Belgium
Starting from 18 years the possession is permitted.
The carrying of knives etc. is not permitted in public areas.
Which restrictions are there about carrying knifes, martial arts equipment, weapons?
Bulgaria
Il n’existe par de disposition légale concernant le port de couteaux, outils d’arts martiaux ou autres armes. Cependant, le port d’armes public est interdit. Seuls des personnes chargées officiellement de la protection des personnes sont exclues de cette interdiction. L’établissement d’un permis pour l’achat, la détention et l’emploi d’explosifs, d’armes et de munitions dépend de l’état physique et psychique de cette personne, du fait qu’elle soit enregistrée comme entrepreneur indépendant et si elle est déjà majeure.
Denmark
Knives and other sharp and sharp-pointed weapons
According to art. 4, subsection 1 of the Weapons and Explosives Act it is prohibited to carry or be in possession of knives or daggers in places with public access, places of education, in youth clubs, recreation centres, etc. However, knives and daggers can be carried and possessed in connection with the carrying-out of business activities, for use in hunting, angling or sporting activities or for a similarly credible purpose. The ban does not apply to clasp knives with a blade of 7 cm or less that cannot be locked in the extended position.
According to art. 14, subsection 1, paragraph 1-8 of the Government Order on Weapons and Ammunition etc. it is prohibited without a permit from the police to acquire, posses, carry or use sharp or sharp-pointed weapons if the blade is longer than 12 cm, knives with transverse grips intended for stabbing, flick knives, flick stilettos, gravity stilettos, single hand operated clasp knives designed to be unfolded using one hand only, clasp knives with two-piece grips with blades that can be unfolded using one hand only, knives designed to hang around the neck or shoulder that can be drawn using one hand only, throwing stars, throwing knives, as well as sword canes and other similar weapons appearing to be another object.
The ban does not cover kitchen knives etc. used for their legitimate purpose even when the blade is longer than 12 cm.
What age limits are there?
There is no age limit, but licences can only be granted if it is unobjectionable.
Firearms
According to art. 1, subsection 1, and art. 2, subsection 1 of the Weapons and Explosives Act, it is prohibited without a permit from the Ministry of Justice or – depending on the case – the police to import, manufacture, acquire, posses, carry or use firearms.
A firearms licence can only be granted to a person under the age of 18 if the person is a member of a rifle- or hunting club and is above the age of 16, or if the person has acquired a game licence. Furthermore, it is a condition that the parents of the minor have given their written consent and agreed on storing the firearm on behalf of the minor.
Germany
It is prohibited for a person under 18 years of age to handle a weapon or ammunition. Young people may handle with a weapon and ammunition within a practical training or an employment contract if they will be under the supervision of an authority responsible who is authorized to issue instructions.
Air weapons may be used under the supervision entertainment at folk festivals. (§ § 1, 3 and 27 Firearms Act). Weapons which are intended for the game and have only a small kinetic energy (less than 0.5 joules), are allowed.
Estonia
9. WeaponsAct
§ 18. Weapons and ammunition in unrestricted commerce
(1) The following are weapons and ammunition in unrestricted commerce:
1) gas spray;
2) pneumatic weapons of a calibre of up to 4.5 mm (inclusive);
3) hunting knives;
4) diving knives;
5) fencing weapons for sport (épée, espadon, foil, etc.);
6) cut-and-thrust weapons related to historical tradition in culture, martial arts or sports (sword, dagger, rapier, etc.) or copies thereof;
7) crossbows requiring a draw force of up to 75 kg (inclusive);
8) sporting bows requiring a draw force of up to 45 kg (inclusive);
9) underwater weapons.
(2) Bullets, shots and cartridge cases are cartridge components in unrestricted commerce.
(3) This Act applies to weapons and the ammunition therefor in unrestricted commerce only to the extent of subsections (4)–(8) of this section.
(4) Weapons and the ammunition therefor in unrestricted commerce shall not be acquired, owned, possessed, carried, stored or conveyed by persons under 18 years of age.
(5) Weapons specified in clauses (1) 2) and 4)–9) of this section may be possessed, carried, stored or conveyed by persons who engage in corresponding sports and have attained at least ten years of age.
Finland
It is not allowed to carry or possess weapons that could harm other people in public places (Public Order Act / Järjestyslaki 612/2003, § 10).
It is not allowed to hand over airguns, spring-controlled weapons or harpoon guns to minors without a consent of guardian (Public Order Act, § 11).
