Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959

1959 CHAPTER 37 7 and 8 Eliz 2

An Act to amend the law in relation to the making and disposing and importation of flick knives and other dangerous weapons.

[14th May 1959]

1 Penalties for offences in connection with dangerous weapons. E+W+S

(1) Any person who manufactures, sells or hires or offers for sale or hire, [F1 or exposes or has in his possession for the purpose of sale or hire] or lends or gives to any other person—

(a) any knife which has a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife, sometimes known as a “flick knife” or “flick gun”; or

(b) any knife which has a blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force and which, when released, is locked in place by means of a button, spring, lever, or other device, sometimes known as a “gravity knife”,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction [F2 to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale or to both such imprisonment and fine].

(2) The importation of any such knife as is described in the foregoing subsection is hereby prohibited.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words inserted by Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1961 (c. 22), s. 1

F2 Words substituted (S.) by virtue of Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289E–289G; and (E.W.) by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 35, 37, 38, 46

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 1 amended so that the maximum fine that may be imposed for an offence shall be a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 46(2)(3) (with Sch. 8 para. 16)

C2 S. 1(2) extended to Northern Ireland by Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1961 (c. 22), s. 2

2 Short title, commencement and extent. E+W+S

(1) This Act may be cited as the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959.

(2) This Act shall come into operation at the expiration of the period of one month beginning with the day on which it is passed.

(3) This Act shall not extend to Northern Ireland.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 2(3) excluded by Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1961 (c. 22), s. 2