1Prohibited Weapons Act 1996

Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Australian Capital Territory Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 A1996-75 Republication No 23 Effective: 26 November 2025 Republication date: 26 November 2025 Last amendment made by A2025-29 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au About this republication The republished law This is a republication of the Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 26 November 2025. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 26 November 2025. The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3 and 4. Kinds of republications The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au): • authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies • unauthorised republications. The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page. Editorial changes The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication. Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice. This republication includes amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1). Uncommenced provisions and amendments If a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately before the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law are accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more information, see the home page for this law on the register. Modifications If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying provision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95. Penalties At the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an individual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133). R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 contents 1 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Australian Capital Territory Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Contents Page Part 1 Preliminary 1 Name of Act 2 2 Dictionary 2 2A Notes 2 2B Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc 3 3 Meaning of possession—Act 3 3A Evidence of possession—prohibited weapons or articles at premises 4 3B Evidence of possession—care, control or management of prohibited weapon or article 5 4 Application of Act 5 Part 1A Important concepts 4A Meaning of prohibited weapon—Act 7 4B Meaning of prohibited article—Act 8 Contents Page contents 2 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 1B Unregulated weapons 4C Meaning of unregulated weapon—Act 9 4CA Meaning of connected—pt 1B 9 4D Unregulated weapons—seizure by police 9 4E Unregulated weapons—receipt for seizure 10 4F Unregulated weapons—examination 10 4G Unregulated weapons—access to things seized 11 4H Unregulated weapons—review of decision to seize 11 4I Unregulated weapons—forfeiture 12 Part 1C Minister’s guidelines 4K Minister’s guidelines 13 Part 1D Declarations about prohibited articles and weapons 4L Prohibited articles and weapons declarations by registrar 14 4M Effect of certain declarations 14 Part 2 Offences 5 Offence—unauthorised possession or use of prohibited weapons 15 6 Offence—unauthorised possession or use of prohibited articles 15 6A Declarations about authorised possession and use of laser pointers 16 6B Guidelines for declarations under section 6A 16 7 Inspection of prohibited weapons or articles by police 17 8 Offence—disposal of prohibited weapons and articles by unauthorised holders 17 Part 3 Permits 9 Permits 19 11 Contravention of conditions 19 12 Production of permit 19 13 Surrender of cancelled permit 20 Part 3A Notification and review of decisions 14 Meaning of reviewable decision—pt 3A 21 14A Reviewable decision notices 21 Contents Page R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 contents 3 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 14B Applications for review 21 Part 4 Miscellaneous 15 Information to be supplied 22 16 Disposal of surrendered or seized prohibited weapons or prohibited articles 22 17 Evidentiary provisions 23 17A Determination of fees 23 18 Approved forms 23 19 Regulation-making power 23 Schedule 1 Prohibited weapons 24 Part 1.1 Prohibited bladed weapons 24 Part 1.2 Prohibited hand weapons 27 Part 1.3 Prohibited missile weapons 29 Part 1.4 Other prohibited weapons 30 Schedule 2 Prohibited articles 32 Schedule 3 Reviewable decisions 33 Dictionary 34 Endnotes 1 About the endnotes 36 2 Abbreviation key 36 3 Legislation history 37 4 Amendment history 40 5 Earlier republications 45 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 1 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Australian Capital Territory Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 An Act to prohibit the possession of certain dangerous weapons and other articles, and for related purposes Part 1 Preliminary Section 1 page 2 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 1 Preliminary 1 Name of Act This Act is the Prohibited Weapons Act 1996. 2 Dictionary The dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act. Note 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this Act, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined elsewhere. For example, the signpost definition, ‘firearm—see the Firearms Act 1996, section 6.’ means that the term ‘firearm’ is defined in that section and the definition applies to this Act. Note 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to the entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act, provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)). 2A Notes A note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act. Note See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes. Preliminary Part 1 Section 2B R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 3 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 2B Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc Other legislation applies in relation to offences against this Act. Note 1 Criminal Code The Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to the following offences against this Act (see Code, pt 2.1): • s 5 (Offence—unauthorised possession or use of prohibited weapons) • s 6 (Offence—unauthorised possession or use of prohibited articles) • s 8 (Offence—disposal of prohibited weapons and articles by unauthorised holders). The chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility (including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms used for offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention, recklessness and strict liability). Note 2 Penalty units The Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties that are expressed in penalty units. 3 Meaning of possession—Act (1) For this Act, a person has possession of a prohibited weapon or prohibited article if the person— (a) has the weapon or article on their person, including in something carried or worn by the person (physical possession); or (b) has the weapon or article at premises owned, leased or occupied by the person; or (c) otherwise has the care, control or management of the weapon or article. Part 1 Preliminary Section 3A page 4 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (2) Also, for this Act, a person has possession of a prohibited weapon or prohibited article if— (a) part of the weapon or article is in the person’s possession; and (b) other parts of the weapon or article are in the possession of 1 or more other people; and (c) at least 1 of the other people is in possession of the other part or parts for an agreed purpose with the person; and (d) the parts would make up the weapon or article if fitted together. 