New penknife sale laws in Scotland

[sandbender]

A SCOTTISH executive bill to tackle knife crime has been branded “a farce” for targeting the sale of penknives while ignoring more dangerous items such as carving knives and meat cleavers.

Cathy Jamieson, the justice minister, intends to introduce a licensing scheme for “nondomestic” knives in an attempt to curb Scotland’s “booze and blades” culture, which is claiming dozens of lives every year and maiming hundreds.

Read the article online at...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-1880661,00.html

 

[Toddy]

It appears to be more of the , "Be seen to be doing something.", culture that this govenment fosters. Even when, as in this case the restrictions are petty and virtually useless and un-manageable.
Never thought I'd say it; I'm off to join British Blades......maybe some pressure groups can talk some sense into the nutcases.

Cheers,
Toddy

p.s. No offence intended to those on BB, which is an excellent site full of knowledgeable people, but I use a knife as just one of my tools, it's not a real interest/ fascination for me.
T

 

[gregorach]

I've always considered myself extremely cynical about the intelligence and good faith of politicians, but even so, I'm just astounded at the stupidity and pointlessness (no pun intended ) of that.

 

[BorderReiver]

Never thought I'd say it; I'm off to join British Blades......maybe some pressure groups can talk some sense into the nutcases.

I think you will find that BB is not a pressure group as such,indeed discussion of political issues is not allowed.

The best bet would be to bother your MP a lot.

It is a pain that politicians can only respond to serious issues by cosmetic actions that only serve to p/ss off law abiding people and do nothing to address the actual problem.

 

[Toddy]

I think you will find that BB is not a pressure group as such,indeed discussion of political issues is not allowed.

The best bet would be to bother your MP a lot.

It is a pain that politicians can only respond to serious issues by cosmetic actions that only serve to p/ss off law abiding people and do nothing to address the actual problem.

I do agree; I simply felt that BB is, even though it is a group of enthusiasts, more capable of a balanced view than the elected iijits that came up with this proposed legislation. While it isn't a pressure group, sheer weight of numbers of people who *don't* use a knife as Ned/Chav/whatever 's basic night-out accoutrement, isn't a bad thing.
I note from the article that the police and the A & E staff have also questioned the worth of such proposals. While I understand the concerns of both public and politicians, the present legislation surely covers the issues already.
Hmmm, MP? Ours has held his seat since 1987 and I know nothing about him, kind of says a lot doesn't it?

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[BorderReiver]

Hmmm, MP? Ours has held his seat since 1987 and I know nothing about him, kind of says a lot doesn't it?

Cheers,
Toddy

Says he's smug and complacent.

Frighten the beggar.

 

[Spacemonkey]

A mortician writes...

Practically all of the knife victims I have come across through my work have been the result of kitchen knives, which are readily available and far better than a pen knife for stabbing someone. Are these people really as naiive/stupid as they seem?

 

[jerv]

For ?:%$%£"" Sake!

 

[Keith_Beef]

A mortician writes...

Practically all of the knife victims I have come across through my work have been the result of kitchen knives, which are readily available and far better than a pen knife for stabbing someone. Are these people really as naiive/stupid as they seem?

A rhetorician writes:

Do you really need me to answer that question?

I seem to remember also reading that a large number of fatal stabings involve other easy-to-acquire tools, such as screwdrivers.

It has also tickled me no end of times, to go into an airport where passengers are searched to make sure they are not carrying knives or other sharp objects, and these same passengers are openly encouraged to buy glass bottles.


Keith.

 

[outdoorgirl]

Indeed, I spend a lot of time flying around europe, and find it ludicrous that I am restricted from carrying safety scissors in a first aid kit, or matches/lighter, but I can carry a couple of bottles of ultra-strong vodka, a several tins of foodstuffs and a can opener. With the vodka bottles I can not only severely maim someone with the broken glass, but could also start a fire with the 'lens' of glass and the alchohol itself (hey, I could take a fire piston on board too)... With the food tins and tin opener (especially the old style tin openers, not the ones you use to take a 'lid' off the tin), I can fashion a perfectly serviceable metal knife...

I know that the authorities have to do (and be seen to be doing) what they can to reduce the threats on flights these days, but I do think they are being somewhat ridiculous and impractical...

Sorry for the rant...

 

[gregorach]

For those in Scotland who want to write to the appropriate authorities to object to this nonsense, note that as this is a Scottish Executive proposal, you need to write to your MSP, rather than your MP.

You can find your MSP and how to contact them here.

 

[Graham_S]

E-mail sent to my msp.