any other similar article that is made of any hard substance and that can be fitted over the knuckles of the hand of the user to protect.
Taser Self-Defence Weapon
Any handheld device that is designed to administer an electric shock on contact, such as the Taser Self-Defence Weapon or an electrified brief-case, but do not include any such hand-held device that may lawfully be used on an animal in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.
*Extendable or Telescopic Baton
or any article consisting of a baton, staff or rod that is made of any hard substance and has fitted to one side a handle, whether or not that handle is permanently fixed.
I will ask people at the Shot Show in Brisbane about this. Walking sticks or canes are not prohibited. Why the obsession with side handles? Probably from all the publicity given to PR-24 batons.
*Devices Designed to Stun or Disorient People by Emitting Noise and Light
(known as sound & flash grenades)
any acoustic or light emitting anti-personal device that is designed to cause permanent or temporary incapacity or to otherwise disorientate persons.
Are camera flashes included? I hope not. It is interesting that the emphasis seems to be on anything that may be used as a weapon, but which logically extends to nearly everything. Personal noise alarms are right out.
Miscellaneous Articles
Body Armour Vests
or other similar articles designed for anti-ballistic purposes and to be worn on any part of the body (other than helmets or anti-ballistic articles used for eye or hearing protection).
Handcuffs
(other than antique handcuffs, or children’s toy handcuffs that are of an approved type).
Silencers
or any other device designed for attachment to a firearm for the purpose of muffling, reducing or stopping the noise created by firing the firearm.
Flex ties are not regulated, nor are rope, chains, or locks, as far as I can determine.
Replicas, Imitations, Concealed Blades
Walking Stick or Cane
that contains a sword or any other single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or of any material.
Riding Crop
that contains a knife, stiletto or any other single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or material.
Bowen Knife Belt
or any other similar article consisting of a belt or buckle that conceals or disguises within the article a knife or a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or of any material.
Concealed Knives
Any article or device that:
a) due to its appearance is capable of being mistaken for something else that is not a weapon, and
b) disguises and conceals within it a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike of any length or of any material.
So concealed or disguised knives are not allowed. There are similar regulations in many states.
Replica or Imitation Firearms
an imitation of any firearm which requires a licence or permit under the Firearms Act, unless approved by the Commissioner of Police. Imitation or replica of a bomb, grenade, rocket, missile or mine:
unless approved by the Commissioner of Police.
At least one person has been prosecuted for having a replica gun. I do not see this sort of statute in many places. Even England allows replica and non-firing guns. A model of a bomb or pistol is illegal unless allowed by the Commissioner of Police. The inverse of the idea of English and American law, where everything is allowed, except what is prohibited. Here, everything is prohibited, except what is allowed. All the prohibited weapons are allowed if you can wrangle a permission slip from the police.
Knives
Flick knife (or other similar device)
a blade which opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by any pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle of the knife.
*Ballistic knife
a knife that propels a knife-like blade of any material by any means other than an explosive.
Sheath knife
a knife which has a sheath which withdraws into its handle by gravity or centrifugal force or if pressure is applied to a button, spring or device attached to or forming part of the sheath, handle or blade of the knife.
Urban Skinner Push Dagger
or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that has a handle fitted transversely to the blade or spike and allows the blade or spike to be supported by the palm of the hand so that stabbing blows or slashes can be inflicted by a punching or pushing action.
Trench Knife
or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that is fitted with a handle made of any hard substance that can be fitted over the knuckles of the hand of the user to protect the knuckles and increase the effect of a punch or blow, or that is adapted for such use.
Butterfly Knife or ‘Balisong’
or any other device that consists of a single-edged or multi-edged blade or spike that fits within two handles attached to the blade or spike by transverse pivot pins and is capable of being opened by gravity or centrifugal force.
Star Knife
or any other device that consists of a number of angular points, blades or spikes disposed outwardly about a central axis point and that are designed to spin around the central axis point in flight when thrown at a target.
What did they miss? No prohibition on blow guns? Who knows, they may be covered elsewhere. Sap gloves do not appear to fit any of the definitions. However, Australia has a very mild climate. I expect that gloves would tend to stand out. Most knives, axes, machetes, swords, and walking sticks are not prohibited in Australia, though swords owners are required to have a license in Victoria. The classic atlatl or woomera spear throwing stick is not mentioned.
A person can walk around with a machete in hand, a knife on their belt or a sword in a sheath if they can give a police officer a reasonable reason for having the article. Self defense is not considered a reasonable reason.
Prohibited weapons vary somewhat by Australian state. A form of sling shot that does not use a Y fork is acceptable in New South Wales. It is the Pocket Shot. Some states appear to have only limited restrictions on sling shots, such as forbidding a wrist brace.
