{"id":"sl-1997-12","name":"Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997","slug":"prohibited-weapons-regulation-1997","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"12 of 1997","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173588,"registerId":"act-sl-1997-12-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nSL1997-12\nmade under the\nProhibited Weapons Act 1996\nRepublication No 14\nEffective: 26 December 2025\nRepublication date: 26 December 2025\nLast amendment made by A2025-29\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997, made under the Prohibited\nWeapons Act 1996 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3\n(Editorial changes)) as in force on 26 December 2025. It also includes any commencement,\namendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 26 December 2025.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR14\n26/12/25\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nmade under the\nProhibited Weapons Act 1996\nContents\nPage\n1 Name of regulation 2\n3 Definitions for regulation 2\n5 General grounds for refusal to issue permits 2\n6 Condition on permits—storage and security 4\n7 Possession and use of crossbows 4\n8 Possession and use of darts 6\n9 Possession and use of catapults 6\n10 Possession and use of batons 7\n11 Possession and use of nunchaku, nunchaku baton or similar article 8\n12 Possession and use of body armour 10\n12A Possession and use of suppressors 11\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR14\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n13 Militaria permit 13\n14 Permits for theatrical and other productions 14\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 15\n2 Abbreviation key 15\n3 Legislation history 16\n4 Amendment history 19\n5 Earlier republications 20\n\nR14\n26/12/25\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nmade under the\nProhibited Weapons Act 1996\n\nSection 1\npage 2 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR14\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n1 Name of regulation\nThis regulation is the Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997.\n3 Definitions for regulation\nIn this regulation:\nNote A definition applies except so far as the contrary intention appears\n(see Legislation Act, s 155).\nregistrar means the registrar of firearms.\nsecurity organisation means a corporation within the meaning of the\nCorporations Act, or a partnership, that carries on a business of\nproviding—\n(a) protection for people; or\n(b) transport or protection for the money or property of persons\nother than the corporation or partnership;\nbut does not include a bank.\n5 General grounds for refusal to issue permits\n(1) The registrar must not issue a permit unless satisfied that the applicant\nis a fit and proper person to have possession of a prohibited weapon\nor prohibited article without danger to public safety or to the peace.\n(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the registrar must not issue a permit\nif the registrar has reasonable cause to believe that the applicant may\nnot personally exercise continuous and responsible control over a\nprohibited weapon or prohibited article because of the applicant’s\nway of living or domestic circumstances.\n(3) The registrar must not issue a permit to someone if—\n(a) the person has been convicted within the relevant period in the\nACT, or elsewhere, of a prescribed offence, whether or not the\noffence is an offence against territory law; or\n\nSection 5\nR14\n26/12/25\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) the person is, or has been within the relevant period, subject to\na protection order or corresponding order; or\n(c) the person is subject to an interim protection order or a\ncorresponding order; or\n(d) the person is subject to an undertaking to keep the peace\n(whether or not the undertaking was given in the ACT); or\n(e) a permit issued to the person under the Act, or a licence or permit\nissued to the person under the Firearms Act 1996, has been\ncancelled.\n(4) For subsection (3) (b):\nprotection order does not include a protection order that has been\nrevoked.\n(5) The registrar may refuse to issue a permit if the registrar considers\nthat issuing the permit would be contrary to the public interest.\n(6) In this section:\ncorresponding order, in relation to a protection order or interim\nprotection order, means an order under a law of a State, another\nTerritory or New Zealand that has the same effect or substantially the\nsame effect as a protection order or interim protection order.\ninterim protection order means an interim order under—\n(a) the Family Violence Act 2016; or\n(b) the Personal Violence Act 2016.