Blunt swords and the German Weapons Act

April 10, 2018

Are blunt swords or decorative swords subject to the Weapons Act?

Firstly, we would like to address the question of whether blunt samurai swords must be considered weapons under the German Weapons Act (WaffG).

Let's take a look at the law. The first paragraph, section 2a, defines what is considered a weapon under this law.

§ Section 1 Subject matter and purpose of the Act, definitions
(1) This Act regulates the handling of weapons or ammunition, taking into account the interests of public safety and order.
(2) Weapons are 1. firearms or equivalent objects and 2. portable objects,
a) which by their nature are intended to eliminate or reduce the ability of people to attack or defend themselves, in particular blunt weapons;
b) which, without being intended for this purpose, are suitable, in particular due to their nature, handling or mode of action, for eliminating or reducing the ability of humans to attack or defend themselves, and which are specified in this Act.

As this paragraph is worded quite generally, blunt samurai swords would also be classified as weapons, as they could be used to "eliminate or reduce the ability of people to attack or defend themselves". Fortunately, this paragraph was later clarified by Annex I-A1-UA2-1.1 of the General Administrative Regulation on the Weapons Act (WaffVwV) of 22 March 2012. It states the exact wording:

Cutting and thrusting weapons are not considered to be implements which, although modelled on cutting and thrusting weapons (§ 1 Para. 2 No. 2 letter a in conjunction with Annex 1 Section 1 Subsection 2 No. 1.1), are obviously only intended for sporting purposes (e.g. sporting florettes, sporting epees, but not sharpened men's clubs). e.g. sporting florettes, sporting epees, but not sharpened scimitars), for the preservation of customs (e.g. historically reproduced epees, lances) or as decorative objects (e.g. ornamental epees, decorative swords).

Conclusion

In our opinion, completely blunt samurai swords are therefore not to be classified as slashing and thrusting weapons if their tip is and cutting edge are blunt.

A few explanatory words at the end:
Please note that this is in no way legal advice, a recommendation for action or similar!

Read more: Would you like to find out whether blunt samurai swords can be carried in public? Then we recommend this article.