3A Evidence of possession—prohibited weapons or articles at premises (1) For this Act, a person is not taken to have possession of a prohibited weapon or prohibited article only because the weapon or article is at premises owned, leased or occupied by the person if— (a) the person does not know that the weapon or article is at the premises; or (b) someone else who is authorised to possess the weapon or article— (i) is also at the premises; or (ii) has the care, control or management of the weapon or article; or (c) someone else who is not authorised to possess the weapon or article has the care, control or management of the weapon or article; or (d) the trier of fact is otherwise satisfied that the person was not in possession of the weapon or article. (2) To remove any doubt, a defendant to a prosecution for an offence against this Act who wishes to rely on a matter mentioned in subsection (1) has the evidential burden in relation to the matter. Preliminary Part 1 Section 3B R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 5 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 3B Evidence of possession—care, control or management of prohibited weapon or article (1) To work out whether a person has the care, control or management of a prohibited weapon or prohibited article for this Act, each of the following must be considered: (a) whether the person knows about the weapon or article; (b) whether the person can use or dispose of the weapon or article; (c) whether the person can control or prevent someone else from using or having physical possession of the weapon or article. (2) In this section: physical possession—see section 3 (1) (a). 4 Application of Act (1) A person does not commit an offence against this Act only because of something done by the person in the exercise of the person’s functions as a member of— (a) the Australian Federal Police or a police force of a State or another Territory; or (b) a police service or force of a foreign country required to possess or use a prohibited weapon or prohibited article for taking part in a training activity— (i) conducted by the Australian Federal Police; and (ii) carried out in the ACT; or (c) the Defence Force; or (d) a visiting force within the meaning of the Defence (Visiting Forces) Act 1963 (Cwlth); or (e) the Australian Cadet Corps established under the Defence Act 1903 (Cwlth); or Part 1 Preliminary Section 4 page 6 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (f) the council of the Australian War Memorial or of the staff of the memorial who, in the exercise of their functions and duties in accordance with the Australian War Memorial Act 1980 (Cwlth), has in their possession a prohibited weapon, forming part of the memorial collection within the meaning of that Act; or (g) the council of the National Museum of Australia or of the staff of the museum who, in the exercise of their functions and duties in accordance with the National Museum of Australia Act 1980 (Cwlth), has in their possession a prohibited weapon forming part of the memorial collection under that Act. Note A reference to an Act includes a reference to the statutory instruments made or in force under the Act, including regulations and permits (see Legislation Act 2001, s 104). (2) Also, a person does not commit an offence against this Act only because of something done by the person in the exercise of the person’s functions as— (a) a corrections officer; or (b) an aviation security inspector under the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 (Cwlth). Note Exercise, function and corrections officer are defined in the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1. Important concepts Part 1A Section 4A R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 7 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 1A Important concepts 4A Meaning of prohibited weapon—Act (1) In this Act: prohibited weapon— (a) means— (i) a weapon or thing described in schedule 1; and (ii) a weapon or thing prescribed by regulation; and (iii) something declared to be a prohibited weapon under section 4L; and (b) includes a modified prohibited weapon. (2) However, prohibited weapon does not include something declared not to be a prohibited weapon under section 4L. (3) A regulation may amend schedule 1— (a) by adding the name or description of a weapon or thing; or (b) by amending a name or description of a prohibited weapon to more accurately describe the weapon; or (c) by omitting the name and description of a prohibited weapon. (4) In this section: modified prohibited weapon means a weapon or thing that would be a prohibited weapon if— (a) it did not have something missing from it, or a defect or obstruction; or (b) something had not been added to it. Part 1A Important concepts Section 4B page 8 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 4B Meaning of prohibited article—Act (1) In this Act: prohibited article— (a) means— (i) an article described in schedule 2; and (ii) an article prescribed by regulation; and (iii) something declared to be a prohibited article under section 4L; and (b) includes a modified prohibited article. (2) However, prohibited article does not include something declared not to be a prohibited article under section 4L. (3) A regulation may amend schedule 2— (a) by adding the name or description of an article; or (b) by amending a name or description of a prohibited article to more accurately describe the article; or (c) by omitting the name and description of a prohibited article. (4) In this section: modified prohibited article means an article that would be a prohibited article if— (a) it did not have something missing from it, or a defect or obstruction; or (b) something had not been added to it. Unregulated weapons Part 1B Section 4C R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 9 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 1B Unregulated weapons 4C Meaning of unregulated weapon—Act In this Act: unregulated weapon—a thing is an unregulated weapon if— (a) the thing is designed, made or altered to be used as a weapon; and (b) the only practical use of the thing is as a weapon; and (c) the thing is not a prohibited weapon; and (d) the possession or use of the thing is not authorised under this Act. 4CA Meaning of connected—pt 1B In this part: connected—a thing is connected with an offence if— (a) the offence has been committed in relation to it; or (b) it will provide evidence of the commission of the offence; or (c) it was used, is being used, or is intended to be used, to commit the offence. 