i am considering getting a knife (butterfly knife, aka balisong) to carry on me (mainly for utility purposes, but nothing specific), and i am wondering if it is legal. i have heard of people getting busted for carrying one, but that has always been in addition to other charges. im under the impression that it is 'legal' as long as you can come up with a good excuse, but does anyone know better? (keep in mind i am in australia)

����I'm fairly certain butterflies are illegal in Austrialia, but I'm not completely sure. When in doubt, call up your local police station and ask. If you're using the thing for legitimate purposes there's nothing to be afraid of in that.

~Zero

It is my understanding that any weapon that can be used in a self defensive manner is illegal in austrialia?

Well, not quite, poop. You are allowed to carry a sign that says "Please Don't Kill Me!" provided you have the proper license and registration.

����If you hit someone with it, though, it's probably instant jail time.
����Regular knives are not outlawed (yet), but butterflies and switchblades are usually the first to go.

~Zero

its catch-22 even if balisongs are legal, if you are caught w/ one then the officer can say its a concealed weapon which in most places is illegal

From what I know, it's utterly illegal in Australia to even own a bali.


Edit- Checked, and yes, balisongs *are* banned in Australia. Which means that you can't import them either, which means you're screwed if you want to buy one. Unless you have a good friend or a dealer that's willing to send it to you in an unmarked package, etc.

Try knifezilla.com. Most dealers won't even think about sending balisongs to Australia, but...

Also, carrying any knife, concealed or unconcealed is illegal.

Most anything that is a weapon in shape or design is illegal in Australia.


peace out.
sph3ric pyramid.



[This message has been edited by sph3ric pyramid (edited 12-10-2002).]

Your bst bet for a weapon in australia is one of those venomus snakes you have crawling around. I only get that idea because on a reacent real t.v. an australian rob a convience store with one.

CTR

balisongs are apparantly very good utility knives. strong design, the lock can never break and let the blade fold on your hand

anyway.

im pretty sure they are illegal around australia. victoria/NSW for sure. and in victoria, its illegal for anyone to carry a knife, though im sure the cops will be a little more lenient to a guy dressed in overalls, compared to a dodgy looking asian fellow etc.

if you need the knife, ie, you feel like it will help you survive, then i guess its worth carrying. but i no longer carry a knife cos i dont really consider my life is under threat, nor do i really have a huge need for a knife utility wise. the only reason id carry is cos i like it. plus it is useful.

quote:

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Originally posted by Genital-Warfare:
Your bst bet for a weapon in australia is one of those venomus snakes you have crawling around. I only get that idea because on a reacent real t.v. an australian rob a convience store with one.

CTR

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yeah... then if anyone hears the hissing pvc you're holding you get arested for scaring ppl. that and the bomb squad guy you killed when they talk the thing appart, i'd love to see that "this aint no fucking bomb... AH! BLACK MOMBA!!!" *hissss* ~bite~ *gasp* *thump*

hehehe

����A good butterfly works well as a utility knife. Cheap ones, though, often do not. This is not because of their lack of durability in design but only for their horrible blades.
����I have since come to the conculsion that Australia sucks. You think, with a state that's got as much untamed and/or venomous wilderness as Australia, they'd let you carry a knife. Granted you rarely have to fight off crocodiles in downdown Sydney, but as a general rule at least a knife of moderate size is a useful thing to have.

~Zero