34. Offensive weapons

Abstract

Legislation regulating the possession and use of offensive weapons is of major importance in the prevention of harm and there are a number of offences, some of which have existed for many years, which criminalize the unlawful possession of offensive weapons. This chapter discusses these offences. Although they may seem straightforward, such offences have generated a significant volume of case law. Whether an article is ‘made for’ causing injury requires the jury to consider whether it is of a kind which is, generally speaking, made for such use. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 has also extended the nature of these offences.