4D Unregulated weapons—seizure by police A police officer may seize a thing if the police officer believes on reasonable grounds that the thing is an unregulated weapon and that the seizure is necessary— (a) because the thing would pose a risk to the safety of anyone if used; and (b) to prevent the thing from being used or concealed, lost or destroyed. Part 1B Unregulated weapons Section 4E page 10 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 4E Unregulated weapons—receipt for seizure (1) A police officer who seizes a thing under section 4D must give a receipt for the thing to the person from whom it was seized. (2) If, for any reason, it is not practicable to comply with subsection (1), the police officer must leave the receipt, secured conspicuously, at the premises where it was seized (the place of seizure). (3) The receipt must include the following: (a) a description of the thing seized; (b) an explanation of why the thing was seized; (c) the police officer’s name, and how to contact the officer; (d) if the thing is removed from the place of seizure under section 4F—the address of the place to which the thing is removed. 4F Unregulated weapons—examination (1) A police officer who seizes a thing under section 4D (Unregulated weapons—seizure by police) may remove the thing from the premises where it was seized to another place for examination or processing, for not longer than 7 days (the 7-day period). (2) A police officer may apply to the Magistrates Court for an extension of the 7-day period if the officer believes on reasonable grounds that the thing cannot be examined or processed within that time. (3) The police officer must, if practicable, give notice of the application to the person from whom the thing was seized, and the person is entitled to be heard on the application. (4) The court may order the extension if satisfied on reasonable grounds that the thing cannot be examined or processed within the 7-day period. Unregulated weapons Part 1B Section 4G R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 11 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (5) If a thing is moved to another place under this section, the police officer must, if practicable, tell the person from whom the thing was seized (or the person’s representative) the results of the examination or processing. 4G Unregulated weapons—access to things seized A person who would, apart from the seizure, be entitled to inspect a thing seized under section 4D (Unregulated weapons—seizure by police) may inspect it. 4H Unregulated weapons—review of decision to seize (1) The registrar must review each seizure under section 4D (Unregulated weapons—seizure by police) and order the return of the thing to the person from whom it was seized if— (a) when seized, the thing was not— (i) an unregulated weapon; or (ii) a prohibited weapon; or (b) within 30 days after the day of seizure, the thing is not a prohibited weapon; or (c) the registrar has no reasonable grounds to believe that the thing is connected with an offence against any of the following: (i) this Act; (ii) the Firearms Act 1996; (iii) the Crimes Act 1900; (iv) the Criminal Code; (v) another law prescribed by regulation. Part 1B Unregulated weapons Section 4I page 12 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (2) If a thing is ordered to be returned under subsection (1) to the person from whom it was seized, but it cannot be returned, the Territory must pay reasonable compensation to the owner of the thing for its loss. (3) In this section: offence includes an offence that there are reasonable grounds for believing has been, is being or will be, committed. 4I Unregulated weapons—forfeiture (1) A thing seized under section 4D (Unregulated weapons—seizure by police) is forfeited to the Territory if there is no requirement under section 4H— (a) to return the thing to the person from whom it was seized; or (b) to pay compensation for the thing. (2) A thing forfeited to the Territory may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the director-general directs. Minister’s guidelines Part 1C Section 4K R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 13 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 1C Minister’s guidelines 4K Minister’s guidelines (1) The Minister may make guidelines about the making of a decision by the registrar under section 4L. (2) The registrar must comply with any guidelines under this section. (3) A guideline is a disallowable instrument. Part 1D Declarations about prohibited articles and weapons Section 4L page 14 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 1D Declarations about prohibited articles and weapons 4L Prohibited articles and weapons declarations by registrar (1) The registrar may, in accordance with any guidelines under section 4K (Minister’s guidelines), do any of the following: (a) declare something to be a prohibited article; (b) declare an unregulated weapon to be a prohibited weapon; (c) declare that something is not a prohibited article or prohibited weapon. (2) A declaration remains in force for 3 months. (3) A declaration is a disallowable instrument. (4) The registrar must give additional public notice of the declaration. Note Public notice means notice on an ACT Government website or in a daily newspaper circulating in the ACT (see Legislation Act, dict, pt 1). The requirement in s (4) is in addition to the requirement for notification on the legislation register as a disallowable instrument. 4M Effect of certain declarations A person does not commit an offence against this Act in relation to the possession or use of a thing that is the subject of a declaration under section 4L (1) (a) or (b) if the elements of the offence happen less than 2 days after the day the declaration is notified under the Legislation Act. Offences Part 2 Section 5 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 15 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 2 Offences 5 Offence—unauthorised possession or use of prohibited weapons A person commits an offence if the person— (a) possesses or uses a prohibited weapon; and (b) is not authorised by a permit, or otherwise under this Act, to possess or use the weapon. Maximum penalty: 500 penalty units, imprisonment for 5 years or both. Note A reference to an Act includes a reference to the statutory instruments made or in force under the Act, including any regulation (see Legislation Act, s 104). 