Question: In my state a Nunchucku is considered a deadly weapon unless it is used for demonstration purposes. How likley am I to serve jail time for carrying Nunchucku.
Answer: We cannot say for sure what penalties you may face in your state because state law on prohibited weapons varies greatly. Moreover, even with a state, the range of available penalties is sometimes broad, leaving the sentencing judge or jury great latitude to determine an appropriate punishment for a defendant.
In Arizona, A.R.S. § 13-3101(A)(7)(e) makes nunchaku a prohibited weapon. Section 13-3102(A)(3) makes it illegal to possess, manufacture, sell or transfer such weapons. Exceptions, like the one in your state, are made for law enforcement personnel or specially licensed people (§13-3102(C)) or for instances in which the weapon is used for demonstration or competition purposes (§13-3102(D).
In the absence of such conditions, the possession of nunchaku is a class 4 felony in Arizona. This means that a first time offender can face a punishment anywhere from probation to 3.75 years in prison. The judge or jury may consider several factors of the crime and the defendant to determine an appropriate sentence within that range. This may be such “aggravating” circumstances as damage to property, use of an accomplice or harm to a victim. The judge may also consider “mitigating” circumstances such as the young age of the offender or the lack of a prior record.
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