These sort of overbroad laws are often ignored. The discretion of the police officer or officers becomes extremely important. The rule of law becomes the rule of man. Fortunately, Australian police have been very polite and reasonable people, at least those that I had interaction with.
It seems that Alexis de Tocqueville’s prediction in “Democracy in America” from 1835 is fulfilled in Australia:
After having thus successively taken each member of the community in its powerful grasp and fashioned him at will, the government then extends its arm over the whole community. It covers the surface of society with a network of small, complicated rules, minute and uniform, through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate, to rise above the crowd. The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided; men are seldom forced by it to act, but they are constantly restrained from acting. Such a power does not destroy, but it prevents existence: it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd.
It seems strange for a nation of such vast frontiers, such tremendous resources, to be so bound up in small laws and restrictions. It is happening all over Western civilization. Try buying an incandescent bulb in the United States, or to design and build your own house.
Strange how things have changed. When I was a kid men dreamed of going to Australia where men were still men and the government did not tell people how to live. That is what we thought in the 1950s.
No. The Constitution only states in black and white (aka print) the rights we already have and guarantees that the government will respect those rights. Even without the Constitution we have those same rights but they are far harder to uphold if they are not written down.
Sadly, even with 2A, the US is still following g in the footsteps of Australia due to the people being dumbed down, our history buried, and people being led to believe that there are higher things than having individual rights. The left is winning thanks to the progressive agenda.
It’s like how US businesses plan for 5to10 years ahead, while China and others (like the progressives) plan for where they want to be 50 to 100 years ahead.
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION DOES GIVE US RIGHTS ,AND ARE NOT TO BE INFRINGED UPON
Actually, our constitution doesn’t give us rights. It only states inalienable rights that are endowed to us by our creator. Our founding fathers believed we are born with these rights. They are not granted by any government or king and therefore cannot be revoked or infringed upon by such. I understand your point and don’t mean to nit pick but this seems to me to be a pretty big nit. God bless America and those of us that remember why this experiment began in 1776.
Maybe the people of Australia should man up . They should start by voting in more intelligent repersenitives , and by not allowing themselves and countrymen to be victums. Out with the people who are stealing their freedoms and what should be their God given right to defend their selves and familys.
my state of confusion, once called Oregon, now more like northern California, has a bi sex governor who just signed a bill that if someone is “uncomfortable” with you, or feels threatened , they can get your weapons confiscated, without due process.
Having been to Australia (when dating an Aussie LEO – I’m one here in the good ole USA myself), I found it a nice and generous country, full of great people and beautiful expanses. But my friend in her visits here was dumbfounded that I carried off-duty without even a second thought – needed no permission, no memo to supervisors, no nothing. I was equally dumbfounded there to go out with her and her work mates and not a one carried, not even a knife.
Once upon a time in the past that may have some kind of sense maybe; and again in the distant future once we’ve ‘evolved’ (thank God I’ll have passed on before then!). But now, with our very Western values and lifestyle under attack (not to mention the attack on notions of personal responsibility, duty, honor, integrity, etc., you know, CORE VALUES, I can only sadly thing of my Aussie friends as allies as ‘sheeple.’ And what Darwin doesn’t render upon sheeple, ISIS surely will. RIP and g’day mates!
We have the 2nd Amendment. No one else has it. Czech Republic is defying the EU by putting in a 2A like addition to their constitution. Good for them. The rest of the world seems to have turned in their natural rights in favor of their government’s promise of safety and security. Despite not having enough LEOs to protect each and every subject, Australians still believe the government can protect each of them. Government knows best, eh, Aussies?
Interesting and apparently not proof read. Many places you make comments about sling shots and yet show that they in fact are regulated to a very great degree. You make a comment about them in regards to bombs where-in-fact you show that the rock is not listed and clearly not interpreted to be a bomb – why? You seem to have an unhealthy thing with sling shots. Also, under the kung-fu sticks area you again say the “simple sling shot…” WOW!! Now on to other errors noted: Although I believe you were joking with the bucket thing, you seem to have missed that ballistic helmets and hearing protection are allowed for work items. It is very sad that Australia has such intense limitations and restrictions and even worse that their law enforcement gets to decide whether pretty much anything is or isn’t a violation and worse than all that, and thank you for the mentions of this in your article, is that many of the elite of America, our America, want to use these very same laws, rules, etc. here. The last part, Tocqueville’s prediction, is by far my favorite part as I have been watching this develop in so many ways throughout America over the last 40 years that I am sick. Want proof positive everyone? Check education here in America and see how far down we have come in basic “requirements” for our children in primary education and you will see that prediction being built by our very votes.
