No, nunchucks are classified as prohibited weapons under Saudi Arabia’s Law of Weapons and Ammunition (Royal Decree No. M/11/2019), enforced by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) and the Ministry of Interior. Their import, possession, or use risks confiscation, fines up to SAR 50,000, or imprisonment under Article 12, which bans “tools designed for combat or self-defense without authorization.” Exceptions for historical or cultural artifacts require prior approval from the GDNC’s Heritage Protection Unit, a process stringent since 2023’s National Security Strategy expanded GDNC oversight.
Key Regulations for Nunchucks in Saudi Arabia
- Prohibition Status: Nunchucks fall under Category 3 weapons, explicitly banned for civilian ownership per Executive Regulations of the Law of Weapons and Ammunition (2020), which lists them alongside brass knuckles and throwing stars.
- Enforcement Agencies: The GDNC and local police conduct random inspections, particularly in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, where smuggling via maritime routes (e.g., Red Sea ports) has surged, per 2024 GDNC reports.
- Cultural Exemptions: Only licensed museums or approved historical societies may possess nunchucks, subject to GDNC’s Cultural Heritage Protection Guidelines (2022), which mandate secure storage and annual audits.