\nprescribed offence means an indictable offence involving actual or\nthreatened violence or the use of a firearm, prohibited weapon or\nprohibited article.\n\nSection 6\npage 4 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR14\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nprotection order means a final order under—\n(a) the Family Violence Act 2016; or\n(b) the Personal Violence Act 2016.\nrelevant period, in relation to an application for a permit, means the\n10 years before the day the application was made.\n6 Condition on permits—storage and security\nIt is a condition of a permit issued under the Act that a permit-holder\nmust comply with any guidelines approved by the registrar for the\nstorage and security of the prohibited weapon or prohibited article to\nwhich the permit relates.\n7 Possession and use of crossbows\n(1) The Minister may, in writing, declare a supplier to be an approved\nsupplier of crossbows for this section.\n(2) The registrar must refuse to issue a permit authorising a person to\npossess and use a crossbow that is a prohibited weapon unless—\n(a) the person is an approved supplier; or\n(b) the person—\n(i) is at least 12 years old but is under 18 years; and\n(ii) is a member of an approved archery club; and\n(iii) uses the crossbow for the purpose of participating in\ncompetitions in the use of crossbows conducted by or in\nassociation with an approved archery club and for no other\npurpose; or\n(c) the person—\n(i) is 18 years old or older; and\n(ii) is a member of an approved archery club; and\n\nSection 7\nR14\n26/12/25\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(iii) owns the crossbow; and\n(iv) has the crossbow in his or her possession for the purpose\nof participating, or enabling the person to participate, in\ncompetitions in the use of crossbows conducted by or in\nassociation with an approved archery club and for no other\npurpose.\n(3) Despite subsection (2), the registrar must not issue a permit to possess\nand use a crossbow that is a prohibited weapon to a person mentioned\nin subsection (2) (b) or (c) who has, within the period of 10 years\nbefore—\n(a) the commencement of this regulation; or\n(b) the acquisition of the crossbow;\nwhichever is the later, been convicted in the ACT or elsewhere of an\nindictable offence, whether on indictment or summarily.\n(4) A permit authorising an approved supplier or other person to possess\nand use a crossbow that is a prohibited weapon is subject to the\ncondition that the supplier or person must not, without reasonable\nexcuse, sell or dispose of such a crossbow to a person other than a\nperson who—\n(a) is, or is reasonably believed to be, a member of an approved\narchery club; and\n(b) has a permit to acquire the crossbow.\n(5) A declaration under subsection (1) is a disallowable instrument.\n(6) In this section:\napproved archery club means the Canberra Archery Club\nIncorporated, Canberra Bowhunters Club Incorporated, Capital Field\nArchers, Tuggeranong Archery Club Incorporated or the Weston\nValley Archery Club Incorporated.\napproved supplier means a supplier approved under subsection (1).\n\nSection 8\npage 6 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR14\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n8 Possession and use of darts\n(1) The Minister may, in writing, declare a manufacturer to be an\napproved manufacturer of darts for this section.\n(2) The registrar must refuse to issue a permit authorising a person to\npossess and use a dart unless—\n(a) the person is an approved manufacturer; or\n(b) the person is—\n(i) because of his or her disability, incapable of participating\nin a sport or recreation normally involving the use of\nhand-thrown darts; and\n(ii) in possession of the dart for the purpose of enabling the\nperson to participate in a sport or recreation of a type\nmentioned in subparagraph (i).\n(3) A permit authorising an approved manufacturer or other person to\npossess and use a dart is subject to the condition that the manufacturer\nor person must not, without reasonable excuse, sell or dispose of a\ndart to a person other than a person mentioned in subsection (2) (b) (i)\nwho has a permit to acquire the dart.\n(4) A declaration under subsection (1) is a disallowable instrument.\n(5) In this section:\napproved manufacturer means a manufacturer approved under\nsubsection (1).\ndart means a dart capable of being projected from a blowgun.\n9 Possession and use of catapults\n(1) The registrar must refuse to issue a permit authorising a research body\nto possess a catapult unless the catapult—\n(a) is manufactured or acquired by, or in the possession of, the\nresearch body for use in plant or animal research; and\n\nSection 10\nR14\n26/12/25\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) bears a serial number allocated by the registrar.