"Weapons" in vehicles

Its a tool.
No more a weapon that a tomahawk, axe or shovel.
Some of us carry a rifle in a locked box when travelling with no problems.

Keith

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Originally Posted by tact

Gang - I have been away from Oz for way too long and returned now for good. Soon my Defender will be shipped over to join me here.

In Malaysia I typically leave a lot of my gear in the vehicle between jungle outings - stuff like recovery gear and first aid kits etc. This includes items like a small hatchet, shovel, and a "parang". Most of it behind the rear seat of my dual cab ute.

A parang is a SE Asian version of a machete. Mine would be similar in length to a Japanese katana but not two-handed grip. Can cut through bamboo up to about 4.5" diameter in one swing.

My question is: what are the current laws/rules around carrying stuff like this in a vehicle? Particularly in NSW, but also Aust-wide. Am I likely to cop some fire if ever pulled over?

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While this post does not constitute legal advice. Over the years I have been pulled over many times. I have always had items that could be classified as weapons. The police have never had any issues. In the centre console I tend to have a rescue lock knife that's fluro yellow. The police have made comments about it being "too accessible" but have let me go on my way when I tell them that it's there incase I need to get out if I am upside down.

Now a katana style tool is probably more difficult to say it's a rescue device...

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Originally Posted by stewie110

While this post does not constitute legal advice. Over the years I have been pulled over many times. I have always had items that could be classified as weapons. The police have never had any issues. In the centre console I tend to have a rescue lock knife that's fluro yellow. The police have made comments about it being "too accessible" but have let me go on my way when I tell them that it's there incase I need to get out if I am upside down.

Now a katana style tool is probably more difficult to say it's a rescue device...

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In the 60 odd years I have been driving I have never been pulled over and searched.
Why are some searched and not others?

Keith

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Originally Posted by 123rover50

In the 60 odd years I have been driving I have never been pulled over and searched.
Why are some searched and not others?

Keith

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I have never been searched but having what could be considered a weapon in clear sight has raised comments. Particularly as it is fluro yellow.

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Originally Posted by 123rover50

In the 60 odd years I have been driving I have never been pulled over and searched.
Why are some searched and not others?

Keith

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A katana or machete is not a tool, it's a weapon. I think it could be quite hard to explain it's presence in the vehicle.

As per Grumbles post...it is irrelevant as to any of our opinions as to what is, and when can you carry a weapon. The laws define that.

In saying that, if you really feel the need to carry such an item, as the bamboo gets pretty thick in some of the suburbs....if it is out of sight....unless the police have grounds to search your vehicle for drugs etc, or to inspect it for defects...said item will never be seen and never become a problem!

Personally I have found my perfectly legitimate solid jacking/tyre steel bar, kept within easy reach, never to present a legality problem.

In my time is PNG, I regularly used a machete to clear a path through bush, and have occasionally used it for the same purpose here, although in my present location an axe or chainsaw is usually more appropriate, but I have never considered it as a weapon. Maybe I don't watch the right movies?

It is not unusual for me to carry an axe of some kind and a Bushman saw (doesn't leak oil like the chainsaw does!).

why take the risk?

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Originally Posted by JDNSW

In my time is PNG, I regularly used a machete to clear a path through bush, and have occasionally used it for the same purpose here, although in my present location an axe or chainsaw is usually more appropriate, but I have never considered it as a weapon. Maybe I don't watch the right movies?

It is not unusual for me to carry an axe of some kind and a Bushman saw (doesn't leak oil like the chainsaw does!).

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It's not if you consider it a weapon. It is if you get a cop that does. No matter what people say the law is selectively enforced. You could be sunshine and rainbows all the time and get a cop on a bad day and end up getting all the "fun".

It depends on the officer that pulls you up. If they believe you have it there as a weapon, you can be charged, but rarely happens for people with legitimate reasons in 4x4s and trade vehicles. Partly why I generally keep mine right in the rear. Where it becomes a bit murky and they will challenge you is if it is within reach from your seated position. I have been cautioned in the past about having a wheel brace under the front seat, a hockey stick on the back seat (partner played hockey) had a laugh at the Kalgoorlie Cop that challenged me on that one, the sad thing he was serious. As long as you can support just cause for having the items in the vehicle.
The moment you call them a weapon, you may be in trouble. Call them tools. Calling them a weapon is insinuating you have intent to use them to cause harm to another person. I have only ever called items like you mentioned and even firearmsas tools.