"NUNCHAKU" is pronounced "noon-chah-koo"...say it again..."noon-chah-koo".
Anything else (numchucks, chucks, chucka-sticks, etc.) shows your ignorance.
If I were trying to decide if ANY weapon could be carried in public, I'd ask the local police, not rely on what I heard from "several adults". You even admit that they might be wrong & you're still willing to take the chance. You deserve to get arrested for being judgement-impared.
But I guess you know what's what.
owari