Knife Law (Rant)
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widu13
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Can I just say that a knife is a knife UNLESS it is made as an offensive weapon i.e. Fairbank Sykes commando dagger. A bushcraft knife has never been an "offensive weapon" until the muppet holding it decides to use it as one. Sub 3" non locking folders are blanket okay to carry. Anything else is okay with good cause (reasonable excuse).
I DO think everyone carrying an offensive weapon should be locked up!
I DO think everyone carrying an offensive weapon should be locked up!
i got caught going through Gatwick security with a folding saw! (dont ask!) it was in my semi hidden pocket on my backpack and i forgot to check!
police asked why and where i was going (winter climbing in ben nevis) and they both said fair enough and one was contemplating giving it back to me!! but the other said no and i would have to collect it from gatwick police station some other time!
i must admit i felt a right tXt but i wasnt worried that i would be going to prison.
i now check every pocket of everything at least 10 times before flying!
police asked why and where i was going (winter climbing in ben nevis) and they both said fair enough and one was contemplating giving it back to me!! but the other said no and i would have to collect it from gatwick police station some other time!
i must admit i felt a right tXt but i wasnt worried that i would be going to prison.
i now check every pocket of everything at least 10 times before flying!
this again... well i suppose its what this government causes. i collect knives, some of which are useless on a practical scale, some which i use regularly. i also have 6 air rifles, machetes, axes etc. im 15. from the governments eyes i am obviously up to no good and going to kill everyone, so should i not have a licence for these weapons because everyone under 18 is up to no good?
stereotypical discrimination to get a good news story and more control over everyone.
stereotypical discrimination to get a good news story and more control over everyone.
The law cant be beaten and is not difficult to comply with. I carry a falkniven folding non locking knife all the time and it does most jobs very well during my work an social activities. I carry a bushey when I have an activity or job which needs a substantial knife. I am then compliant with the law having a genuine reason for carrying a fixed blade. I can understand the sentiment that dislikes the law but as with smoking in public places and seatbelt use it is a law we need to comply with. I think this subject needs to be put to bed.
I feel sorry for you guys with your knife laws.
Where I live is pretty wide open as far as knives and in my state you can even carry a gun without a permit as long as it's in the open.
Where I live is pretty wide open as far as knives and in my state you can even carry a gun without a permit as long as it's in the open.
how are gun and knife crimes over there? i bet they are significantly lower than england because most people are carrying something they can use as a weapon if they need to making it more difficult for Mr delinquent with his kitchen knife to be a threat to Mr public with his gun.
I think our knife laws are OK. You can carry any knife you want (obviously any that are legal) as long as you have good reason and can prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
From what I can find the age restriction is upon selling, not owning using or carrying. Of course that doesn't mean that Joe Public doesn't believe that there is. After all it's commonly accepted that the age restriction on selling applies to all knives, when in fact razors and the likes of SAK's are exempt.
In my experience thats true of ALL media. I was frothing at the mouth over some such piece on the TV some two years ago. They were calling for a ban on all knives or all knives in public places.
Knock more than 2 brain cells together. Right so we live upon imported chinese takeaways as table and kitchen knives are illegal or we have the police or some government agency deliver kitchen knives as it would be illegal to buy them in tesco's et-al. ARGH.
The media love to conflate the words knife and offensive weapon. The offensive weapon used in knife crime is a knife, ergo a knife is a offensive weapon (and not a device being used as a weapon).
Just be sensible about what you're carrying and where. You wouldn't take a knife into a pub, bank, supermarket etc etc.
I'm a Park Ranger and carry what I want when I want as a knife is primarily a tool and in my work probably the most useful tool I have on a daily basis (emphasis on tool). Without knives we'd still be scratching in the dirt. Apart from fire and the wheel it's one of the most important inventions ever made.
A knife, screwdriver, ballpoint pen, snooker ball, bottle, beer glass, coin, newspaper etc etc only becomes a weapon when someone chooses to use it as such. It's easier for government to criminalise the item than to target the lawless. Criminals are what they are because they break the law. Don't think for one second that making something illegal affects the criminal element, that's why they're criminals. it just hinders those of us who obey the law by restricting the use of an otherwise excellent tool.
