US judge scraps New York nunchuck ban as it violates ‘right to bear arms’
- American martial arts enthusiast argued the ban on nunchucks in his home stripped him of the right to defend himself and the judge agreed
Just blame Bruce Lee. Back in 1974, New York state decided to ban the possession of nunchucks as lawmakers feared they were becoming enticing tools of violence among hooligan children and street criminals who were exposed to the weapons on television. They were so dangerous, lawmakers said, not even karate teachers could keep them in a locker at home.
But while being dangerous might have been a good enough reason then, it is not any more.
US District Judge Pamela Chen on Friday struck down New York’s nunchuck ban as unconstitutional, finding that nunchucks are protected under the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
In her 32-page ruling, Chen concluded that nunchucks are commonly used by law-abiding citizens – karate enthusiasts or for self-defence – so banning them violates the Second Amendment.