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Nunchucks Legality by State 2023

Nunchucks Legality by State 2023

Nunchucks, also known as nunchaku, are traditional martial arts weapons consisting of two sticks connected by a chain or rope. They have gained popularity in mainstream culture through their use in movies, television shows, and the martial arts community. However, the legality of nunchucks varies widely across the United States, with some states imposing strict regulations on their possession and use.

In recent years, some states have loosened restrictions on nunchucks due to challenges on constitutional grounds. For instance, in December 2018, a federal judge in New York ruled that the state's ban on nunchucks was unconstitutional, violating the Second Amendment. Following this decision, New York lifted its long-standing ban on the weapon. Similarly, Arizona repealed its ban on nunchucks in 2019, California overturned its ban in 2021, and Texas lifted its ban in 2017.

Despite these recent changes, some states still maintain strict regulations on nunchucks. Massachusetts is the only state that still has a ban on the personal use of nunchucks. The state has regulations that classify nunchucks as "dangerous weapons," which can result in criminal charges for those found carrying them without proper authorization. Nunchucks can be used for martial arts, however.

On the other hand, many states in the U.S. have no specific laws regulating nunchucks, and their legality is determined by broader statutes governing weapons. In these states, possession and use of nunchucks are generally legal, though restrictions may still apply in certain situations, such as carrying them on school grounds or in government buildings. States with no specific nunchuck laws include Florida, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

Nunchucks Legality by State 2023

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State
Nunchuck Legality
Notes
AlabamaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
AlaskaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
ArizonaLegalBan overturned in 2019, now widely legal
ArkansasLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
CaliforniaLegalBan overturned in 2021, now widely legal
ColoradoLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
ConnecticutLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
DelawareLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
FloridaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
GeorgiaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
HawaiiLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
IdahoLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
IllinoisLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
IndianaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
IowaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
KansasLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
KentuckyLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
LouisianaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
MaineLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
MarylandLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
MassachusettsBanPersonal usage banned. It can be used for martial arts training in some circumstances.
MichiganLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
MinnesotaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
MississippiLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
MissouriLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
MontanaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
NebraskaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
NevadaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
New HampshireLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
New JerseyLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
New MexicoLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
New YorkLegalBan overturned in 2018, now widely legal
North CarolinaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
North DakotaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
OhioLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
OklahomaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
OregonLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
PennsylvaniaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
Rhode IslandLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
South CarolinaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
South DakotaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
TennesseeLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
TexasLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
UtahLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
VermontLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
VirginiaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
WashingtonLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
West VirginiaLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
WisconsinLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
WyomingLegalLegal for self-defense or martial arts use
showing: 50 rows

Nunchucks Legality by State 2023

Sources