Custody of knives in public places or schools
(1) A person must not have in the person’s custody a knife in a public place or a school. (2) It is a defence to an offence under subsection (1) if the accused person proves the person had a reasonable excuse. (3) A reasonable excuse includes the person having the knife in the person’s custody— (a) because it is reasonably necessary for— (i) the lawful pursuit of the person’s occupation, education or training, or (ii) the preparation or consumption of food or drink, or (iii) participation in a lawful entertainment, recreation or sport, or (iv) the exhibition of knives for retail or other trade purposes, or (v) an organised exhibition by knife collectors, or (vi) the wearing of an official uniform, or (vii) genuine religious purposes, or (b) because it is reasonably necessary during travel to or from or incidental to an activity referred to in paragraph (a), or (c) in circumstances prescribed by the regulations. (4) It is not a reasonable excuse for the person to have a knife in the person’s custody— (a) for self-defence, or (b) for the defence of another person.
Sourced from the New South Wales Legislation website at 8 June 2026. For the latest information on New South Wales Government legislation please go to https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.
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