\n(2) A person employed or engaged by a research body that holds a permit\nto possess a catapult is authorised to possess and use that catapult if\nthe person possesses or uses it for the purposes of that employment\nor engagement.\n(3) A student undertaking research through a research body that holds a\npermit to possess a catapult is authorised to possess and use that\ncatapult for the purpose of his or her research if the use is approved\nby the research body.\n(4) In this section:\ncatapult means a device designed for use with, or a component part\nof which is, a brace that fits or rests on the forearm or another part of\nthe body of the user and supports the wrist against the tension of\nelastic material used to project a projectile.\nresearch body means the Australian National University or the\nUniversity of Canberra.\n10 Possession and use of batons\n(1) The registrar must not permit a security organisation to possess a\nbaton other than in the circumstances specified in subsection (3).\n(2) An employee of a security organisation that holds a permit to possess\na baton is authorised to possess and use that baton in the\ncircumstances specified in subsection (4).\n(3) For subsection (1), the circumstances are that the baton—\n(a) is owned or leased by the security organisation; and\n(b) bears in permanent form—\n(i) an identification number; and\n(ii) the name of the security organisation.\n\nSection 11\npage 8 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR14\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) For subsection (2), the circumstances are that—\n(a) the baton—\n(i) is owned or leased by the security organisation employing\nthe employee; and\n(ii) is in the employee’s possession for use in the course of that\nemployment; and\n(b) the employee has completed a course of training in the use of\nbatons approved by the registrar.\n(5) A permit authorising the possession of a baton is subject to the\nfollowing conditions:\n(a) each use of the baton must be recorded in a register;\n(b) the organisation must not possess more batons than the number\nspecified for that purpose in the permit.\n(6) In this section:\nbaton means an expandable straight baton or a side-handled baton.\n11 Possession and use of nunchaku, nunchaku baton or\nsimilar article\n(1) The registrar must not issue a permit to possess a nunchaku to a\nmartial arts club except in the circumstances specified in\nsubsection (3).\n(2) A person is authorised to possess and use a nunchaku in the\ncircumstances specified in subsection (4).\n(3) For subsection (1), the circumstances are—\n(a) the club is an approved martial arts club; and\n(b) the club employs a full-time or part-time qualified instructor.\n\nSection 11\nR14\n26/12/25\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) For subsection (2), the circumstances are that the person—\n(a) is a member of a relevant approved martial arts club who has\npossession of the nunchaku—\n(i) to take part in instruction by, or instruction supervised by,\na qualified instructor in the use of a nunchaku or in a\ncompetition or demonstration in the use of a nunchaku; or\n(ii) to transport the nunchaku to or from such a competition or\ndemonstration; or\n(b) is a qualified instructor who has a nunchaku in his or her\npossession for the purposes of—\n(i) providing instruction in its use to, or supervising the\ninstruction in its use of, members of the relevant approved\nmartial arts club; or\n(ii) taking part in a competition or demonstration in the use of\na nunchaku; or\n(iii) transporting the nunchaku to or from a competition or\ndemonstration in the use of a nunchaku.\n(5) A permit authorising the possession of a nunchaku by an approved\nmartial arts club is subject to the following conditions:\n(a) the club must not possess more nunchakus than the number\nspecified for that purpose in the permit;\n(b) the nunchaku must not be removed from the club premises\nexcept to be transported to and from a competition or\ndemonstration in the use of nunchakus.\n(6) In this section:\napproved martial arts club means a martial arts club approved by the\nregistrar.\nnunchaku includes a nunchaku baton or similar article.\n\nSection 12\npage 10 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR14\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nqualified instructor means a person who holds a black belt or\nequivalent in a martial art where the qualification is—\n(a) accredited by the Australian Coaching Council (a program of the\nAustralian Sports Commission) through the National Coaching\nAccreditation Scheme; and\n(b) evidenced in writing issued by the council.