How To
Is it Legal to Buy or Own a Spear?
Mar
Is it actually legal to buy or own a spear in today’s world? In this guide, we’ll discuss the legalities of spears in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia. At The Survival Island, we sell and ship spears legally all around the world and make the process easy. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
The sword may be the most iconic of ancient human weapons, but the spear has arguably had a much bigger impact on the development of humanity. Spears were invented by disparate human tribes all over the world, with some of the earliest spears dating back 400,000 years.
While swords were more of a status symbol, the spear was typically the dominant weapon on ancient battlefields. Today, interest in the spear is undergoing somewhat of a renaissance, commonly used for display purposes, martial arts training, traditional hunting, and even self-defence. Read on to learn how you can buy spears online legally in your country.
Is it Legal to Own a Spear in Australia?
In Australia, you must obtain permission in order to import controlled weapons such as spears into the country. In most cases, only law enforcement and military personnel are granted permission. If such a designation applies to you, you’ll need to get a police certification test before importing. You can obtain a B709B form from your state’s police weapons registry, and you must give this completed and signed form to the Australian Border Force.
It is also illegal to carry spears in public in Australia. If you’re caught with a spear or any other controlled weapon, you can receive a prison sentence of up to 14 years. In fact, many types of knives that can be used for offensive or self-defence purposes are illegal to carry, including flick knives, butterfly knives, machetes, swords, and spears.
In many Australian jurisdictions, it is illegal to sell a knife of any kind to a person under the age of 18 years. It’s also illegal to give minors a knife or spear as a gift.
Moreover, in all states, it’s illegal to buy, sell or own any knife or spear made from prohibited materials like ceramic and plastic. It’s also illegal to own any blade that has been modified to be used as a weapon. Generally speaking, it’s illegal to own or buy any blade that’s purposed for self-defence, which includes spears.
Is it Legal to Own a Spear in Canada?
There are no federal laws that prohibit the ownership of spears in Canada. As it is not classified as a prohibited weapon, you generally won’t have legal issues in owning a spear for display purposes. However, certain states and territories do impose regulations on the use of spears, particularly when it comes to spearfishing.
At the federal level, the Fisheries Act establishes a few basic rules regarding spearfishing. For example, it is illegal to use explosive charges and gases as propellants in most waters. But provincial authorities often impose additional regulations to protect local ecosystems.
For example, spearfishing for species such as white sucker and carp is legal in Ontario. However, it is illegal to be within 30 metres of a body of water with a spear unless you are actively engaged in spearfishing. Similar rules apply in British Columbia, where species such as salmon are off limits.
Before you purchase or use a spear in Canada, you should check the regulations with the provincial authorities.
Is it Legal to Own a Spear in the US?
While there are no federal laws that prohibit the purchase or ownership of spears in the US, some states impose regulations on their use. In most states, you are free to use and practice with your spear on your own property, but you cannot throw it across the boundaries of your property.
While virtually no state has made spear ownership illegal, many states have made it illegal to carry them in public. For example, spears are legal to own in California, but you might land yourself in trouble with the law for carrying it in public if it breaks the California Penal Code 16590. Similarly, in New York, carrying a spear without a legal reason might put you at risk of breaking the New York Penal Law 265.01.
Texas, known for its lenient laws on weapon ownership, has virtually no regulations on the use, purchase or ownership of spears. Florida is similar, though carrying a spear in public may be restricted under the state’s knife and weapon laws.
Importing spears into the US is rarely a problem – you can even find them for sale on Amazon, though you’ll find much higher quality options in our collection. Always double check your local laws before purchasing.
Is it Legal to Own a Spear in the UK?
In the UK, it is generally legal to own a spear and use it for certain purposes, such as for display or as part of a costume. However, it is illegal to carry a spear, or any other blade for that matter, without a lawful reason.
Spearfishing is not illegal in most areas of the UK, though it is generally illegal to hunt game with spears. Additionally, importing, purchasing, or selling any blade that is considered an offensive weapon is illegal. You can find a list of prohibited weapons on the UK government website.
We should note that just about any weapon or blade that is older than 100 years old is usually exempt from the UK’s import laws. Also, exemptions are often made for weapons made using traditional methods.
Browse Our Premium Range of Spears
Here at The Survival Island, we’re a team of highly experienced survival and wilderness experts that scours the far corners of the globe for the best weapons, survival gear, and self-defence products on the market.
Our comprehensive range of swords and spears includes antiques and collector’s items from Japan, China and Europe. We also have an array of fantasy swords, daggers, training blades, pole weapons, axes and throwing tomahawks.
Whether you’re a collector, martial artist or member of an elite military training unit, you’ll find the best spears at the best-value prices here at The Survival Island. If you need any product recommendations or advice on the laws on spear ownership in your area, don’t hesitate to give our experts a call.