6 Offence—unauthorised possession or use of prohibited articles A person commits an offence if the person— (a) possesses or uses a prohibited article; and (b) is not authorised by a permit, or otherwise under this Act, to possess or use the article. Maximum penalty: 200 penalty units, imprisonment for 2 years or both. Note A reference to an Act includes a reference to the statutory instruments made or in force under the Act, including any regulation (see Legislation Act, s 104). Part 2 Offences Section 6A page 16 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 6A Declarations about authorised possession and use of laser pointers (1) The registrar may, in accordance with any guidelines under section 6B, declare that the possession or use of a laser pointer is authorised. Note 1 A power to make a statutory instrument includes power to make different provision in relation to different matters or different classes of matters (see Legislation Act, s 48). Note 2 A reference to an Act includes a reference to a provision of an Act (see Legislation Act, s 7 (3)). (2) A declaration may provide for the authorisation— (a) to apply generally or in a particular case; or (b) to be conditional. (3) A declaration is a disallowable instrument. (4) In this section: laser pointer means a prohibited weapon that is a hand-held article, commonly known as a laser pointer, designed or adapted to emit a laser beam with an accessible emission level of greater than 1mW. 6B Guidelines for declarations under section 6A (1) The Minister may make guidelines about the making of a declaration under section 6A. (2) The registrar must comply with any guidelines under this section. (3) A guideline is a disallowable instrument. Offences Part 2 Section 7 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 17 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 7 Inspection of prohibited weapons or articles by police (1) A person who possesses a prohibited weapon or prohibited article must, on demand made by a police officer at any time, produce for inspection by that officer— (a) the weapon or article; and (b) any permit that authorises the person to possess the weapon or article. Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units. (2) A person commits an offence against subsection (1) only if the police officer, when making the demand, explains to the person that failure to comply with the demand is an offence against this Act. (3) In subsection (1), a reference to a prohibited weapon or a prohibited article includes a reference to a part of a prohibited weapon or a prohibited article. 8 Offence—disposal of prohibited weapons and articles by unauthorised holders (1) A person commits an offence if— (a) the person has possession of a prohibited weapon or prohibited article; and (b) the person is not, or is no longer, authorised by a permit or otherwise under this Act to possess the weapon or article; and (c) within 7 days after the day the person comes into possession of, or is no longer authorised to possess, the weapon or article, the person fails— (i) to surrender the weapon or article to a police officer; or Part 2 Offences Section 8 page 18 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (ii) to dispose of the weapon or article to someone who is authorised by a permit to possess it. Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or both. (2) A person does not contravene any other provision of this Act because the person— (a) disposed of or surrendered a prohibited weapon or prohibited article in accordance with this section; or (b) accepted a prohibited weapon or prohibited article under this section. Permits Part 3 Section 9 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 19 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 3 Permits 9 Permits (1) The registrar may issue a permit authorising the possession or use of— (a) a prohibited weapon; or (b) a prohibited article. (2) The regulations may provide for mandatory or discretionary grounds for refusing the issue of a permit. (3) A permit may be issued subject to conditions. (4) The conditions may provide for the expiration of the permit, limit the authority it confers and impose requirements on the person to whom the permit is issued. (5) The registrar may, for any reason the registrar considers sufficient, cancel a permit by causing written notice of its cancellation to be served on the person to whom the permit was issued. (6) A person to whom a permit was issued may surrender the permit for cancellation. 11 Contravention of conditions A person to whom a permit is issued must not contravene any requirement made by the conditions of a permit. Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units. 12 Production of permit (1) A person to whom a permit is issued must, on demand of a police officer at any time— (a) produce the permit for inspection by the police officer if the person has the permit in their possession; or Part 3 Permits Section 13 page 20 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (b) state the person’s full name and usual place of residence to the police officer. Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or both. (2) A person commits an offence against subsection (1) only if the police officer, when making the demand, explains to the person that failure to comply with the demand is an offence against this Act. 13 Surrender of cancelled permit If a permit is cancelled or expires, the person to whom it was issued must within 7 days of that cancellation or expiry, surrender it to the registrar. Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or both. Notification and review of decisions Part 3A Section 14 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 21 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 3A Notification and review of decisions 14 Meaning of reviewable decision—pt 3A In this part: reviewable decision means a decision mentioned in schedule 3, column 3 under a provision of this Act mentioned in column 2 in relation to the decision. 14A Reviewable decision notices If a person makes a reviewable decision, the person must give a reviewable decision notice to each entity mentioned in schedule 3, column 4 in relation to the decision. Note The person must also take reasonable steps to give a reviewable decision notice to any other person whose interests are affected by the decision (see ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2008, s 67A). 14B Applications for review The following may apply to the ACAT for a review of a reviewable decision: (a) an entity mentioned in schedule 3, column 4 in relation to the decision; (b) any other person whose interests are affected by the decision. Part 4 Miscellaneous Section 15 page 22 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 4 Miscellaneous 15 Information to be supplied A person who has possession of a prohibited weapon or prohibited article acquired from another person must, on demand made by a police officer at any time, inform the police officer of— (a) the name and address of the person from whom the weapon or article was acquired; and (b) the date on which it was acquired. Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units. 