\nrelevant approved martial arts club, in relation to a nunchaku, means\nan approved martial arts club that—\n(a) has a permit to possess the nunchaku; and\n(b) owns or leases the nunchaku.\n12 Possession and use of body armour\n(1) An employee of a security organisation that holds a permit to possess\nbody armour is authorised to possess and use that armour if the\narmour is—\n(a) owned or leased by the security organisation of which the\nemployee is an employee; and\n(b) in his or her possession for use in the course of that employment;\nand\n(c) when not in use, stored securely and in a way that it is not\nvisible.\n(2) A permit authorising a security organisation to possess body armour\nis subject to the following conditions:\n(a) each use of the armour must be recorded in a register;\n(b) the armour must be inscribed in a permanent way with an\nidentification number;\n(c) the permit-holder must not possess more body armour than\nspecified for the purpose by the permit.\n\nSection 12A\nR14\n26/12/25\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n12A Possession and use of suppressors\n(1) The registrar must not issue a permit authorising a person to possess\nor use a suppressor unless—\n(a) the person is an authorised person; and\n(b) the suppressor is being used for an authorised purpose.\n(2) The following activities are authorised purposes for this section:\n(a) at the direction, or under the authority, of a conservation\nofficer—killing fauna on public land reserved in the\nterritory plan for a purpose mentioned in the Planning Act 2023,\nsection 385 (Reserved areas of public land);\n(b) for a conservation officer or veterinary practitioner—\nkilling fauna to alleviate its suffering;\n(c) for an employee of the CSIRO—undertaking an expedition to\ncollect museum specimens;\n(d) for a firearms dealer—carrying out activities that are reasonable\nand necessary for a firearms dealer to manufacture, acquire,\ndispose of, repair, maintain or test firearms or firearm parts;\n(e) for a lessee of land held under a rural lease or a person authorised\nby the lessee—killing fauna on the rural lease.\n(3) In this section:\nauthorised person means a person who—\n(a) holds a licence or permit or is otherwise authorised under the\nFirearms Act 1996 to possess or use a prohibited firearm; and\n\nSection 12A\npage 12 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR14\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) is—\n(i) a conservation officer; or\n(ii) contracted or otherwise authorised by the Territory to kill\nparticular fauna; or\nNote The conservator or custodian of unleased land or public land\nmust take reasonable steps to implement a controlled native\nspecies management plan and may authorise another person\nto take action to implement the plan (see\nNature Conservation Act 2014, s 167).\n(iii) a veterinary practitioner; or\n(iv) authorised by a licence under the Firearms Act 1996 to\ncarry on business as a firearms dealer, including\nmanufacturing, acquiring, disposing of, repairing,\nmaintaining or testing firearms or firearm parts; or\n(v) employed by the CSIRO; or\n(vi) a lessee of land held under a rural lease, or a person\nlawfully authorised by the lessee.\nconservation officer means a person who is appointed as a\nconservation officer under the Nature Conservation Act 2014,\nsection 28 (Conservation officers—appointment).\nCSIRO means the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research\nOrganisation established by the Science and Industry Research\nAct 1949 (Cwlth).\nfauna includes the following:\n(a) a native animal;\n(b) an animal that is a pest;\n(c) stock.\npest—see the Biosecurity Act 2023, section 11.\n\nSection 13\nR14\n26/12/25\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nrural lease—see the Planning Act 2023, section 256.\nstock—see the Stock Act 2005, dictionary.\n13 Militaria permit\n(1) The registrar must not issue a permit authorising a person to use\nspecified premises for the purposes of a militaria fair unless satisfied\nthat the premises proposed to be used are suitable for such a purpose.\n(2) In considering whether premises are suitable for subsection (1),\nthe registrar must have regard to the following considerations:\n(a) the nature of the activities proposed to be conducted on the\npremises;\n(b) the kind of prohibited weapons or prohibited articles to which\nthe application relates;\n(c) whether adequate provision has been made for the safekeeping\nof the relevant prohibited weapons or prohibited articles;\n(d) the security of the premises generally, and against unauthorised\nentry in particular.