France
Minors over 16 years of age are allowed to possess a weapon of class 6 (thrusting, baton, bayonet, knuckle-duster, electrical equipment for defending) with parental content.
If there is no legitimate reason, it will be prohibit to wear and handle weapons for everyone.
Minors over 16 years of age need parental content and a specific permission to possess a weapon of class 5 (hunting weapon). Minors over 16 years of age need parental content and a permission of a licensed sport association to possess a weapon of class 7 (e.g. firearm, sporting arm, airgun above 10 joule power).
You will find the classification about weapons in decree nr. 98-589 of 6th May 1995 on application of decree of 18th April 1993 concerning provisions about military equipment, weapons and ammunition.
United Kingdom
It is a criminal offence to carry weapons such as knives and guns in the UK. It is also illegal to carry CS spray. Martial arts equipment (bow and arrow, épée etc.) for recreational use should be transported safely.
Greece
Minors are prohibeted to carry weapons or other items prvided by the of the 2168/1993 Act, art. 1. Exeptionally to the general prohibition, persons who have completed the 16 th year of age are permitted to carry fishing gun. Also, minors are permitted to be practiced on the shooting ranges and sport clubs.
2168/1993 Act, articles 1 and 10
Ireland
According to the firearms Act of 1925, as amended in 1964, it is prohibited to possess a firearms certificate for anyone under 18 years of age. Firearms are all lethal weapons, from which a shot, bullet or other projectiles can be fired (including air guns and crossbows). Carrying a knife is a criminal offense.
Italy
In accordance with Italian law, the following are viewed as weapons: firearms and all other weapons whose natural purpose is violent assault upon another person, as well as all instruments with the potential for causing injury, explosives, tear gas, poisonous gases, bombs and any device or container filled with explosive materials, poisonous gas or tear gas (see Articles 585 and 704 of the Criminal Code). In accordance with Royal Ordinance No. 773 of 18 June 1931 approving the unified text of the Public Safety Laws, Article 44, a weapon permit may not be issued to a minor still in the custody of his parents. However, prefects are authorized to issue weapon permits for long firearms, for hunting purposes only, to minors above the age of 16 who present the written consent of their parent or legal guardian and who furnish evidence that they are experienced in the handling of the weapon.
Croatia
A new Act on Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (Official Gazette No. 94/18) entered into force in Croatia in November 2018.
Pursuant to the Act on Acquisition and Possession of Weapons it is forbidden to give weapons for use of children, except in situations specifically prescribed by the Act (Article 35).
Latvia
A natural person who has reached 16 years of age has the right to acquire, possess and carry a gas spray intended for self-defence, as well as to acquire and utilise Class 1 and 2 pyrotechnic articles.
A natural person who has reached 18 years of age has the right to:
1) acquire, possess and transport non-firearm weapons, low energy pneumatic weapons and munitions thereof;
2) acquire, possess and carry gas pistols (revolvers), munitions thereof and electric shock devices; and
3) acquire and utilise Class 3 pyrotechnic articles.
A Latvian citizen, a non-citizen of Latvia, an alien, a stateless person and a refugee that has received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia (hereinafter – a person permanently residing in Latvia) and that has reached 18 years of age, if the certain restrictions ofLaw do not apply thereto, has the right to acquire or receive a weapon as a personal award, to possess and transport Category B, D and C long-barrelled smooth-bore hunting, sport and self-defence firearms, high-energy pneumatic weapons and munitions thereof, as well as to utilise such firearms in hunting, self-defence, practice shooting and shooting sports competitions.
A person permanently residing in Latvia who has reached 21 years of age and who has a hunting licence and not less than three years of experience as a hunter (if the certain restrictions ofLaw do not apply to such person) has the right to acquire or receive a weapon as a personal award, to possess and transport Category B and C long-barrelled rifled hunting firearms and munitions thereof and to utilise such weapons in hunting, practice shooting and shooting sports competitions.
A person permanently residing in Latvia who has reached 18 years of age and who has membership of a registered sports organisation of at least three years standing and at least the second sport class in shooting (if the certain restrictions ofLaw do not apply to such person) has the right to acquire or receive a weapon as a personal award, to possess and transport Category B and C long-barrelled – rifled sports firearms and munitions thereof, Category B short- barrelled firearms the calibre of which is not larger than 5.6 millimetres (22 LR) and the munitions thereof, and to utilise such weapons in practice shooting and shooting sports competitions.