16 Disposal of surrendered or seized prohibited weapons or prohibited articles (1) A magistrate may, on application by a police officer or by any person who claims to be the owner of a prohibited weapon or prohibited article surrendered to or seized by a police officer in accordance with this Act, order that the weapon or article— (a) be forfeited to the Territory; or (b) be returned to the person claiming to be the owner of the weapon or article; or (c) be otherwise disposed of in such manner as the court thinks fit. (2) If a person is found guilty of an offence against this Act and a weapon or article has been seized by a police officer in connection with the offence, the court which makes the finding of guilt is taken to have ordered that the weapon or article be forfeited to the Territory. Note Found guilty—see the Legislation Act, dictionary, pt 1. (3) A weapon or article forfeited under subsection (2) may be destroyed. Miscellaneous Part 4 Section 17 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 23 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 17 Evidentiary provisions A certificate signed by the registrar stating the following is evidence of the matter stated: (a) at a stated time or during a stated period, a stated person was, or was not, the holder of a stated permit (or of a permit for a stated prohibited weapon or prohibited article); (b) a permit was or was not, on a day or during a stated period, subject to a stated condition. 17A Determination of fees (1) The Minister may determine fees for this Act. (2) A determination is a disallowable instrument. 18 Approved forms (1) The registrar may approve forms for this Act. (2) If the registrar approves a form for a particular purpose, the approved form must be used for that purpose. (3) An approved form is a notifiable instrument. 19 Regulation-making power (1) The Executive may make regulations for this Act. (2) The regulations may prescribe offences for contraventions of the regulations and prescribe maximum penalties of not more than 10 penalty units for offences against the regulations. Schedule 1 Prohibited weapons Part 1.1 Prohibited bladed weapons page 24 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Schedule 1 Prohibited weapons (see s 4A) Part 1.1 Prohibited bladed weapons column 1 item column 2 description 1 a flick knife or other similar device that has a blade folded or recessed into the handle which opens automatically by— (a) gravity or centrifugal force; or (b) pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle of the device 2 a sheath knife or other similar device that has a sheath that withdraws into the handle by— (a) gravity or centrifugal force; or (b) pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle of the device 3 a dagger or other similar device, that has a sharp-pointed stabbing instrument— (a) that can be concealed on the person; and (b) that— (i) has a flat blade with cutting edges (whether serrated or non-serrated) along the length of both sides; or (ii) has a needle-like blade, the cross section of which is elliptical or has three or more sides; and (iii) is not a sword or bayonet Example Urban Skinner push dagger Prohibited weapons Schedule 1 Prohibited bladed weapons Part 1.1 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au column 1 item column 2 description 4 a butterfly knife, balisong or other similar device that consists of a blade (whether single-edged or multi-edged) or spike that— (a) fits within 2 handles attached to the blade or spike by transverse pivot points; and (b) can be opened by gravity or centrifugal force 5 a star knife or other similar device that— (a) consists of 2 or more angular points, blades or spikes that spreads out about a central axis point; and (b) is designed to spin around the knife’s central axis point in flight when thrown at a target 6 a trench knife or other similar device that— (a) consists of a blade (whether single-edged or multi-edged) or spike; and (b) is fitted with a handle made of a hard substance; and (c) is either made or modified to be fitted over the knuckles of the hand of the user— (i) to protect the knuckles; and (ii) to increase the effect of a punch or blow 7 a knife that can discharge a blade as a projectile by a spring mechanism or other means (known as a ballistic knife) 8 a blade, knife or axe that is either made or modified to be thrown 9 a claw (known as a hand or foot claw) made or modified to be attached to or worn on the hand or foot to cause injury to someone else Schedule 1 Prohibited weapons Part 1.1 Prohibited bladed weapons page 26 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au column 1 item column 2 description 10 an article or other thing that— (a) because of its appearance is capable of being mistaken for something else that is not a weapon; and (b) disguises or conceals within it a single-edged or multi- edged blade or spike Example credit card knife Prohibited weapons Schedule 1 Prohibited hand weapons Part 1.2 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 27 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 1.2 Prohibited hand weapons column 1 item column 2 description 1 a knuckle-duster or other similar device, made or modified to be fitted over the knuckles of the hand of the user— (a) to protect the knuckles; and (b) to increase the effect of a punch or other blow 2 a sap glove or other weighted glove (including a fingerless glove) made or modified to be used as a weapon 3 a studded glove, or other similar hand covering, that incorporates protrusions designed to puncture or bruise the skin 4 a mace or other similar device (other than a ceremonial mace made for use solely as a symbol of authority on ceremonial occasions) that— (a) can cause injury; and (b) consists of a club or staff fitted with a flanged or spiked head 5 a flail or other similar device consisting of a staff or handle that has fitted to 1 end, by any means, a freely swinging part armed with spikes or studded with any protruding matter 6 a whip, the lash of which is comprised completely or partly of metal 7 a cat-o’-nine-tails or other similar device whether or not it has 9 lashes 8 nunchakus or kung-fu sticks or other similar device Schedule 1 Prohibited weapons Part 1.2 Prohibited hand weapons page 28 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au column 1 item column 2 description 9 a side-handled baton or other similar device that— (a) consists of a baton, staff or rod; and (b) is made of a hard substance; and (c) has fitted to 1 side a handle (whether or not permanently fixed) 10 an extendable or telescopic baton, made or modified so that the length of the baton extends by— (a) gravity; or (b) centrifugal force; or (c) pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle of the baton Prohibited weapons Schedule 1 Prohibited missile weapons Part 1.3 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 29 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 1.3 Prohibited missile weapons column 1 item column 2 description 1 a spear gun with an overall length of less than 45cm when unloaded 2 a hunting sling, catapult or sling shot made or modified for use with, or a component part of which is, a brace that— (a) fits or rests on the forearm or other part of the body; and (b) supports the wrist or forearm against the tension of the material used to propel a projectile Example a Saunders ‘falcon’ hunting sling 3 a crossbow or other similar device manufactured on or after 1 January 1900 4 a blow gun, blow-pipe or dart projector that consists of a pipe or tube through which a dart or other device can be projected by— (a) the exhaled breath of the user; or (b) the