\n(3) A permit issued under this section—\n(a) must specify the period during which the permit-holder is\nauthorised to conduct the militaria fair; and\n(b) must specify the people authorised to possess and, if relevant,\nuse a specified prohibited weapon or prohibited article for the\npurposes of the fair; and\n(c) authorises the people specified in accordance with paragraph (b)\nand the permit-holder to possess and, if so specified in the\npermit, use a specified prohibited weapon or prohibited article\nfor the purposes of the fair during the period specified in\naccordance with paragraph (a).\n\nSection 14\npage 14 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR14\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) In this section:\nmilitaria fair means a fair approved by the registrar for the purpose\nof exhibiting prohibited weapons or prohibited articles and related\nitems.\n14 Permits for theatrical and other productions\n(1) The registrar must not authorise the possession or use of a prohibited\nweapon or prohibited article for the purpose of a theatrical or dramatic\nproduction or an historical re-enactment by permit unless—\n(a) the theatrical or dramatic production or historical re-enactment\nin which the prohibited weapon or prohibited article is used is\nbeing staged by a theatrical, dramatic or historical society; and\n(b) the person to whom the permit is to be issued is a performer in,\nor a member of the society staging, the production or\nre-enactment; and\n(c) the person possesses the weapon or article for the purposes of\nthe production or re-enactment; and\n(d) the weapon or article is—\n(i) lent or let on hire for the purpose of the production or\nre-enactment by a person who holds a permit in relation to\nit; or\n(ii) lent or let on hire by a person who is ordinarily resident in\na State or another Territory who is legally in possession of\nit under the law of that State or Territory.\n(2) A permit issued in accordance with subsection (1) does not authorise\nthe use of other than blank ammunition in the relevant weapon.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR14\n26/12/25\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 16 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR14\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThis regulation was originally the Prohibited Weapons Regulations. It was renamed\nby the Protection Orders (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-90\namdt 1.84 and under the Legislation Act 2001.\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997 SL1997-12\nnotified 19 May 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S140)\ncommenced 22 May 1997 (s 2 and see Gaz 1997 No S140)\nas amended by\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 302\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 302 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001\nNo S65)\nProtection Orders (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-90\nsch 1 pt 10\nnotified LR 27 September 2001\ns 1, s 2 commenced 27 September 2001 (LA s 75)\nsch 1 pt 10 commenced 27 March 2002 (s 2, see the Protection Orders\nAct 2001, s 3)\nDomestic Violence and Protection Orders Amendment Act 2005\nA2005-13 sch 1 pt 1.14\nnotified LR 24 March 2005\ns 1, s 2 commenced 24 March 2005 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.14 commenced 25 March 2005 (s 2)\nFirearms Amendment Act 2008 A2008-25 pt 4\nnotified LR 15 July 2008\ns 1, s 2 commenced 15 July 2008 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 4 commenced 15 July 2009 (s 2 (3))\nDomestic Violence and Protection Orders Act 2008 A2008-46 sch 3\npt 3.13\nnotified LR 10 September 2008\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 September 2008 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.13 commenced 30 March 2009 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR14\n26/12/25\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDomestic Violence and Protection Orders Act 2008 A2008-46 sch 3\npt 3.13\nnotified LR 10 September 2008\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 September 2008 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.13 commenced 30 March 2009 (s 2)\nProhibited Weapons Amendment Regulation 2009 (No 1) SL2009-60\nnotified LR 23 December 2009\ns 1, s 2 commenced 23 December 2009 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 24 December 2009 (s 2)\nFamily Violence Act 2016 A2016-42 sch 3 pt 3.17 (as am by A2017-10\ns 7)\nnotified LR 18 August 2016\ns 1, s 2 commenced 18 August 2016 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.17 commenced 1 May 2017 (s 2 (2) as am by A2017-10 s 7)\nFamily and Personal Violence Legislation Amendment Act 2017\nA2017-10 s 7\nnotified LR 6 April 2017\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 April 2017 (LA s 75 (1))\ns 7 commenced 30 April 2017 (s 2 (1))\nNote This Act only amends the Family Violence Act 2016\nA2016-42.