Martial Arts, Legal Aspects In Spain

Martial Arts, Legal Aspects in Spain

In Spain, the number of people who practice or are interested in starting in martial arts is growing at every year. These types of disciplines are successful not only as a physical activity, but also as a method of personal defense and self-confidence.

But eventually, the practice of some martial arts can ‘collide’ with some legal aspects, mainly with respect to the possession of ‘white weapons’. Next, we will focus precisely on this topic to develop this new article.

Legal aspects of possession of weapons for martial arts in Spain

Although they are not included in all martial arts, study and gun training is a key aspect of some martial arts, such as Kobudo, Ninjutsu, some modalities of Karate or Kungfu. Therefore, doubts about the legality of arms possession for martial arts practice in Spain are very frequent.

In the first place, it is essential to have the possession and the fact of carrying weapons. To speak in practical terms, it is not the same to have a permission to have weapons in a gym for martial arts, than to bring these weapons with you through the streets or use them for self-defense.

Title XXII of Chapter V of the Spanish Civil Code specifically speaks about the possession, traffic and weapons deposit in the national territory.  One of its first and clearest determinations says that:

"The possession of prohibited weapons or illegally modified weapons is considered a crime that can lead to a prison sentence of one to three years".

However, the Civil Code ends up focusing too much on firearms. Therefore, we need to go to the regulation of weapons, which is published through Royal Decree 137/1993, to find a more accurate definition of what ‘white weapons’ are and what are the conditions for their legal possession in Spain for practiceof martial arts.

Conditions and limitations for the possession of ‘white weapons’ in Spain

Remember that ‘white weapons’ are understood as all those weapons that are fundamentally constituted of a metal sheet (or similar material) and that it has shear and/or pulsating action.

Most of the weapons used in martial arts would enter the fifth category of the third article of the aforementioned regulation. In turn, the arches would be understood in the seventh category.

A little later, in its fourth chapter, the weapons regulation speaks regarding the white weapons prohibited in Spain. And according to the definitions of points F and H, practically all the weapons used in martial arts would be prohibited, as we read in the fragments below:

Point F: “The canes-this, the daggers of any kind and the razors called automatic. The white weapons of leaf less than 11 centimeters, of two edges and pointed."

Point H: “Wire or lead defenses;the puzzles;the pugilato keys, with or without spikes;the perfected tiragomas and cerbatanas;The Munchacos and Xiriquetes, as well as any other instruments especially dangerous for the physical integrity of the people."

Special permits and sale

Likewise, the regulation itself provides that special permits can be granted for collectors, museums, cultural centers and some establishments or organizations;This is the case of specialized schools in martial arts that are duly registered;The text seems not to contemplate individuals.

On the other hand, the Civil Guard on its website clarifies that the sale and possession of machetes, knives and some white weapons for collecting or decoration at home should not be considered prohibited.

So can we have weapons for martial arts practice?

Finally, it is worth mentioning the determinations of the Ministry of Interior on prohibited weapons in Spain, which summarizes all regulations in this regard. According to the weapons regulation, most white weapons used in martial arts are prohibited in Spain, especially those that are sharp or sharp.

However, it is allowed to have them within a particular address as an object of ornament or collecting. What is expressly prohibited is the carrying, exhibition and use of white weapons, even those used in martial arts, outside the home, school, museum, cultural or sports center.

The conclusion that can be deduced from all of the above is that it is not allowed to use martial arts as personal defense objects or mechanisms.