use of an elasticised band; or (c) means other than by an explosive 5 a shark dart or other similar device designed to expel, on or after contact, a gas or other substance that can cause bodily harm Example a Farallon shark dart Schedule 1 Prohibited weapons Part 1.4 Other prohibited weapons page 30 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Part 1.4 Other prohibited weapons column 1 item column 2 description 1 an explosive, incendiary, irritant or poison gas— (a) bomb; or (b) grenade; or (c) rocket with a propellant charge of more than 100g; or (d) missile with an explosive or incendiary charge of more than 7g; or (e) mine 2 a device or apparatus made or modified for use with a gas or liquid, if the device or apparatus is— (a) capable of killing or incapacitating someone; or (b) made or modified to kill or incapacitate someone 3 A flame thrower or any other device of military design that can propel ignited incendiary fuel 4 A hand-held or other electric device designed to administer an electric shock on contact, other than a piece of medical equipment or electric prod designed exclusively for use with animals Example—hand-held electric device a taser self-defence weapon Examples—other electric device 1 a taxi protection cushion system 2 a super safety suitcase 5 a thing made or intended as a defence or antipersonnel spray that can discharge by any means an irritant (other than an irritant matter mentioned in item 6) in liquid, powder, gas or chemical form Prohibited weapons Schedule 1 Other prohibited weapons Part 1.4 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 31 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au column 1 item column 2 description 6 a thing made or intended as a defence or antipersonnel spray that can discharge by any means an irritant in liquid, powder, gas or chemical form, including but not limited to the following: (a) chloroacetophenone, known as CN; (b) orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile, known as CS; (c) dypenylaminechloroarsone, known as DM or Adamsite; (d) oleoresin capsicum, known as OC 7 an acoustic or light-emitting antipersonnel device made or modified— (a) to cause permanent or temporary incapacity or disability to a person; or (b) to otherwise physically disorientate a person 8 hand-held articles, commonly known as laser pointers, designed or adapted to emit a laser beam with an accessible emission level of greater than 1mW Schedule 2 Prohibited articles page 32 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Schedule 2 Prohibited articles (see s 4B) column 1 item column 2 description 1 body armour 2 a modified article of clothing, accessory or adornment a purpose of which is to disguise or conceal a weapon Examples—modified articles 1 a walking stick containing a sword 2 a riding crop containing a stiletto 3 a Bowen knife belt 3 a suppressor 4 equipment made or modified to make a smoke screen 5 a trip flare 6 a rimfire magazine with a capacity of more than 15 rounds 7 a pistol magazine with a capacity of more than 10 rounds 8 a centre-fire self-loading rifle magazine, or shotgun magazine, with a capacity of more than 5 rounds 9 a detachable centre-fire rifle magazine (other than a centre-fire self-loading rifle magazine) with a capacity of more than 10 rounds 10 a shotgun tubular magazine extension to extend the capacity of a shotgun magazine to more than 5 rounds 11 a device that converts a firearm so it can fire in a fully automatic condition 12 a folding, detachable, telescopic or collapsible stock Reviewable decisions Schedule 3 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 33 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Schedule 3 Reviewable decisions (see pt 3A) column 1 item column 2 section column 3 decision column 4 entity 1 9 (1) refuse to issue permit applicant for permit 2 9 (5) cancel permit person who held permit Dictionary page 34 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Dictionary (see s 2) Note 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to this Act. Note 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms: • ACAT • ACT • corrections officer • Criminal Code • director-general (see s 163) • exercise • found guilty • function • police officer • registrar of firearms • reviewable decision notice • under. anti-ballistic means resistant to the penetration of a projectile discharged from a firearm. anti-fragmentation means resistant to the penetration of material discharged when an explosive device is detonated. body armour means— (a) an article that is designed— (i) for anti-ballistic or anti-fragmentation purposes; and (ii) to be worn on, or cover, the human body; but Dictionary R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 35 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au (b) does not include any of the following: (i) a helmet; (ii) an anti-ballistic article designed for sight or hearing protection; (iii) a vest or plate carrier designed to hold anti-ballistic or anti- fragmentation protection but without the anti-ballistic or anti-fragmentation protection included in the vest or plate carrier. connected with an offence, for part 1B (Unregulated weapons)—see section 4CA. dispose, of a prohibited weapon or article, means sell, give away or otherwise transfer possession of the weapon or article. firearm—see the Firearms Act 1996, section 6. permit means a permit under part 3. possession—see section 3. premises means the whole or any part of any land, building or other structure, vehicle, vessel, aircraft or place. prohibited article—see section 4B. prohibited weapon—see section 4A. registrar means the registrar of firearms. reviewable decision, for part 3A (Notification and review of decisions)—see section 14. suppressor means an article or device intended for use to muffle, reduce or stop the noise created by firing a firearm. unregulated weapon—see section 4C. Endnotes 1 About the endnotes page 36 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Endnotes 1 About the endnotes Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law but are set out in the endnotes. Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office. Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are underlined in the legislation history and amendment history. If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered provisions gives details of previous and current numbering. The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications. 