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is it legal to possess edged weapons in india (like swords)

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 4:36 pm
by Bright
i am dead passionate about swords and other edged weapons. i would like to know if it is legal to possess them! kindly do share your knowledge regarding this.

i am quite interested in swords and cane swords! do we need license to possess them? and are cane swords of very good quality available in india? preferably in bangalore?

Re: is it legal to possess edged weapons in india (like swords)

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:47 pm
by eternalme
Greetings,

I would say there is some gray area around this subject.
Owing an edged weapon with the blade length more than 3 inches and the complete blade and handle length more than 6 inches might require a permission.
Though during various religious processions in India I have seen people flaunting all type of edged weapons and lets not talk about the length of their blade in inches, it should be better talked in feet.And this all happens with police cordoning.

Indian arms Act only relaxes owing cane laathi as freely allowed self defense possession , other than that you have to have permission from the nearest police station (edged weapons) or get an arms license for it ( high power Air guns, guns which use gases and explosives for expulsion of projectile).

Now you know the law as is and the law as its practiced, so go ahead take your pick.

By the way, I have a kitchen knife whose blade is longer than 6 inches, but i don't know what I would do with less than that long blade, now I can't think about the law while chopping veggies.
Maybe the law maker baboo didn't have more than "charra aalloo" (small berry size potatoes) to peel ROTFL .

Regards

Re: is it legal to possess edged weapons in india (like swords)

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:39 pm
by penpusher
Check Schedule I of the Arms Rules,1962.

"Category V-Arms other than fire-arms: Sharp-edged and deadly weapons, namely: swords (including sword-stick), daggers, bayonets, spears (including lances and javelins); battle-axes, knives (including kirpans and Khukries and other such weapons with blades longer than 9" or wider than 2" other than those designed for domestic, agricultural, scientific or industrial purpose, steel baton; "Zipo" and other such weapons called "life preserves"; machinery for making arms other than category II; and any other arms which the Central Government may notify under Sec. 4."

The licensing authority is the DM.The blade length has to be longer than 9 inches and/or wider than 2".This would exclude the handle.

Re: is it legal to possess edged weapons in india (like swords)

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 6:07 pm
by eternalme
Thanks PenuPusher,
I used to think that the length was 3 inches.

Regards