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I had the situation in the past when I had a plastic kubotan key ring at the security checks at the airport in the UK, so one of the officer called the police and it was confiscated and I've received the warning. But it could end up with the worst case scenario.

Therefore in which countries it is illegal to carry/have a kubotan at customs for self-defense? Or where I can check where it's illegal to avoid similar situations in the future?

E.g. UK laws says:

But mine did not contain any spikes.

Kubotan

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  • I would believe everybody will consider it as being used as arms and will confiscate it. Generally all arms are prohibited in cabin baggage. And I believe all knifes larger than 6cms are prohibited in cabin baggage. Might go through in checked baggage, but it is a big if.
    – DumbCoder
    Aug 26, 2014 at 13:05
  • Somebody said e.g.: Actually the policeman is wrong it is legal to carry a kubotan as long as its on a key chain., or Kubatons are legal to carry., source: Re: Kubotan law in UK. It's true?
    – kenorb
    Aug 26, 2014 at 13:10
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    THere is difference between carrying inside the UK and carrying it on a plane with you. Sikhs in UK are allowed to carry their kirpans inside UK, but they aren't allowed on planes. travel.stackexchange.com/questions/33884/…
    – DumbCoder
    Aug 26, 2014 at 13:16
  • I think this is too broad, asking for a list of countries. I suggest focusing on one (or maybe a small list) of countries you actually plan to visit.
    – Flimzy
    Aug 26, 2014 at 13:22
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    Were you trying to enter the UK (i.e. customs) or to board a plane?
    – Relaxed
    Aug 26, 2014 at 14:03

1 Answer 1

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All kinds of weapons, small or big, cold or fire, whether used for self defense or mass destruction are strictly prohibited onboard all flights, all airlines, in all countries and airports.

If you managed to get it onboard a flight, then it must be due to improper security check at the gate, not because they allow it. From the TSA's page on prohibited items onboard:

Item -------- Carry-on? ---------- Checked?
Kubatons -------NO ----------------- OK

And from the European Commission on the same subject:

c. objects with a sharp point or sharp edge (objects with a sharp point or sharp edge capable of being used to cause serious injury)...
e. e. blunt instruments (objects capable of being used to cause serious injury when used to hit)...

Also, another interesting note in the official UK page

Airport security staff won’t let anything through that they consider dangerous - even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage.

And in another official UK page:

You can't take any objects in your hand baggage that could cause injury to yourself and other passengers. You may be able to take some of these items in your hold baggage (the luggage you check in) instead.

Just open any official hand luggage restriction page, and you will find the same thing. In short, any object, whether it is called a weapon or not, that can be used to attack people and cause harm to others is prohibited once it is spotted. To be in the safe side and to avoid confiscation or even worse actions, put it in the checked in luggage.

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  • I start writing the answer before you change the question to cover EU only, so I am keeping other quotes from other countries. Aug 26, 2014 at 13:31
  • Sure, the info for other countries would be useful as well.
    – kenorb
    Aug 26, 2014 at 13:37

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