\nFirearms and Prohibited Weapons Legislation Amendment Act 2018\nA2018-1 pt 5\nnotified LR 28 February 2018\ns 1, s 2 commenced 28 February 2018 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 5 commenced 1 March 2018 (s 2 (1))\nVeterinary Practice Act 2018 A2018-32 sch 3 pt 3.14\nnotified LR 30 August 2018\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 August 2018 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.14 commenced 21 December 2018 (s 2 and CN2018-12)\nPlanning (Consequential Amendments) Act 2023 A2023-36 sch 1\npt 1.50\nnotified LR 29 September 2023\ns 1, s 2 commenced 29 September 2023 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.50 commenced 27 November 2023 (s 2 (1) and see\nPlanning Act 2023 A2023-18, s 2 (2) and CN2023-10)\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 18 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR14\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nBiosecurity Legislation Amendment Act 2024 A2024-11 sch 2 pt 2.10\nnotified LR 19 April 2024\ns 1, s 2 commenced 19 April 2024 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.10 commenced 15 May 2025 (s 2 and see Biosecurity\nAct 2023 A2023-50, s 2 (2))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 4 pt 4.137\nnotified LR 6 November 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 4 pt 4.137 commenced 26 December 2025 (s 2 (7))\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR14\n26/12/25\nProhibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nName of regulation\ns 1 am R1 LA\nsub A2001-90 amdt 1.84\nam R3 LA\nCommencement\ns 2 om A2001-44 amdt 1.3300\nDefinitions for regulation\ns 3 def Act om A2001-44 amdt 1.3301\ndef registrar sub A2001-90 amdt 1.85\nProhibited articles\ns 4 om A2008-25 s 84\nGeneral grounds for refusal to issue permits\ns 5 am A2001-90 amdt 1.86, amdt 1.87; regs renum R2 LA;\nA2005-13 amdts 1.45-1.47; A2008-46 amdt 3.41, amdt 3.42\n(6) notes to defs interim protection order and protection\norder, (7), (8) exp 27 March 2012 (s 5 (8))\nam A2016-42 amdt 3.89\nPossession and use of crossbows\ns 7 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3302, amdt 1.3303; SL2009-60 s 4;\nA2025-29 amdt 4.138\nPossession and use of darts\ns 8 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3304, amdt 1.3305; A2025-29\namdt 4.138\nPossession and use of batons\ns 10 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3306, amdt 1.3307; A2025-29\namdt 4.138\nPossession and use of body armour\ns 12 hdg sub A2018-1 s 35\ns 12 am A2001-44 amdts 1.3308-1.3310; A2018-1 s 36, s 37;\nA2025-29 amdt 4.138\nPossession and use of suppressors\ns 12A ins A2018-1 s 38\nam A2018-32 amdt 3.54, amdt 3.55; A2023-36 amdt 1.309,\namdt 1.310; A2024-11 amdt 2.31, amdt 2.32\nAmendment of Schedule to Act\ns 15 om R1 LA\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 20 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR14\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 A2001-90 28 February 2002\n2 A2001-90 27 March 2002\n3 A2001-90 1 November 2004\n4 A2005-13 25 March 2005\n5 A2008-46 30 March 2009\n6 A2008-46 15 July 2009\n7 SL2009-60 24 December 2009\n8 SL2009-60 28 March 2012\n9 A2017-10 1 May 2017\n10 A2018-1 1 March 2018\n11 A2018-32 21 December 2018\n12 A2023-36 27 November 2023\n13 A2024-11 15 May 2025\n© Australian Capital Territory 2025","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulation has expanded significantly from its original 1997 scope. Originally focused on basic prohibited weapons like crossbows and martial arts equipment, it has grown to include: body armour (added 2018), firearm suppressors/silencers (added 2018), and updated definitions reflecting modern legislation like the Biosecurity Act 2023 and Planning Act 2023. The suppressor provisions in particular represent a major expansion into firearm accessories regulation, creating a complex scheme linking to conservation, veterinary, and rural land management purposes."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested conditions for each weapon type (e.g., crossbow permits require age + club membership + purpose)","Cross-references to other ACT laws including Firearms Act 1996, Family Violence Act 2016, Personal Violence Act 2016, Nature Conservation Act 2014, Biosecurity Act 2023, and Planning Act 2023","Defined terms section with 2 definitions, plus numerous section-specific definitions (e.g., 'approved archery club', 'qualified instructor', 'authorised person')","Temporal restrictions (10-year lookback periods for criminal convictions)","Multiple permit types with different conditions (general permits, militaria permits, theatrical permits)","Specific exclusions within definitions (e.g., protection order excludes revoked