Part VI MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL

Offensive weapons

47 Prohibition of the carrying of offensive weapons.

1

Any person who F1. . . has with him in any public place any offensive weapon shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable—

a

on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both;

b

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding F45 years or a fine, or both.

F21A

It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to show that the person had a reasonable excuse or lawful authority for having the weapon with the person in the public place.

2

Where any person is convicted of an offence under subsection (1) above the court may make an order for the forfeiture or disposal of any weapon in respect of which the offence was committed.

F53

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F34

In this section—

  • “offensive weapon” means any article—

    1. a

      made or adapted for use for causing injury to a person, or

    2. b

      intended, by the person having the article, for use for causing injury to a person by—

      1. i

        the person having it, or

      2. ii

        some other person,

  • “public place” means any place other than—

    1. a

      domestic premises,

    2. b

      school premises (within the meaning of section 49A(6)),

    3. c

      a prison (within the meaning of section 49C(7)),

  • “domestic premises” means premises occupied as a private dwelling (including any stair, passage, garden, yard, garage, outhouse or other appurtenance of such premises which is not used in common by the occupants of more than one such dwelling).