Weapons — Spain

Spain bans outright, even just owning one: defence sprays such as pepper spray (unless the model has been approved by the Ministry of Health and is bought from a gun shop by an adult showing ID), stun guns and other electric weapons, rubber or extendable batons, tonfas, knuckle-dusters, nunchaku, switchblades, sword-canes and daggers (double-edged, pointed blades under 11 cm). Even a lawful knife or other bladed weapon may not be carried, shown or used outside your home, your workplace or a sporting activity, and it is up to the police to judge whether you really needed to carry it; carrying weapons into bars, clubs and other places of entertainment or gatherings is treated as unlawful as a general rule. Carrying a banned weapon, or carrying any weapon outside the places authorised for its use, is a serious administrative offence fined 601 to 30,000 euros, and the police may take the item.

Carrying, displaying or using a prohibited weapon, or carrying, displaying or using any weapon negligently, recklessly, intimidatingly or outside the places authorised for its use (even with a licence), where it is not a crime: serious infringement fined 601 to 30,000 euros, minimum grade 601 to 10,400 euros (Ley Orgánica 4/2015, arts. 36.10 and 39.1). Police may check people, belongings and vehicles for weapons in public places and temporarily take any weapon or instrument of aggression (art. 18). The banned items are listed in the Reglamento de Armas (Real Decreto 137/1993), arts. 4.1 and 5.1; the rule against carrying bladed weapons and short firearms outside home, work or sport is art. 146.

Verified Sep 21, 2026