orders)","Conditional logic with 'unless' and 'if' structures throughout"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation creates a permit-based regime for possession and use of specified prohibited weapons in the ACT (e.g. crossbows, nunchakus, batons, body armour, suppressors), limiting access to approved suppliers, clubs, security firms, researchers, conservation officers, vets, theatrical groups and similar authorised users. The registrar may refuse permits for violent criminal history, domestic violence orders, or if someone isn’t “fit and proper”; permit holders must meet storage and use conditions. It aims to protect public safety while enabling legitimate sporting, research, security and theatrical uses."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulation has materially expanded and been refocused since 1997. New categories and rules have been added (notably suppressors at s 12A, and formal rules for body armour and security organisations at ss 10 and 12). The regulation now cross-links with more modern statutes (Family Violence, Nature Conservation, Planning, Biosecurity), broadening its interface with domestic violence screening, conservation and rural management functions, and adding occupational and research exceptions (CSIRO, universities, conservation officers). The cumulative effect is a broader regulatory reach and more finely segmented exceptions than at origin: permission pathways have multiplied (approved suppliers/manufacturers, named clubs, research bodies, occupation-based authorisations) and administrative discretion has increased (registrar guidance, ministerial declarations), which changes both scope and administrative complexity (see ss 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12A)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple weapon-specific provisions with distinct eligibility and conditions (ss 7–12A)","Cross-references to several external Acts (Firearms Act 1996, Family Violence Act 2016, Personal Violence Act 2016, Nature Conservation Act 2014, Planning Act 2023, Biosecurity Act 2023)","Disallowable instruments and ministerial/registrar discretionary powers (ministerial declarations s 7(1), registrar-approved guidelines s 6)","Several conditional exceptions and age, membership, ownership and training requirements (e.g. crossbows ss 7(2)–(4); nunchaku ss 11(3)–(5))","Defined lookback period and multiple exclusionary grounds (10-year relevant period and prescribed offences in s 5)","Record-keeping, marking and quantity limits across multiple sections (ss 10(5), 11(5), 12(2))","Named approved entities (fixed list of archery clubs in s 7) that create rigid application of rules","Recent insertions and amendments (e.g. s 12A suppressors added 2018 and amended later) leading to historical layering of rules"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this regulation does, mechanically**\n\n- It sets detailed rules for who can be issued permits to possess or use particular prohibited weapons and related items, and it places conditions on those permits (see ss 5–6, 7–14).  The Registrar of Firearms (\"the registrar\") is the decision-maker for most permits; the Minister can make specific approvals by written declaration (s 7(1), s 8(1)).\n\n- It lists specific categories and the circumstances in which possession and use are permitted: crossbows (s 7), darts for blowguns (s 8), catapults for research bodies (s 9), batons and body armour for security organisations (ss 10, 12), nunchaku for approved martial arts clubs (s 11), suppressors (silencers) for narrowly defined authorised users and purposes (s 12A), and permits for militaria fairs and theatrical/historical productions (ss 13–14).\n\n- It imposes permit conditions and record-keeping requirements: compliance with registrar-approved storage/security guidelines is mandatory (s 6); batons and body armour must carry identification marks and their use must be recorded in registers (ss 10(3), 12(2)); limits may be placed on how many items a permit-holder may possess (ss 10(5)(b), 11(5)(a), 12(2)(c)).\n\n- It sets general grounds for refusal (who cannot get a permit): the registrar must be satisfied the applicant is a fit and proper person and must refuse if there are convictions for prescribed violent or firearms offences in the previous 10 years, current or recent protection orders or undertakings to keep the peace, or cancellation of earlier permits (s 5). The registrar also has a public-interest discretion to refuse (s 5(5)).\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Individual applicants and permit-holders seeking possession or use of listed prohibited items (ss 5–6).