Can a knife that can be opened with one hand but is not a 'spring assisted' knife be legally owned in Queensland. These knives can be readily and legally bought at fishing and hunting shops in Queensland. Do they come under a category m weapon once purchased and can therefore be confiscated and the owner charged with possession of an illegal weapon (category m) while it is in their home or in their car (as a public place)?
QLD Knife classified as category 'm' weapon
- Thread starter Melissa Plath
- Start date
Category M weapons include:
- A knife that can be held in one hand, and the blade may be released by that hand.
- A knife where the blade fits within two handles and is capable of being opened by gravity or centrifugal force (eg butterfly knife, balisong).
I believe these changes came in in 2012.
Unlawfully possessing a category M weapon is an offence carrying a fine of up to $12,190 or up to 2 years imprisonment.
Have a look at this document: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/weaponsLicensing/fees/Documents/Category-M-Bladed-Weapons.pdf
Note the comments about a stanley knife (for example) on page 2, that it is clearly intended as a utility knife and not a weapon. The distinguishing factor is that knives designed as 'weapons' are illegal, utility knives are not. Of course, you're relying on a police officer to make that distinction at first instance.
Possessing a knife in public without a lawful excuse is an offence in Queensland in any case.
Odds are that if you have such a knife in your home, it is only likely to become an issue if the police are executing a warrant and they turn up in what they find. However, I wouldn't rely on that assumption.
- A knife that can be held in one hand, and the blade may be released by that hand.
- A knife where the blade fits within two handles and is capable of being opened by gravity or centrifugal force (eg butterfly knife, balisong).
I believe these changes came in in 2012.
Unlawfully possessing a category M weapon is an offence carrying a fine of up to $12,190 or up to 2 years imprisonment.
Have a look at this document: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/weaponsLicensing/fees/Documents/Category-M-Bladed-Weapons.pdf
Note the comments about a stanley knife (for example) on page 2, that it is clearly intended as a utility knife and not a weapon. The distinguishing factor is that knives designed as 'weapons' are illegal, utility knives are not. Of course, you're relying on a police officer to make that distinction at first instance.
Possessing a knife in public without a lawful excuse is an offence in Queensland in any case.
Odds are that if you have such a knife in your home, it is only likely to become an issue if the police are executing a warrant and they turn up in what they find. However, I wouldn't rely on that assumption.
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