No, throwing stars (shuriken) are classified as prohibited weapons under New Mexico Statutes § 30-7-2.2, rendering their possession, sale, or use unlawful unless exempted for historical or ceremonial purposes. Local ordinances in Albuquerque and Santa Fe reinforce these restrictions, with recent 2026 legislative proposals targeting enhanced penalties for concealed carry of such weapons.
Key Regulations for Throwing Stars (Shuriken) in New Mexico
- Prohibited Weapon Status: Shuriken are explicitly listed under § 30-7-2.2 as “any weapon or device capable of injuring a person by projecting a sharp-edged blade,” with no legal recreational or self-defense exception.
- Local Enforcement Variations: Municipalities like Albuquerque (via Police Department Directive 2024-12) and Santa Fe (City Code § 6-16) impose additional scrutiny, including mandatory reporting for found shuriken in public spaces.
- Exemption Narrowness: The sole legal pathway involves proof of historical reenactment or martial arts affiliation, requiring notarized documentation submitted to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety for approval—a process tightened in 2026’s HB 45 amendments.
Violations escalate to fourth-degree felonies for possession with intent to harm, per § 30-7-3, with mandatory minimum sentences under recent judicial guidelines. Antique dealers and collectors must register shuriken as “curios or relics” with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, though this does not override state prohibitions.