London, UK – The United Kingdom has officially implemented a ban on "ninja swords," effective August 1, 2025, making it illegal to possess, manufacture, import, or sell these weapons. This legislative change is the final component of "Ronan's Law," enacted in memory of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who was tragically murdered with such a weapon in 2022. The ban aims to tighten legislation around dangerous weapons and is a direct response to rising concerns over knife crime.
Under the new regulations, individuals found in possession of a ninja sword in private could face up to six months in prison, with penalties potentially increasing to two years under forthcoming measures in the Crime and Policing Bill. Ahead of the ban, a surrender scheme ran from July 1 to July 31, allowing owners to surrender their weapons, with compensation available for those purchased before March 27, 2025. The government views this as a crucial step towards reducing violence.
Despite the government's stated intent, the measure has drawn skepticism regarding its overall effectiveness in tackling the broader issue of knife crime. Social media personality Tyler Oliveira, for instance, commented on the ban, stating, "Genius! Banning ninja swords in the UK will surely solve their knife crime! If this doesn’t work, maybe try banning violence next???" This sentiment reflects a common criticism that such bans are performative and do not address the underlying causes of violent crime.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the ban's significance, stating, "Today we are introducing the final part of Ronan's law in his memory – banning the ninja swords that his killers should never have been able to use." Pooja Kanda, Ronan's mother, tirelessly campaigned for the ban, asserting that ninja swords "have no place in our society other than to seriously harm and kill." The legislation defines a ninja sword as having a blade between 14 and 24 inches, with a tanto or reverse tanto-style point, and potentially a second blade.