Are kendo sticks considered a weapon??if not, is there any proof that it isnt a weapon(websites, etc)?

Question

im doing a little research. im trying to find if a kendo stick violates AETCI 36-2216. if your a lawyer, i would especially enjoy your perspective. thanks

Answer 1

it does indeed depend on the context. however you wouldnt want to walk down the street with one and you could use it bash a few heads in. but im not really sure.

Answer 2

I doubt it, they are for practice purposes only as far as I know.

I'm not a martial art student or teacher and all I have under my belt in terms of martial arts are a few weeks or months of Judo which I gave up because of lack of interest (I was young) but I can confidently bet on it that they aren't illegal or in violation of any law.

Anyway, they aren't a good choice of weapon to kill or severely injure someone with, that is what swords, knifes, daggers, axes and whatever else you can think of are for.

I would not think them to be illegal.

EDIT

Just for the record I have no idea what AETCI 36-2216 is. I would imagine that it is something to do with the Samurai sword ban in the UK, forgive me if I am wrong in thinking this.

Answer 3

In terms of legality, importing them from the US to Australia I have had issues with customs in regards to their classification as weapons or sporting goods.

If you can demonstrate that you are part of a club/dojo and that you practice the martial art, instead of being some punk that is carrying around a shinai/bokken to beat up people on the street, then you have firm solid ground to be standing on, and there shouldn't be any violations of law in that respect.  I would seek some help/advice especially from retailers of kendo equipment since they have to be clued in on selling/importing/exporting them under sporting or weapon categories.

Answer 4

Don't carry them with you.  That's just asking for trouble.  When I picture practical application I imagine a knife getting pulled in a pool hall and me ripping the legs off a chair or breaking a broom stick in half.

As litigation becomes increasingly more expensive, courts are becoming more practical and look more to motive as do enforcing officers.  Instead of basing your decision around statutory code, think about how practical carrying those sticks really are.

Answer 5

that depends on the context.

I don't know whether you are talking about a bokken (massive wood) or a shinai (split bamboo)

but both can be used as a weapon, thus they can be interpreted as a weapon depending the context.  after all even an innocent stick can be used as a weapon and a massive piece of oak can easily break bones or crack some ones skull. so understandable that people consider it a weapon.

I carry my  martial arts weapons in the trunk of my car at all times, but am intelligent enough to keep my training gear along with them.  I've been stopped by the long arm of the law a few times and always got away with "going to practice" but if you carry the thing around in plain sight I can understand that they can view it as a weapon.