This topic has become a little heated and political previously; and I fully appreciate the Mods stance and policy on that. Given some of the posts to this thread with specific questions - I believe that alone shows the worth of such threads and how important an issue it is.
The law is the law - and also how the person on the spot and society / the judicial system etc etc choose to apply it. My proposal is that the ongoing trend is the demonisation of blades and that will colour how things are enforced.
There are parallels with the shooting community here - not least the general response that only those doing 'something wrong' have anything to worry about. And an innocent , respectable citizen is unlikely to ever have any negative interaction with law enforcement. I can fully understand that point of view, but respectfully contend that there is an element of playing a string instrument whilst there's a pervading smell of smoke over an Italian city
These thing affect individuals and through that route collectively us all. One by one, some of them entirely Just, some questionable, some wrong and each one a tiny thing of little seeming 'consequence'. But years down the line, attitudes have changed, the law makers perceive ever new 'threats' and often 'necessity' demands action - please Google for William Pitt's comments on the role of necessity in government
Other minorities ( and be clear it's what 'we' are these days ) have implemented hugely successful perception campaigns to alter, at a fundamental level, the way they are perceived and ultimately treated by the law and society. That cohesion simply doesn't exist in many of the outdoor pursuits collectives and it is costing and is going to cost us all dearly.
In this week's local paper ( and I accept papers do not accurately cover stories, more to it than meets the eye etc etc - but I am taking the quotes as accurate and it is they that underline my point )-
1. An English tourist was found in possession of a holdall with an 'incredible' collection of 21 blades in it. The court fully accepted he was a collector, quote ' in the same way someone collects stamps'. He had zero criminal record, a steady and responsible job and witnesses all around affirmed he was behaving responsibly and in no way threatening anyone. The police and court accepted he represented absolutely zero risk to the public. Having served 30 days on remand he was sentenced to 2 years prison - to send a clear message that the private ownership of blades is 'simply' unacceptable to society.
2. Two separate cases of persons found to be growing cannibis following police call out on 'disturbance' issues. Both cases had previous convictions both drug and violence related. The towns concerned had experienced a spate of criminal activity relating to drug use. In one case three plants were found, of which only one met the criteria as prohibited. In the other a greenhouse full was discovered with an estimated street value of £12,000. In the first case a community service order of 65 hours was issued along with £75 fine and £50 costs. In the second, the court accepted the £12k of cannibis was only for personal use as the defendant was a heavy smoker - 20 hours community service and £50 costs. One defendant was arrested at court pursuant to an investigation of an assault charge that had occurred since his arrest on the drug charge.
3. A man accused of slashing a woman with a stanley knife had his case dropped as the woman he had attacked was believed to have moved from the area and could not be contacted. No charges of an offensive weapon nature were to be brought as this wasn't felt to be in the public interest.
The case details do not really matter - its the mindset and perception that they illustrate that causes me concern.
No lecture, not rabble rousing etc just airing an opinion.
