can prove it is used as a tool. In France, balisongs are legal to own if one is over 18 years of age but are illegal to carry without official authorization. In Germany, the balisong was outlawed when the Waffengesetz (weapons law) was tightened in April 2003 in the aftermath of the Erfurt massacre. Thus buying, possessing, lending, using, carrying, crafting, altering and trading it is illegal and is punishable by up to five years imprisonment, confiscation of the knife and a fine of up to €10,000. Using a butterfly knife for crime of any kind – as is any illegal weapon – is punishable by from 1 to 10 years imprisonment. In Hungary, balisongs, switchblades and gravity knives are treated like normal knives, they are legal to possess one regardless of its length, but it is illegal to carry one that is longer than in public. In Ireland, butterfly knives are illegal offensive weapons. In Italy, balisongs are legal to own if not sharpened on both sides, but illegal to carry without justifiable reason. In Lithuania, balisongs among other knives are legal to possess and carry as they are not considered weapons. This excludes switchblades. In the Netherlands, balisongs are illegal. In New Zealand, balisongs are illegal. In Norway, balisongs are illegal. In the Philippines, it is now generally illegal to carry one without identification or a proper permit in the streets of the capital because of their prevalent use in crime and altercations. One now needs to demonstrate the need in professional livelihood or utilitarian purpose (such as cutting grass, preparing fruit and meat, being a vendor of knives, being martial arts instructors, etc.) to be able to walk around with bladed implements in the urban areas. Another rule of thumb is that the blade of pocket knives must not exceed the length of the palm and must not be openable by one hand in order to be considered as a utility knife as opposed to a weapon (thus, Swiss Army Knives are legal). In Poland, balisongs, switchblades and gravity knives are treated like normal knives. In Russia, balisongs are legal only if the length of the blade is not more than . In Sweden, it's illegal to carry, import or trade a balisong; legal to own and collect. In Switzerland, balisongs are illegal to carry, give, lend, buy, or trade. In the United Kingdom, the balisong has