Hi guys,

I don't want to get in trouble in H.K., so I have a few questions for my fellow gweilo brothers.... Where I'm from, we're allowed to carry guns everywhere (except airports, schools, and bars). I would often have an AK or a shotgun (depends if it's hunting season) in my car and carry a revolver or a mini-Glock (depends on the weather). Plus, I'll also have a foldable hunting knife in my front pocket.  

Obviously, the guns are not legal in H.K., but what about a foldable hunting knife or bowie knife (large pointed butcher knife) ? Is carrying a knife legal? If so, what is the limit on the type or size of the knife? What about a stun gun? If that is legal, what type is legal? There are stun guns that shoot projectiles attached to a wire and there are stun guns that you have to get in close and make contact. What about pepper spray or mace? How about a tactical baton (retractable night stick)?

I have been carrying a foldable hunting knife, pepper spray, and a contact stun gun with me. After reading about the various brothers that got randomly searched by police, I don't think that's a good idea if what I'm doing is illegal. Please advise.

If these items are illegal, what do you carry for self-defense?

So far, Hong Kong is way safer than my home, but it's better safe than sorry. I would never dream of leaving the house without a gun back home, but in Hong Kong, I usually would leave the house carrying nothing. I only bring arms if I'm mongering in a strange neighborhood where I'm unsure of the safety.

Thanks,
drjoker.

WTF?!!!  

I dont think ANY of those are technically legal in Hong Kong with the exception of perhaps the mace or pepper spray. If you feel the need to carry weapons when youre mongering, then youre going to the wrong places. Ive lived in HK almost 30 years and I have NEVER felt the need to carry anything other than a bit of common sense and a sense of humour. I'm sure others have experienced other things but HK is far and away the safest city around Asia I think. Regardless of what the police think when youre 'searched' if you have to use mace or any other weapon anywhere else in HK, then I think you would end up in more trouble than if you had just negociated yourself out of any situation you find yourself in. A wallet would be a safer bet....

Wow, you are worried about your safety !

I don't know about knives but all other items you mentioned are illegal, including mace and retractable sticks.
For knives, anything folding could be illegal but for size of knives I don't know.

If you yere found carrying what you've been carrying here you will be arrested !

I think the majority of people in HK do not carry anything for self defence and for us mongering bros
maybe just a 5" - 10" boner in our pants !
this is a civilized city and nothing like the wild wild west over in the States.

No, seriously, please do not carry and offensive or defensive items on you, you may hurt someone witout
meaning to ...

BTW - Which city are you from ???

[ Last edited by  twiceAweek at 2-1-2008 15:57 ]

Agree with hamsupgwai, HK is one of the safest cities on the planet. Been coming to HK for over 30 yrs and have never even felt threatened here. Never had a friend who had a problem here.

I'm not so sure about the knife, tho. Different countries classify knifes according to blade length. Stun gun is prob illegal. Mace or pepper spray - don't know. But do yourself a favor and lighten up.

Leave your `walkabout` tools at home....

HK is very safe.....no need anything...

Hi,

I did some googling. I think all of the stuff I mentioned are illegal (oops). As a matter of fact, the Hong Kong airport's website said that I could have been "prosecuted" for bringing the stuff that I brought to Hong Kong (oops) if they had found it in my suitcase.

Here is the quote, "Travelers are also liable to prosecution if they bring into/out of Hong Kong any "weapon," which includes Chinese-style throwing dart, gravity knife, gravity-operated steel baton, knuckleduster, Chinese-style fighting iron, spring-loaded steel baton, any knife the blade of which is exposed by a spring or other mechanical/electric device, and any bladed/pointed weapon."

Better ditch the unintended contraband...! Until a fellow brother informs me of a legal self-defense tool, I will just have to be more aware of my surroundings.... For example, walking 2 blocks drunk home from the Metro ilast night was probably a bad idea. Better just cough up the dough and take a cab for safety's sake.

Thanks,
drjoker.

Blades below 3 inches are legal, but if you're caught with them on your person during any crime, they can still charge you with intention to cause bodily harm.

All firearms are illegal in Hong Kong. You can even get in trouble if your BB gun is too strong.

Given all that, don't worry about safety. You're pretty safe everywhere. Just don't dress too flashy and you'll blend right in.

Ive walked home at 4am, pissed as a fart many a time....and never had any issues....even had some dodgy looking guy help me up when I fell off the kerb.
I really wouldnt worry about too much...common sense is the best prevention to any potential problems.

Have to agree with the brothers here. During the last 25 years of visits and living there, I have never felt threatened in public. HK is a very safe location as compared to many other metropolitan cities. Of course, it is always wise not to be out too late in unfamiliar surroundings (and be drunk). Common sense is always a good defense.

drjoker, I'm lucky I didn't jump your queue

Where the hell are you from ?

Hey english .
just a point of clarification
I had my wallet stolen on the MTR between admiralty and TST !
Went to the information counter and reported it ...
they immediately got two policemen over and I was led in to a back room where they took my details .
The 1st thing they did was ring the H.S.B.C. hotline and i gave all my details and they cancelled all my cards immediately
Damage limitation ...
I had my I.D. card in my wallet and apart from a few dollars change had no money to get home ...
The policemen were very helpful and even gave me an MTR  ticket to get to central and $hk 30 to get the ferry as I Live on Lantau Island
All Very efficient and helpful .
BUT ........
They asked me to describe the missing wallet and it was a swiss victorinox...(just like the swiss penknife )
They were unsure of what I was describing so to clarify , I produced my little swiss penknife which I always carry ...
Waaa !   they were Not at all happy !!!
"why you carry knife ! offensive weapon etc "
Well this is a small foding pocket knife (about 2 inch blade ) and they warned me that if I was stopped it WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON .
I was allowed to leave after assuring them I would not carry it again ....
SO ..... to alll bro,s .... DO NOT CARRY A KNIFE OF ANY SORT , no matter how small , the police consider it AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON ...


Cheers

JOSH

[ Last edited by  josh at 3-1-2008 10:24 ]

I am proud of our police force here ... respected, fast and efficient, now the've added great PR to it

I know any folding knives are a no no, but for non folding must be like what English said - not more then 3"

Thanks for telling us Josh

BTW everytime I look at your avitar I think of you as a female

I've always thought carrying a weapon is the most dangerous thing you can do. If the bad guy has a weapon, he's far more
likely to use it if you have one as well. I've always admired the British police for not carrying guns on the street. Even in Hong
Kong, when I see a cop with a gun strapped to his hip I still think WTF, does he really need that?

As you know, gun control is very tight in Japan. Nevertheless, we are seeing more gun related criminal cases than before. Most of it is yakuza (underworld) related, but some recent ones are carried out by ordinary citizens. (with licensed rifles and shotguns) We are also seeing an influx of smuggled weapons from China used by the Chinese gangs in the Shinjuku area. Although security is still good in Tokyo, you do have to watch out when you are out late at night, especially in certain areas.

I would prefer if their crime solving skills were half as good.

I think you are mistaken here ... HK police has one of the highest rate of detection in the world ...

WTF ?! Do you come from Sudan or Afghanistan????? Perhaps downtown Baghdad?

No need for that shit in HK unless you're planning a Triad war.

I think you may have a lot of explaining to do if policeman catches you with any of that kit.




Durian

No need for him to explain ... they'll just lock him up and throw the key away

Most of the crimes in HK are trivial in comparisons to other countries.
Higher detection of trivial crimes should not be a surprise.
When there is some news breaking crime they are never solved or it's either an inside job.

Sorry, don't want to make this into a debate about the efficency of HK police force