I'm a Park Ranger and carry what I want when I want as a knife is primarily a tool and in my work probably the most useful tool I have on a daily basis (emphasis on tool). Without knives we'd still be scratching in the dirt. Apart from fire and the wheel it's one of the most important inventions ever made.
A knife, screwdriver, ballpoint pen, snooker ball, bottle, beer glass, coin, newspaper etc etc only becomes a weapon when someone chooses to use it as such. It's easier for government to criminalise the item than to target the lawless. Criminals are what they are because they break the law. Don't think for one second that making something illegal affects the criminal element, that's why they're criminals. it just hinders those of us who obey the law by restricting the use of an otherwise excellent tool.
Exactly. I've never been stopped(other than in the car for doing an illegal U-turn) or searched by Police in my lifetime
As in many cases, the law on knives is fairly ridiculous. The problem is that, although there is a lot of discretion used in the UK, you could be prosecuted for carrying 'a knife' if a Policeman feels the urge to pursue it.
My Leatherman is a useful tool and as far as I'm concerned I can justify having it in my pocket.
As above, kitchen knives are probably more of an issue for young kn*bheads who want to stab or set dogs on each other. A large carving knife could potentially inflict more damage than a Leatherman.
I wouldn't carry a sheath knife on my belt in the city centre though.
Our knife laws are ridiculous. I carry my leatherman on my belt everyday, and comes in handy many times throughout the day.
When I have seen a policeman I always them if they are 'nicking people' for carrying a leatherman tool which has a locking blade ?, and so far the answer has been 'no, we carry them ourselves'.
But it boils down to having a good reason for carrying a knife, leatherman etc.
I think if your going down the woods, perhaps to do some wood carving or similar, then surely you have a good reason to be carrying a knife, dont quote me on that.
I'm starting to think that moving abroad is the only option, say canada, then I could go down the woods with knives, machetes, rifles, pistols and enjoy some freedom !I havent excercised any restraint.... sorry
Our knife laws are actually very sensible and not restrictive in the slightest to legitimate users of knives.
Anyone can carry a non locker sub 3" folding knife.
Anyone can carry a locking knife
Anyone can carry a fixed blade
The top one is a free for all, the next two require a reason for having it. If your not out to show off to your mates, threaten someone or stab someone etc then dont even give it a second thought.
A knife only becomes an offensive weapon once it is used in an aggressive or threatening way. Same as a hammer, screwdriver, spanner, hosepipe, pen or even a feather duster. Until then it is naught but a tool.
Luckily a knife is only classed as an offensive weapon if used in an offensive way. Most knife users are safe if they are locking up anyone with an offensive weapon.
where i live its pretty rural so its not uncommon to see others with scout knives on their belts, as for the local police ive only ever been stopped once for carrying fireworks through town on halloween, all they said realy was "are you having a good night".
i tend to not worry about carrying my knife, if im going up the road to shoot or to the woods it stays in my bag until i get there, not realy because im worried about the fuzz, more cautious of what other pedestrians might say.
If ever a subject was a hamster wheel, its this one!
Remember, its not newsworthy if the media, politicians and police authorities publicly discuss the remarkable fact that of all the billions of knives and edged tools in use nationwide, there is virtually no misuse!
Remember, its not newsworthy if the media, politicians and police authorities publicly discuss the remarkable fact that of all the billions of knives and edged tools in use nationwide, there is virtually no misuse!
So then why should there be a presumption that I am intending evil if my knife is 1mm too long, or has a safety-catch? I thought that there was a presumption of "innocent-until-proven-guilty" in English law. I am just as unlikely to go a-viking with a two-foot machete as I am with a SAK.
There isn't in law. You can carry a two foot machete as long as you have a good reason. If you don't have good reason, then you really should not be carrying it. The only definition that should be changed is that on lock knives, and the realisation that a lock is a safety device and not anything more. But then you can carry a lock knife perfectly legally if you have a good reason to do so... camping, hiking, work etc etc.
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