Knives and the Law

[tomtom]

out of interest why isn't the law writen in metric measurements?

 

[Danzo]

I don't know, to be honest. Some legislation is and some isn't. Probably because although we supposedly are a metric country now many people still operate in imperial measures. Very few people tell you how many kilometres it is to a place or how much something weighs in kilograms.

:?:

Danzo

 

[bambodoggy]

Ignorance of the law is no excuse, I'm afraid.



Danzo

No....I found that out the hard way once!!! :yikes:

But I wasn't thinking along the lines of an ignorance defence, more along the lines of an inaccurate (and therefore maybe unenforceable) law....surely it is up to the Judishery (sorry my spelling is so bad) to ensure that laws are accurate and up to date?

I agree about distance in miles but as I said below if you don't sell items in metric in say a fruit and veg shop you can fall foul of the law there! Madness! :rolmao:

 

[Danzo]

No....I found that out the hard way once!!! :yikes:

But I wasn't thinking along the lines of an ignorance defence, more along the lines of an inaccurate (and therefore maybe unenforceable) law....surely it is up to the Judishery (sorry my spelling is so bad) to ensure that laws are accurate and up to date?

It's the role of Parliament to update the law. The judiciary simply enforce the law as laid down by Parliament.

Of course the judges also set precedents by making decisions in cases, such as the famous Harris v DPP which restricted the carrying of lock knives. However once they have set a precedent the onus passes to Parliament to alter or amend it.

Blimey, I end up explaining the law in my lunchbreak as well!

):

Danzo

 

[bambodoggy]

Ignorance of the law is no excuse, I'm afraid.



Danzo

Oooo....oooo, also, I would suggest that you are not Ignorant of the law but rather Ignorant of the outdated measurements used.... Is there a difference do you think Danzo?

 

[bambodoggy]

Blimey, I end up explaining the law in my lunchbreak as well!

): Danzo

Sorry Matey...I was being nosey! lol Thanks for your input, I'll leave you to eat your lunch in peace now! ):

 

[Danzo]

Oooo....oooo, also, I would suggest that you are not Ignorant of the law but rather Ignorant of there outdated measurements used.... Is there a difference do you think Danzo?

Possibly..........

I'll go and see if I can find anything on this.

:biggthump

Danzo

 

[bambodoggy]

Possibly..........

I'll go and see if I can find anything on this.

:biggthump

Danzo

No, no, no......please eat your lunch in peace Mate....I'm not THAT desperate to know!!! :rolmao:

 

[Danzo]

Sorry Matey...I was being nosey! lol Thanks for your input, I'll leave you to eat your lunch in peace now! ):

No worries. I'll go and see what I can find about ignorance of specific weights and measures: it's an intriguing proposition!

Danzo

 

[bambodoggy]

Many thanks Mate.... :You_Rock_

 

[tomtom]

it is a fair point.. while i can use metric or imperial measurements.. i find metric much easier for the simple reason that it has always been there for me i was taught it all the way though school.. i am sure that younger generations than my self will be even less likely to know imperial as people are more more starting to measure themselvs in meters and cm which is the only area where imperial has been used to any great extent in my life.. and i know people my age who would have trouble telling you how big three inches was.

 

[bambodoggy]

and i know people my age who would have trouble telling you how big three inches was.

Fortunately my wife has no understanding of how long 8inches is!!! lol :rolmao: :rolmao:

Wups...hope that's not in need of moderating! :yikes:

 

[Keith_Beef]

it is a fair point.. while i can use metric or imperial measurements.. i find metric much easier for the simple reason that it has always been there for me i was taught it all the way though school.. i am sure that younger generations than my self will be even less likely to know imperial as people are more more starting to measure themselvs in meters and cm which is the only area where imperial has been used to any great extent in my life.. and i know people my age who would have trouble telling you how big three inches was.

I've read articles in the Press, and maybe on the BBC website, where short distances were given metres, longer distances in kilometres, and speeds in miles per hour.

I don't know how tall I am in SI units, don't know my shoe size in the continental scale, and don't know what sizes to look for in clothing...

This makes for interesting conversations in the shops in France.

girl: "Can I help you, sir?"
me: "I'm looking for a plain white shirt"
girl: "What size?"
me: "Seventeen and three quarters"
girl: "Pardon?"
me: "Seventeen and three quarter inch collar"
girl: "What's an inch?"

Trousers are even more fun.....


Keith.

 

[tomtom]

Fortunately my wife has no understanding of how long 8inches is!!! lol :rolmao: :rolmao:

Wups...hope that's not in need of moderating! :yikes:

oh dear... :roll:

 

[Ranger Bob]

it is a fair point.. while i can use metric or imperial measurements.. i find metric much easier for the simple reason that it has always been there for me i was taught it all the way though school.. i am sure that younger generations than my self will be even less likely to know imperial as people are more more starting to measure themselvs in meters and cm which is the only area where imperial has been used to any great extent in my life.. and i know people my age who would have trouble telling you how big three inches was.

I was taught the metric system all the way though school too, but when I left, I swiftly forgot it and learnt imperial.....I'll not be dictated which units I have to measure things in!

 

[tomtom]

personally i find metric easier.. its all tens and hundreads.. and i have a small brain :wave:

 

[Ranger Bob]

personally i find metric easier.. its all tens and hundreads.. and i have a small brain :wave:

I don't disagree....its certainly more logical!...probably why I dislike it! ):

 

[george]

If I'm on foot I think in terms of metres and kilometres. If I'm in the car I think of miles and miles per hour. If I'm doing woodwork or metalwork I use centimetres and millimetres. If I'm weighing things its kilogrammes and grammes but if its a pig or a person its in pounds and stones. I think I'm confused!!

george

 

[bambodoggy]

If I'm on foot I think in terms of metres and kilometres. If I'm in the car I think of miles and miles per hour. If I'm doing woodwork or metalwork I use centimetres and millimetres. If I'm weighing things its kilogrammes and grammes but if its a pig or a person its in pounds and stones. I think I'm confused!!

george

Which.....was my original point, how can the law convict if it's using a system (Imperial) that other courts are prosecuting for using (wights and measurement of cabbage and cheese etc) and that the younger generation don't understand....and slightly older generation are confused over.

As I said, I don't think it would work as a defence but I'm interested to see what Danzo comes back with ):

 

[Keith_Beef]

Which.....was my original point, how can the law convict if it's using a system (Imperial) that other courts are prosecuting for using (wights and measurement of cabbage and chease etc) and that the younger generation don't understand....and slightly older generation are confused over.

As I said, I don't think it would work as a defence but I'm interested to see what Danzo comes back with ):

The Weights and Measures act governing the units obligatorily used for trading purposes is not applicable to the units used to measure a blade in order to decide if an offence has been committed.

Ignorance of the law is no defence; the law is worded using Imperial measures.

Rulers and tape measures in Imperial units are widely available in the U.K. and it is not unreasonable to expect the individual to be able to verify conformity with the law.

That will be sixteen guineas six shilling fourpence and a farthing, please.

Keith.