\n- Specific institutional users and professions: approved archery clubs and suppliers (s 7), approved manufacturers of darts (s 8), the Australian National University and University of Canberra for catapults (s 9), security organisations and their employees (ss 10, 12), approved martial arts clubs and qualified instructors (s 11), conservation officers, veterinary practitioners, CSIRO employees, firearms dealers, and rural lessees for suppressors in narrow contexts (s 12A).\n- Suppliers and dealers: rules limit sale/disposal of some items to people with permits or to club members (ss 7(4), 8(3)).\n\n**Why it matters (functional significance)**\n\n- It operationalises the Prohibited Weapons Act by converting broad prohibitions into controlled exceptions: the Act bans particular weapons, and this regulation defines when a permit can be given and what conditions attach.\n\n- It places administrative checks on possession (criminal-history and domestic-violence screening, storage and labelling requirements, training requirements for use in employment), which change compliance costs and routine behaviour for affected groups.\n\n**Claims of purpose and a practical test against trade-offs and incentives**\n\n- The regulation’s expressed purpose is public safety through tightly controlled exceptions to general prohibitions (see refusal grounds s 5 and storage/security s 6).  Mechanically, that is achieved by limiting possession to narrowly defined classes, by gatekeeping (registrar, minister declarations) and by imposing record-keeping and storage obligations.\n\n- Costs and compliance burdens: permit applicants face background checks, a 10-year lookback for relevant convictions (s 5), and conditions such as storage guidelines (s 6). Organisations (security firms, clubs, dealers) must mark equipment, limit numbers, keep registers and provide training (ss 10, 11, 12). These are recurring administrative and operational costs for small organisations and individuals.\n\n- Incentives and private behaviour: some activities are channelled into institutional forms (membership of approved clubs, employment with authorised security organisations, or engagement with approved suppliers/manufacturers). Individuals who want to lawfully use a crossbow, nunchaku or similar must generally join approved clubs or be supervised (ss 7, 11). That creates switching costs for hobbyists and firms.\n\n- Effects on business and competition: the regulation creates regulated niches. Approved suppliers and named clubs (s 7, s 11) receive tightly defined commercial opportunities (concentrated benefits). Firearms dealers retain limited operational functions relating to suppressors (s 12A(2)(d)), but must align with the Firearms Act. The Minister’s power to declare approved suppliers or manufacturers (ss 7(1), 8(1)) and fixed lists of approved archery clubs potentially concentrates market access and may raise barriers for newcomers.\n\n- Implementation risk and bureaucratic discretion: the registrar and, in limited places, the Minister, exercise substantial discretionary authority (approval of clubs and suppliers; public-interest refusal; storage guidelines). That discretion affects predictability for applicants and businesses (see ss 5–6, 7(1), 8(1), 11(6)).\n\n- Substitution and unintended consequences: where possession/use is narrowly restricted, users may substitute other permitted tools or informal activity (e.g. unregulated recreational alternatives), which could change the pattern of demand for suppliers or training providers.\n\n**Who pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes**\n\n- Who pays: applicants and permit-holders pay compliance costs (time, training, storage, registrations). Organisations (security firms, clubs, dealers) bear marking, record-keeping, and limit-enforcement costs. Regulators incur administrative costs to assess permits and maintain approved lists.\n\n- Who decides: the registrar is the primary decision-maker on permits and storage/security guidelines; the Minister can make written declarations approving suppliers/manufacturers (ss 5–6, 7(1), 8(1)).\n\n- Behaviour changes required: applicants must meet fitness criteria, possibly join approved clubs, complete approved training (batons, nunchaku), limit and mark items, and keep use registers. Suppliers face limits on to whom they can sell certain items (ss 6–12A)."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/prohibited-weapons-regulation-1997","history":"/api/acts/prohibited-weapons-regulation-1997/history","analysis":"/api/acts/prohibited-weapons-regulation-1997/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/prohibited-weapons-regulation-1997/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/prohibited-weapons-regulation-1997/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/prohibited-weapons-regulation-1997/documents"}}