Can I carry a knife, pepper spray or knuckle-duster to protect myself?
In short
No. Pepper spray, knuckle-dusters and some knives are forbidden weapons. Saying 'it is to protect myself' does not make it legal to carry them.
Video transcript
You are going out in the evening. You want to put something in your bag for protection. Not allowed: Pepper spray, knuckle-dusters, flick knives and butterfly knives are banned weapons. 'For protection' does not make it legal. The right way: If you feel in danger, do not carry a weapon; call 112 or 101. Outcome (Level 3 crime): Prison: 3 – 5 years; Fine: up to 200.000 €; Also: Seized, criminal record.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Spring-loaded or locking flick knives, butterfly knives, knuckle-dusters and pepper spray are forbidden weapons (Weapons Act / Wapenwet / loi sur les armes, 8 June 2006). You may only carry other knives if you have a valid reason (for example, for work).
- The police seize forbidden weapons, and a criminal case can be started.
- A blank-firing (alarm) pistol may also only be carried if you have a valid reason. Carrying a real gun without a carry permit is a level 3 crime; this is why firing in the air at a wedding has serious consequences.
- If you feel you are in danger, call 112 or 101 instead of carrying a weapon.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- A fine can also be given as an extra penalty; the legal maximum is 200.000 €.
Legal basis:Wapenwet 8.6.2006, art. 23
- Court / prison
- Level 3: 3 – 5 years in prison. If the judge accepts mitigating circumstances, they can give a lighter penalty (level 2 or 1).
Legal basis:Wapenwet 8.6.2006, art. 23
What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 3: 3 – 5 years in prison. All penalty levels →
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- The weapon is seized
Legal basis:Wapenwet 8.6.2006, art. 8, 23
- It can appear on your criminal record extract (uittreksel uit het strafregister / extrait de casier judiciaire). This can cause problems when you apply for jobs.
Legal basis:Sv. art. 590, 595
- For serious or repeated crimes, your residence permit can be taken away or not renewed. Your citizenship application can be blocked.
Legal basis:Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21, 23 §2 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 15 §3
- If you use a weapon in a fight or threaten someone with a weapon, the judge treats this as an aggravating circumstance and can give a heavier sentence.
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 204, 5°
What do these terms mean?
- Criminal record
- The state register of convictions handed down by a court. The extract asked for a job, residence or nationality application comes from it. Municipal GAS fines are not entered in it.
Why does this rule exist?
Carrying a weapon can turn an ordinary argument into a deadly one. This rule protects both the people around you and you.
Where can you go?
- Free first-line legal advice and pro deo lawyerA free or low-cost lawyer if your income is low
- Justice HouseInformation and support for victims, accused people and convicted people (Justitiehuis / Maison de justice)
- Emergency112 · Police 101
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 13 / 13 statements in an official source
- Checked: 12.10.2026
- Last checked
- 12.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 13 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Muşta (boksbeugel) Silah Kanunu'na göre yasak silahtır
Justel, Wapenwet 8 juni 2006 (bijgewerkt tot 26-03-2026; wijziging W 2026-03-16/13, in werking 01-09-2026), art. 3 §1, 5° - Found in an official source
Bazı bıçaklar yasak silahtır
Justel, Wapenwet 8 juni 2006 (bijgewerkt tot 26-03-2026; wijziging W 2026-03-16/13, in werking 01-09-2026), art. 3 §1, 5° ve art. 9 - Found in an official source
Biber gazı yasak silahtır
Justel, Wapenwet 8 juni 2006 (bijgewerkt tot 26-03-2026; wijziging W 2026-03-16/13, in werking 01-09-2026), art. 3 §1, 10° - Found in an official source
Kanun tarihi: Wapenwet 8 Haziran 2006
Justel, Wet houdende regeling van economische en individuele activiteiten met wapens, 8 juni 2006 - Found in an official source
Polis yasak silaha el koyar
Justel, Wapenwet 8 juni 2006 (bijgewerkt tot 26-03-2026; wijziging W 2026-03-16/13, in werking 01-09-2026), art. 8 en art. 23 - Found in an official source
Silah Kanunu md. 23 (1 Eylül 2026'dan beri): seviye 3 (3–5 yıl); ek para cezası en fazla 200.000 €
Wapenwet 8.6.2006, art. 23 - Corrected according to the source
Kurusıkı tabanca sorun doğurabilir; düğünde havaya ateş ağır sonuç doğurur
Wapenwet 8.6.2006 art. 3 §2 4°, art. 9, art. 14, art. 23 - Found in an official source
Tehlikede 112 veya 101'i arayın
112.be - Found in an official source
Adli sicil, oturum izni/vatandaşlık sonuçları (ortak metin)
FOD Justitie – Uittreksel uit het strafregister - Found in an official source
Yasak silahlara el konulur, müsadere edilir ve imha edilir; diğer silah suçlarında da müsadere uygulanır
Wapenwet 8.6.2006, art. 8, 23 - Found in an official source
Mahkûmiyet Strafregister'e kaydedilir; kişi bir uittreksel alabilir ve bu belge iş başvurusunda istenebilir
Sv. art. 590, 595 - Found in an official source
Kamu düzeni nedeniyle oturum sona erdirilebilir; suçun ağırlığı dikkate alınır; vatandaşlıkta savcı 'kişiye özgü ciddi olgular' nedeniyle olumsuz görüş verebilir
Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21, 23 §2 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 15 §3 - Corrected according to the source
Silahla işlenen veya silahla tehdit edilen şiddet, hâkimin cezayı belirlerken dikkate aldığı ağırlaştırıcı etkendir; suçun seviyesini kendiliğinden değiştirmez
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 204, 5°
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?