No, throwing stars (shuriken) are classified as “prohibited weapons” under North Carolina General Statutes § 14-269(a1), making their possession, sale, or use illegal without specific exemptions. Local law enforcement agencies, including the Raleigh Police Department’s Firearms Unit, actively enforce these restrictions, particularly in urban areas. Recent 2026 legislative proposals aim to further criminalize their transfer, aligning with national trends in weapons regulation.
Key Regulations for Throwing Stars (Shuriken) in North Carolina
- Prohibited Weapons Statute: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-269(a1) explicitly bans shuriken as “any weapon of like kind” to throwing knives or brass knuckles, punishable as a Class H felony.
- Local Enforcement Priorities: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Special Operations Division targets illegal possession during routine patrols, with mandatory reporting to the State Bureau of Investigation’s Firearms Tracking Unit.
- Exemption Scarcity: Only licensed collectors (per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-409.40) may possess shuriken, requiring proof of membership in a state-recognized martial arts or historical preservation organization.