Control of Weapons

CONTROL OF WEAPONS IN VICTORIA
(Control of Weapons Act 2000 and Regulations 2004-2010)
 
TAI CHI/WUSHU SWORDS - CLASS EXEMPTION
 
A striking or cutting weapon with a long blade having 1 or 2 cutting edges and a hilt,
 
The definition applies inter alia to a Tai Chi or Wushu straight sword or broadsword (sabre) only and it
will be in that context it will be used here.
 
SWORDS ARE PROHIBITED WEAPONS IN VICTORIA
 
The class or general exemption applies to WTPA members 18 years and over to the following extent:
 
Subject to:

Bringing a sword into Victoria, causing a sword to be brought or sent into Victoria, selling or
purchasing a sword, displaying or advertising a sword for sale, possessing using or carrying a
sword for the purposes of studying and participating in Wushu and Tai Chi.
 
When not used for participating in Tai Chi or Wushu, swords must be stored safely and securely                                                                                  
and any person relying on the above exemption must permit a member of the police force to
inspect the storage arrangements at any reasonable time.
 
"stored safely and securely" means stored in a manner calculated to ensure that the sword:
(i) is not readily accessible to others
(ii) not available for possession carriage or use by others
(iii) when being transported it is stored so as to be not readily accessible to
others and is concealed from plain sight
"participating" includes receiving instruction in, practising, training, teaching or competing in                                                     
the sport.
In summary store under lock and key, transport out of sight and securely.

PLEASE NOTE:  Persons under the age of 18 are NOT covered by the WTPA class exemption.

Prohibited Persons under the act are specifically excluded from the exemption.  Prohibited persons are
defined under the Firearms Act 1996 (see separate definition).sword is a thrusting,  
 
The exemption does NOT apply to other prohibited weapons such as nunchaku and 7 star whip etc.
 
It is strongly recommended that Wushu/Tai Chi schools which are organisation members provide
their sword students with a copy of the requirements and a document (membership card or receipt
with an expiry date) stating that the school is a full organisation member of WTPA, and that current
students are associate (non-voting members). The document should show an expiry date for such
membership. For example the student could be paid up for say 1 term or a year.
The copy of requirements and membership document should be carried at all times the sword is
carried.

EXAMPLE Class Exemption Form
Remember if the school, or individual member has not paid the WTPA membership fee (or the
student is not an individual member and leaves the school) there is no class exemption and a
licence to possess the sword is required.  If you are carrying the sword for any purpose other than
the practise of Tai Chi or Wushu there is no exemption.

If you feel that you are unable to comply with storage or carriage requirements then do not possess or carry a
sword as it could result in confiscation and the possibility of penalties now, under Control of Weapons
Amendment (Penalties) Act 2007, of up to $28,668 fine or two years imprisonment (Penalties are
doubled if found with a sword around a licensed premises). Careless or irresponsible behaviour could
result in the removal of the class exemption for all members.

The above notes do not purport to be professional legal advice. If you have any doubts as to requirements
consult the original legislation, which may be accessed through the
http://www.justice.vic.gov.au or Victorian
Legislation and Parliamentary Documents Website.