2 Abbreviation key A = Act NI = Notifiable instrument AF = Approved form o = order am = amended om = omitted/repealed amdt = amendment ord = ordinance AR = Assembly resolution orig = original ch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph CN = Commencement notice pres = present def = definition prev = previous DI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously dict = dictionary pt = part disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule Assembly reloc = relocated div = division renum = renumbered exp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No Gaz = gazette RI = reissue hdg = heading s = section/subsection IA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule ins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision LA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law LR = legislation register sub = substituted LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced mod = modified/modification or to be expired Endnotes Legislation history 3 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 37 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 3 Legislation history Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 A1996-75 notified 20 December 1996 (Gaz 1998 No S328) s 1, s 2 commenced 20 December 1996 (s 2 (1)) remainder commenced 22 May 1997 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1997 No S140) as amended by Prohibited Weapons Regulations 1997 SL1997-12 notified 19 May 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S137) commenced 22 May 1997 (s 2) Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 301 notified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30) s 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B) pt 301 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001 No S65) Criminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Amendment Act 2004 A2004-15 sch 2 pt 2.71 notified LR 26 March 2004 s 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 2 pt 2.71 commenced 9 April 2004 (s 2 (1)) Sentencing Legislation Amendment Act 2006 A2006-23 sch 1 pt 1.29 notified LR 18 May 2006 s 1, s 2 commenced 18 May 2006 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 1 pt 1.29 commenced 2 June 2006 (s 2 (1) and see Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005 A2005-59 s 2, Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005 A2005-58, s 2 and LA s 79) Firearms Amendment Act 2008 A2008-25 pt 3, sch 1 pt 1.2 notified LR 15 July 2008 s 1, s 2 commenced 15 July 2008 (LA s 75 (1)) s 76, s 81 commenced 16 July 2008 (s 2 (2)) s 71, s 72, s 82, sch 1 amdt 1.14, amdt 1.16 commenced 15 July 2009 (s 2 (3)) pt 3 remainder, sch 1 pt 1.2 remainder commenced 15 January 2009 (s 2 (1) and LA s 79) Endnotes 3 Legislation history page 38 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Legislation Amendment Act 2008 A2008-36 sch 1 pt 1.41 notified LR 4 September 2008 s 1, s 2 commenced 4 September 2008 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 1 pt 1.41 commenced 15 July 2009 (s 2 (4) and see Firearms Amendment Act 2008 A2008-25, s 2 (3)) Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2009 (No 2) A2009-19 pt 12 notified LR 1 September 2009 s 1, s 2 commenced 1 September 2009 (LA s 75 (1)) pt 12 commenced 29 September 2009 (s 2) Statute Law Amendment Act 2009 A2009-20 sch 3 pt 3.60 notified LR 1 September 2009 s 1, s 2 commenced 1 September 2009 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 3 pt 3.60 commenced 22 September 2009 (s 2) Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2010 A2010-13 sch 1 pt 1.5 notified LR 31 March 2010 s 1, s 2 commenced 31 March 2010 (LA s 75 (1)) s 3 commenced 1 April 2010 (LA s 75AA) sch 1 pt 5 commenced 28 April 2010 (s 2 (4)) Administrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2011 A2011-22 sch 1 pt 1.123 notified LR 30 June 2011 s 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2011 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 1 pt 1.123 commenced 1 July 2011 (s 2 (1)) Statute Law Amendment Act 2013 (No 2) A2013-44 sch 3 pt 3.15 notified LR 11 November 2013 s 1, s 2 commenced 11 November 2013 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 3 pt 3.15 commenced 25 November 2013 (s 2) Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2015 A2015-3 pt 10 notified LR 2 March 2015 s 1, s 2 commenced 2 March 2015 (LA s 75 (1)) pt 10 commenced 3 March 2015 (s 2 (1)) Endnotes Legislation history 3 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 39 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2015 A2015-33 sch 1 pt 1.53 notified LR 30 September 2015 s 1, s 2 commenced 30 September 2015 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 1 pt 1.53 commenced 14 October 2015 (s 2) Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2016 A2016-37 sch 1 pt 1.16 notified LR 22 June 2016 s 1, s 2 commenced 22 June 2016 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 1 pt 1.16 commenced 29 June 2016 (s 2) Firearms and Prohibited Weapons Legislation Amendment Act 2018 A2018-1 pt 4 notified LR 28 February 2018 s 1, s 2 commenced 28 February 2018 (LA s 75 (1)) ss 28, 29 and 31-34 commenced 1 March 2018 (s 2 (1)) pt 4 remainder commenced 28 March 2018 (s 2 (3)) COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020 A2020-11 sch 1 pt 1.17 notified LR 7 April 2020 s 1, s 2 commenced 7 April 2020 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 1 pt 1.17 commenced 8 April 2020 (s 2 (1)) COVID-19 Emergency Response Legislation Amendment Act 2020 A2020-14 sch 1 pt 1.23 notified LR 13 May 2020 s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 30 March 2020 (LA s 75 (2)) sch 1 pt 1.23 commenced 14 May 2020 (s 2 (1)) Firearms Legislation Amendment Act 2020 A2020-19 pt 4 notified LR 27 May 2020 s 1, s 2 commenced 27 May 2020 (LA s 75 (1)) pt 4 commenced 28 May 2020 (s 2) Statute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 3 pt 3.69, sch 4 pt 4.136 notified LR 6 November 2025 s 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1)) sch 3 pt 3.69, sch 4 pt 4.136 commenced 26 November 2025 (s 2 (3), (9)) Endnotes 4 Amendment history page 40 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 4 Amendment history Name of Act s 1 sub A2008-25 amdt 1.13 Dictionary s 2 om A2001-44 amdt 1.3294 ins A2008-25 amdt 1.14 Notes s 2A ins A2008-25 amdt 1.15 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc s 2B ins A2008-25 amdt 1.15 Meaning of possession—Act s 3 sub A2008-25 s 71 am A2013-44 amdt 3.116; A2025-29 amdt 3.233 Evidence of possession—prohibited weapons or articles at premises s 3A ins A2008-25 s 71 Evidence of possession—care, control or management of prohibited weapon or article s 3B ins A2008-25 s 71 Application of Act s 4 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3295, amdt 1.3296; A2006-23 amdts 1.272-1.275; A2009-19 s 60; pars renum R9 LA; A2010-13 amdt 1.27; A2020-19 s 10; A2025-29 amdt 3.233 Important concepts pt 1A hdg ins A2008-25 s 72 Meaning of prohibited weapon—Act s 4A ins A2008-25 s 72 Meaning of prohibited article—Act s 4B ins A2008-25 s 72 Unregulated weapons pt 1B hdg ins A2008-25 s 73 Meaning of unregulated weapon—Act s 4C ins A2008-25 s 73 Meaning of connected—pt 1B s 4CA ins A2008-25 s 73 Unregulated weapons—seizure by police s 4D ins A2008-25 s 73 Unregulated weapons—receipt for seizure s 4E ins A2008-25 s 73 Endnotes Amendment history 4 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 41 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Unregulated weapons—examination s 4F ins A2008-25 s 73 Unregulated weapons—access to things seized s 4G ins A2008-25 s 73 Unregulated weapons—review of decision to seize s 4H ins A2008-25 s 73 Unregulated