An Act to make provision to control the carrying of offensive weapons in public places.
[Commencement: 15th November, 1984]
Short title
1.
This Act may be cited as the Control of Offensive Weapons Act.
Definitions
2.
In this Act
“offensive weapon†includes flick knives, rachet knives, switch blades and any article made or adapted for use to cause injury to a person, or intended by the person having possession or control thereof for such use;
“public place†includes any highway, street, lane, alley, beach and any other premises or place to which, at the material time, the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment of a fee or otherwise.
Prohibition of the carrying of offensive weapons
3.(1)
Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, the proof of which lies on him, has in his possession or under his control in a public place any offensive weapon is guilty of an offence and liable
(a)
on summary conviction, to imprisonment for 6 months or a fine of $1 000; or
(b)
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for 2 years or a fine of $2 500.
(2)
Where a person is convicted of an offence under this section, the court may make an order for the forfeiture or disposal of any offensive weapon to which the conviction relates.
Prohibition of the sale of offensive weapons
4.(1)
Any person who without lawful authority, proof of which lies on him, sells or offers for sale in a public place any offensive weapon is guilty of an offence and liable
(a)
on summary conviction to imprisonment for 6 months or a fine of $1 000; or
(b)
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for 2 years or a fine of $2 500.
(2)
Section 3(2) applies in respect of convictions under this section.
Arrest without warrant
5.
A police officer may, without warrant, arrest any person whom he has reasonable cause to believe is committing an offence under
section 3(1), if the police officer is not satisfied as to that person’s identity or place of residence, or has reasonable cause to believe that it is necessary to arrest him in order to prevent the commission of an offence in the course of which an offensive weapon might be used.
