Disguised or hidden blades (Credit Card Knives) banned in ACT

ACT Policing is alerting the community to recent legislation changes that added several items to those already banned under the Prohibited Weapons Act 1996.

While most of the newly-banned items are specialised firearms and accessories, also on the list were articles or things that contain a disguised or hidden blade or spike, often referred to as Credit Card Knives. Possession of these items will be banned from Wednesday March 28, 2018.

Many such items are already in the community, and owners of these items should ensure the items are safely destroyed or disposed of by that date.

Detective Superintendent Mick Calatzis from ACT Policing said the banning of these weapons is a positive step and police will not hesitate to enforce the ban once it comes into effect.

“Community safety is of the utmost importance, and devices with hidden blades are inherently very dangerous, due to their nature as concealed weapons.”

“These items have been on sale legally in many places for quite some time, and may have been brought into the country as souvenirs, they are still dangerous, and will be illegal from March 28.”

“If you have one of these credit card knives or a similar weapon, you should  destroy it or dispose of it safely. If you want to keep the item, you can do so after removing the blade. It is not necessary to surrender the item at a police station,” Detective Superintendent Calatzis said.

The maximum penalty for the unauthorised possession or use of a prohibited weapon, such as a credit card knife, is 500 penalty units ($75,000), imprisonment for 5 years, or both.

If you have an item that contains a concealed blade or spike and wish to speak to police or to make a report about a banned item, call 131 444 or attend any police station. More information is available online from the Prohibited Weapons section of the ACT Policing website.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 6264 9460, act-police-media@afp.gov.au