weapons—forfeiture s 4I ins A2008-25 s 73 am A2011-22 amdt 1.356 Minister’s guidelines pt 1C hdg ins A2008-25 s 73 Minister’s guidelines s 4K ins A2008-25 s 73 am A2025-29 amdt 4.137 Declarations about prohibited articles and weapons pt 1D hdg ins A2008-25 s 73 Prohibited articles and weapons declarations by registrar s 4L ins A2008-25 s 73 am A2009-20 amdt 3.165, amdt 3.166; A2015-33 amdt 1.190; A2018-1 s 28; A2025-29 amdt 4.137 Effect of certain declarations s 4M ins A2008-25 s 73 Offences pt 2 hdg sub A2008-25 s 74 Offence—unauthorised possession or use of prohibited weapons s 5 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3297 sub A2008-25 s 75 Offence—unauthorised possession or use of prohibited articles s 6 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3298 sub A2008-25 s 75 Declarations about authorised possession and use of laser pointers s 6A ins A2008-25 s 76 am A2025-29 amdt 4.137 Guidelines for declarations under section 6A s 6B ins A2008-25 s 76 am A2025-29 amdt 4.137 Inspection of prohibited weapons or articles by police s 7 am A2013-44 amdt 3.117 Endnotes 4 Amendment history page 42 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Offence—disposal of prohibited weapons and articles by unauthorised holders s 8 sub A2008-25 s 77 Permits s 9 am A2018-1 s 29 Applications—false or misleading particulars s 10 om A2004-15 amdt 2.148 Contravention of conditions s 11 am A2013-44 amdt 3.118 Production of permit s 12 am A2013-44 amdt 3.118; A2025-29 amdt 3.233 Surrender of cancelled permit s 13 am A2013-44 amdt 3.118 Notification and review of decisions pt 3A hdg ins A2008-36 amdt 1.571 Meaning of reviewable decision—pt 3A s 14 sub A2008-36 amdt 1.571 Reviewable decision notices s 14A ins A2008-36 amdt 1.571 am A2025-29 amdt 4.137 Applications for review s 14B ins A2008-36 amdt 1.571 am A2025-29 amdt 4.137 Information to be supplied s 15 am A2013-44 amdt 3.118 Disposal of surrendered or seized prohibited weapons or prohibited articles s 16 am A2013-44 amdt 3.119 Evidentiary provisions s 17 sub A2008-25 s 78 am A2015-3 s 39; A2016-37 amdt 1.34 Determination of fees s 17A ins A2008-25 s 78 am A2025-29 amdt 4.137 Approved forms s 18 sub A2001-44 amdt 1.3299 (4)-(7) exp 12 September 2002 (s 18 (7)) am A2008-25 s 79; A2013-44 amdt 3.120; A2025-29 amdt 4.137 Endnotes Amendment history 4 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 43 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Regulation-making power s 19 ins A2001-44 amdt 1.3299 am A2025-29 amdt 4.137 Transitional pt 5 hdg ins A2008-25 s 80 exp 15 July 2010 (s 54) Definitions—pt 5 s 50 ins A2008-25 s 80 exp 15 July 2010 (s 54) def commencement day ins A2008-25 s 80 exp 15 July 2010 (s 54) def dispose ins A2008-25 s 80 exp 15 July 2010 (s 54) def pre-commencement day ins A2008-25 s 80 exp 15 July 2010 (s 54) Pre-commencement Act—permitted weapons and articles generally s 51 ins A2008-25 s 80 exp 15 July 2010 (s 54) Pre-commencement Act—permitted weapons and articles—late application for permit s 52 ins A2008-25 s 80 exp 15 July 2010 (s 54) Transitional regulations s 53 ins A2008-25 s 80 exp 15 July 2010 (s 54) Expiry—pt 5 s 54 ins A2008-25 s 80 exp 15 July 2010 (s 54) COVID-19 emergency response pt 6 hdg ins A2020-11 amdt 1.63 exp 29 December 2022 (s 55 (6)) Declaration—COVID-19 emergency response s 55 ins A2020-11 amdt 1.63 am A2020-14 amdt 1.115, amdt 1.116 exp 29 December 2022 (s 55 (6)) Expiry—pt 6 s 56 ins A2020-11 amdt 1.63 om A2020-14 amdt 1.117 Endnotes 4 Amendment history page 44 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Prohibited weapons sch 1 hdg (prev sch hdg) am SL1997-12 reg 15 renum R1 LA sch 1 am A2008-25 s 81 sub A2008-25 s 82 am A2018-1 s 30; A2025-29 amdt 4.137 Prohibited articles sch 2 ins A2008-25 s 82 am A2018-1 ss 31-33; items renum R17 LA; A2025-29 amdt 4.137 Note for sch 2 sch 2 also ins A2008-36 amdt 1.572 renum as sch 3 R7 LA Reviewable decisions sch 3 (prev sch 2) ins A2008-36 amdt 1.572 renum as sch 3 R7 LA Dictionary dict ins A2008-25 amdt 1.16 am A2008-36 amdt 1.573, amdt 1.574; A2011-22 amdt 1.357; A2013-44 amdt 3.121 def anti-ballistic ins A2018-1 s 34 def anti-fragmentation ins A2018-1 s 34 def body armour ins A2018-1 s 34 def connected ins A2008-25 amdt 1.16 def dispose ins A2008-25 amdt 1.16 def firearm ins A2008-25 amdt 1.16 def permit ins A2008-25 amdt 1.16 def possession ins A2008-25 amdt 1.16 def premises ins A2008-25 amdt 1.16 def prohibited article ins A2008-25 amdt 1.16 def prohibited weapon ins A2008-25 amdt 1.16 def registrar ins A2008-25 amdt 1.16 def reviewable decision ins A2008-36 amdt 1.575 def suppressor ins A2018-1 s 34 def unregulated weapon ins A2008-25 amdt 1.16 Endnotes Earlier republications 5 R23 26/11/25 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 page 45 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au 5 Earlier republications Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to the publication order. Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an authorised republication are identical. Republication No and date Effective Last amendment made by Republication for R0A 30 July 2003 22 May 1997– 11 Sept 2001 SL1997-12 amendments by SL1997-12 R1 18 Feb 2002 12 Sept 2001– 12 Sept 2002 A2001-44 amendments by A2001-44 R2 13 Sept 2002 13 Sept 2002– 8 Apr 2004 A2001-44 commenced expiry R3 9 Apr 2004 9 Apr 2004– 1 June 2006 A2004-15 amendments by A2004-15 R4 2 June 2006 2 June 2006– 15 July 2008 A2006-23 amendments by A2006-23 R5 16 July 2008 16 July 2008– 14 Jan 2009 A2008-25 amendments by A2008-25 R6 15 Jan 2009 15 Jan 2009– 14 July 2009 A2008-36 amendments by A2008-25 R7 15 July 2009 15 July 2009– 21 Sept 2009 A2008-36 amendments by A2008-25 and A2008-36 R8 22 Sept 2009 22 Sept 2009– 28 Sept 2009 A2009-20 amendments by A2009-20 R9 29 Sept 2009 29 Sept 2009– 27 Apr 2010 A2009-20 amendments by A2009-19 R10 28 Apr 2010 28 Apr 2010– 15 July 2010 A2010-13 amendments by A2010-13 R11 16 July 2010 16 July 2010– 30 June 2011 A2010-13 commenced expiry Endnotes 5 Earlier republications page 46 Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 Effective: 26/11/25 R23 26/11/25 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au Republication No and date Effective Last amendment made by Republication for R12 1 July 2011 1 July 2011– 24 Nov 2013 A2011-22 amendments by A2011-22 R13 25 Nov 2013 25 Nov 2013– 2 Mar 2015 A2013-44 amendments by A2013-44 R14 3 Mar 2015 3 Mar 2015– 13 Oct 2015 A2015-3 amendments by A2015-3 R15 14 Oct 2015 14 Oct 2015– 28 June 2016 A2015-33 amendments by A2015-33 R16 29 June 2016 29 June 2016– 28 Feb 2018 A2016-37 amendments by A2016-37 R17 1 Mar 2018 1 Mar 2018– 27 Mar 2018 A2018-1 amendments by A2018-1 R18 28 Mar 2018 28 Mar 2018– 7 Apr 2020 A2018-1 amendments by A2018-1 R19 8 Apr 2020 8 Apr 2020– 13 May 2020 A2020-11 amendments by A2020-11 R20 14 May 2020 14 May 2020– 27 May 2020 A2020-14 amendments by A2020-14 R21 28 May 2020 28 May 2020– 29 Dec 2022 A2020-19 amendments by A2020-19 R22 30 Dec 2022 30 Dec 2022– 25 Nov 2025 A2020-19 expiry of provisions (pt 6) © Australian Capital Territory 2025