The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2026
- Department: Home Office
- Made under: Criminal Justice Act 1988
Revised the technical measurement criteria for prohibited ninja swords to correct a defect in previous legislation.
This Order modifies the technical specifications used to define a prohibited 'ninja sword' under the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
It directs that the secondary straight cutting edge of such a weapon must now be no more than 105% of the blade's width immediately after the handle, while removing the phrase 'or shorter' from the previous definition.
The legislation applies to law enforcement agencies and any persons in England and Wales involved in the possession, sale, or manufacture of offensive weapons.
Arguments For
The order states that the amendment is necessary to correct a defect in a previous instrument (S.I. 2025/681).
Proponents argue the change is a minor technical correction required to align the legal description of a 'ninja sword' with intended government policy.
The included Impact Assessment data claims the revision does not alter the underlying economic or social impacts already evaluated in the original 2025 assessment.
Arguments Against
Legal scholars might question the clarity of technical measurements like "105% longer than the width of the blade," which could lead to enforcement challenges depending on how precisely a blade is measured.
Affected parties, such as collectors or specialist retailers, may have concerns regarding the rapid commencement of the order, which takes effect only one day after being made.
Citation, commencement and extent
- -(1) This Order may be cited as the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2026.
- (2) This Order comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made.
- (3) This Order extends to England and Wales.
This section establishes the official name of the legislation and sets its geographic jurisdiction to England and Wales.
It mandates that the new rules take effect on July 16, 2026, which is the day following the date the order was signed.
Amendment of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988
- -(1) The Schedule to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988 (descriptions of weapons to which section 141 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 applies) is amended as follows.
- (2) In paragraph 1B(3)(b)(ii) (secondary straight cutting edge)-
- (a) for '5%' substitute '105%';
- (b) omit 'or shorter'.
This section updates the legal description of prohibited weapons, specifically those categorized as 'ninja swords'.
It increases the allowable ratio for a secondary straight cutting edge from 5% to 105% of the blade's width and removes the term 'or shorter' to refine the technical boundary for which weapons are banned.
This change applies to any individual or entity subject to the offensive weapons restrictions in England and Wales.
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