34. Offensive weapons (additional chapter)

Legislation regulating the possession and use of firearms and offensive weapons is of major importance in the prevention of offences against the person and there are a number of offences, some of which have existed for many years, which criminalize the unlawful possession of offensive weapons. This chapter discusses these offences. Although they may seem straightforward, these offences have generated a significant volume of case law. Whether an articles is ‘made for’ causing injury requires the jury to consider whether it is of a kind which is, generally speaking, made for such use.