No, throwing stars (shuriken) are classified as prohibited weapons under Mexico’s Ley Federal de Armas de Fuego y Municiones (Federal Law on Firearms and Ammunition), which bans their manufacture, import, sale, and possession without special authorization. The 2023 amendments to this law expanded restrictions to include non-firearm weapons deemed “dangerous,” aligning with heightened public security measures ahead of the 2026 presidential transition. Violations may result in fines or imprisonment under Article 11, with enforcement prioritized in high-risk zones.
Key Regulations for Throwing Stars (Shuriken) in Mexico
- Prohibition Status: Shuriken are explicitly listed as “prohibited weapons” under Article 10 of the Ley Federal de Armas, alongside brass knuckles and nunchaku. Their possession is illegal unless obtained under a rare permiso de portación (carry permit) for “historical or cultural” purposes, which requires approval from the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA).
- Penalties for Violation: Unauthorized possession or trafficking carries penalties of 3 to 10 years’ imprisonment (Article 11) and confiscation. Repeat offenses or use in criminal acts escalate charges to aggravated weapons trafficking under the Código Penal Federal.
- Enforcement Trends: SEDENA and state prosecutors have intensified inspections in border states (e.g., Tamaulipas, Chihuahua) due to cross-border smuggling of bladed weapons. Cultural organizations (e.g., martial arts schools) must register shuriken with SEDENA for display-only use.