Dean misses the obvious. The politicians in both Australia and the U.K. exclude “lawful self defense” as a reason for having a weapon for one reason. It would imply the almighty state cannot effectively prevent all crime and punish all criminals and, well, we just can’t have that, can we?
ALL NFA LAWS INCLUDING THE HUGHES AMENDMENT SHOULD BE REPEALED BECAUSE THEY DO NOTHING TO STOP CRIME AND ANY WEAPONS THAT’S BEEN BANNED BECAUSE OF FEATURES OR ANY OTHER REASON
well, my rear end fits some of the descriptions noted here. its also concealed carry. the real a-soles are the auzy people for allowing this. butt they do have the uk mentality. they will be over run with outsiders and idiots and no longer part of the real world soon, just like the mother land.
Sadly, passing a law only restricts the law-abiding citizen. If America is to regress into the day of the wild west, then so be it. I happen to have millions of dollars invested in honing my ability with all manner and type of weapons, including persona and crew-served weapons. I observe all this angst and agonizing with dispassion, except for some natural compassion for the fears of the unequipped.
When Australia gets over 300,000,000 people and a Bill of Rights for its constitution, we’ll talk. Just because they speak English does not make them in any way similar to the United States.
Once ruled by the British, Australia was founded by penal colonies. As an emerging nation, the British would ship their convicts over to Australia and forced them to build what we know today as Australia.
So when you consider Australia is descended from nothing more than one big prison of convicts, just as any U.S. prison prohibits weapons – it only makes sense every imaginable weapon would also be prohibited in an entire prison-country like Australia.
[Disclaimer: The previous comment was intended as satire based on certain truths.]
Did I miss any mention of the aboriginal “Boomerang”?
It’s all about Control , not about weapons ! Our founding Fathers lived through this abuse from the English.
That’s why country has the US constitution, to give us rights to protect ourselves against a government such as the AUSTRALIA’S B.S OPRESSION OF ITS CITIZENS !!
The US Constitution does not “give” us any rights. It merely acknowledges God given rights and the inability of government to deny citizens of such.
One of the most ridiculous here is the suppressor. It can’t harm anyone since it’s just a metal tube, too small to even be used as a club. That it requires special authority and a fee is beyond me. Why the NRA is trying to make purchasing one like purchasing a firearm is ridiculous as well. You should be able to buy or make a sound suppressor like you would ear plugs.
There are countries that would not hesitate to breech our borders and try to take over the USA if we had laws like that. And I put China at the top of that list. I believe that the only reason the USA still owns USA is that it’s citizens have firearms. Period. And actually I think the lawmakers know this.
The list should have included baseball bats. Over the years plenty of injuries and dealths have come from a bat. Oh, also cricket bats or whatever they call them.
I used to consider Australian alot like us Americans, but not anymore. Their basic intelligence seems to be lacking.
Here in Illinois an air rifle is considered a firearm. It’s illegal or was illegal to have a .22 caliber air rifle to be shipped to Illinois. I tried to have Airguns of Arizona ship me one about 10-12 years ago & they wouldn’t do it.
Armed rebellion should be in order.
Applying for a weapons permit in NSW is ridiculous. The reason “for personal defense” is not acceptable.
his Aussie departed Commirfornia (thank goodness) back to America where freedom reigns.
Glad they’re half a world away
However, George Soros—formerly known as Schwartz György; a Schutzstaffel Vernichtungslager Sonderkommando during WW-II—has been plotting, planning and funding disarming “the great unwashed” of the world for quite come time now.
Some excellent reasons to avoid Australia and other like-minded areas, even in the US of A. And, I was so disappointed that Australia won’t let me bring my mace and flail with me if I came to visit. So we have another nation that has given in the political correctness.
I feel for the Australias and the crazy laws.
So now the police & the bad guys have it but everyone else have just been turned into sheep.
Same in the UK.
If you live in the UK and someone breaks into your home then you must run out the back door if you have one.
Hit him with a bat and you’re going to jail even more so if you are on the street and someone tries to rob you.
Hurt the robber you go to jail.
If the UN has its way then that’s how it’s going to be everywhere!
Auggie Will,
That’s how it will be everywhere, unless PATRIOTS stand up and defend ourselves from tyranny. Tyranny only happens when people bow to the tyrants.
The ultimate goal of liberal and progressive socialism if the disarming of the people in order to transform them from citizens to defenseless serfs of the state.
I officially have a headache. How could a people like Australians allow such things to come to pass? I expect this crap from Europe, But Australia? Makes me sad and angry.
You think that is bad, just imagine what you are in for if you are caught with a common police radar detector in your car in Australia!
They already have here in California. I could swear they got their list from Jerry Brown and his gang.
It has been many years since I visited Australia and shared some grub with some blokes in Vietnam, but it seems that the people have become quite weak and whipped.