A Latvian citizen, a citizen of a Member State of the European Union and a citizen of a state of the European Economic Area who have received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia, who has reached 21 years of age (if the certain restrictions ofLaw do not apply to such person) has the right to acquire or receive a weapon as a personal award, to possess and carry Category B semi-automatic, non-automatic and single shot short-barrelled firearms the calibre of which is not more than 9 millimetres, and munitions thereof, and to utilise such weapons in practice shooting and shooting sports competitions, as well as to use them for self-defence.
Lithuania
A person need a licence to possess a firearm. It is prohibited to possess a firearms certificate for anyone under 18 years of age.
Luxembourg
The Act of 15 March 1983 distinguishes between prohibited weapons and weapons which require a license. Prohibited weapons include, for example, cut and thrust weapons with double blades and knives with blades longer than 7 cm. Hunting and sporting weapons require a license. Minors may receive a special license from the Justice Minister for such weapons. Sporting equipment for shooting arrows are exempt from the Weapons Act and do not require a license.
Malta
The Arms Ordinance (Cap. 66) makes it illegal to sell or deliver any knife with a sharp/pointed blade or other cutting or pointed instruments to persons under the age of 18. In addition, the use of rifles and other firearms for hunting purposes requires a license from the police, which may not be issued to someone under the age of 18.
Netherlands
Schools are responsible for the safety of their pupils. In the Netherlands it is not allowed to carry weapons of any kind without a permit. A permit can only be issued to adults.
Austria
It is prohibited for minors under the age of 18 to possess or carry weapons, ammunition and firecracker cartridges. This also includes weapons for cutting and stabbing purposes (e.g. knives) and pepper sprays. With official permission, minors over the age of 16 can possess a sporting weapon.
Softair weapons and paintball markers are not considered weapons under the Weapons Act, but they are prohibited to be sold to minors under the age of 18.
Poland
The rules with respect to the issuance and revocation of gun licenses, the purchase, storage, sale and dumping of weapons and munitions, transit through the territory of the Republic of Poland, the import and export of weapons and munitions, the possession of weapons by foreigners and the operation of shooting galleries are defined in the Arms and Munitions Act of 21 May 1999 (Official Journal No. 53 Item 549, with subsequent changes).
Article 4 of the aforementioned Act includes definitions for weapons and munitions. Article 9 contains a provision which states that persons may only possess firearms and the relevant ammunition if they were previously issued a weapons license from the commander of the responsible police administrative district.
Article 15 Paragraph 1 Point 1 states that persons under the age of 21 may not receive a weapons license. Chapter 3 of this Act contains rules which govern the transit, import and export of weapons and munitions as well as the problem of the possession of weapons and munitions by foreigners. On application from a school, athletic organization, the Polish Hunters' League or a defense organization, a weapons license may be issued to a person who is less than 18 years of age. However, such a weapon may only be used for sporting or hunting purposes.
Portugal
The firearms law for adults also applies for young people. There are some restriction for carrying knives and folding knifes. Carrying fighting equipment is allowed as long as the use is justified by practicing a corresponding form of sport.
Romania
There is still no information
Sweden
The possession of weapons requires a special license and it is regulated in law (1996:67) on weapons. The possession of knives and similar weapons is regulated in law (1988:254). They are not allowed in public places and the age limit is 21 years (law 2000:148).
Slovakia
It is the criminal himself/herself or if someone else produced, imported, exported, transported, kept or provide a firearm, the part or component without permission or without marking weapons for its identification by an international treaty by which the Slovak Republic is bound, or a mediated activity.
Slovenia
Schools have special regulations which prohibit carrying weapons at school.
Spain
Spanish arms law is very restrictive. Minors can not possess or use them, although children over 16 may possess shotguns if they have previously applied for a license. These are small-calibre guns, and must have the authorization of parents or legal guardians. We could not find information about carrying knifes and martial arts equipment.
Czech Republic
Act about Firearms and Ammunition - zákon č. 119/2002 Sb., - Zákon o střelných zbraních a střelivu:
There is no legislation about carrying knifes and fire irons. The act defines different age limits for permission to possession on firearms (from 16, 18 and 21 years). It depends on arms model or weather it is a student of a forestry secondary school.
Hungary
You need a permit to possess a weapon. Persons under 18 years of age will not receive a permit.
Knifes from a blade length of 8 cm are thrustings. Possession of equipment which could endanger public safety (eg. Shuriken [short Japanese throwing weapons], rubber truncheon, etc.) are prohibited in public places, public transport and in places of amusement.
Cyprus
Carrying weapons is generelly forbidden.