No, throwing stars (shuriken) are classified as offensive weapons under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 and Offensive Weapons Act 2019, making their sale, purchase, or possession in public unlawful without lawful authority. The Home Office’s 2024 guidance explicitly lists them as prohibited items, aligning with the 2026 Offensive Weapons Act’s expanded restrictions on bladed and pointed articles. Police forces, including the Metropolitan Police’s Public Order Unit, actively enforce these provisions, particularly during searches for weapons in public spaces.
Key Regulations for Throwing Stars (Shuriken) in United Kingdom
- Prohibition under criminal law: The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 and 2026 amendments criminalize the possession of shuriken in public, with penalties including unlimited fines or up to 4 years imprisonment under Section 141 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
- Restricted sale and import: Trading shuriken is illegal unless licensed by the Home Office, as per the Firearms Act 1968 and Customs (Import of Offensive Weapons) Regulations 1995. Online marketplaces face liability for facilitating such sales under the 2024 Online Safety Act.
- Lawful exceptions: Museums, historical reenactment groups, or martial arts practitioners may possess shuriken under strict Home Office-approved licenses, subject to inspections by the National Crime Agency’s Heritage Crime Unit.