No, butterfly knives (balisongs) are prohibited in the United Kingdom under the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 and the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The law classifies them as “flick knives” or “gravity knives,” banning their sale, import, and possession in public without lawful authority. Recent 2026 Home Office guidance tightens enforcement, targeting online marketplaces and second-hand sales.
Key Regulations for Butterfly Knives (Balisongs) in United Kingdom
- Prohibition under Offensive Weapons Act 2019: Balisongs are classified as “flick knives” or “gravity knives,” making their sale, import, or possession in public illegal. The Act expanded the definition to include any knife that opens via a “mechanical opening action” or “assisted opening mechanism.”
- Criminal Justice Act 1988 enforcement: Section 141 explicitly bans the possession of such knives in public, with penalties including unlimited fines and up to 4 years imprisonment. Police forces, including the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police, conduct targeted operations to seize prohibited items.
- 2026 Home Office compliance shifts: The Home Office has mandated local authorities to audit online marketplaces (e.g., eBay, Facebook Marketplace) for listings of prohibited knives. Businesses failing to comply face fines up to £20,000 under the Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) Regulations 2023.