Petition seeks to have serial numbers on all knives sold

[Spencer Eagle]

I came across this utterly bonkers petition, started on the 7th of October on Change.org, to register all knives. Worringly it already has over 26 thousand signatures. It beggars belief how such dumb ideas can gain traction like this?
Petition

 

[British Red]

I came across this utterly bonkers petition, started on the 7th of October on Change.org, to register all knives. Worringly it already has over 26 thousand signatures. It beggars belief how such dumb ideas can gain traction like this?
Petition

There are hundreds of these initiatives, from firearms to knives to alcohol to chemicals. These proposals are rarely logical and almost never address the genuine most common causes of violence or crime. They are usually pursued through fear and whilst lacking logic have the universal hysterical appeals of "we have to SOMETHING" or "if it saves ONE life".


None of the people proposing them for "the sake of the children" ever seem able to explain how, if people are determined to do harm, they won't simply use a different item to inflict that harm. Sadly these proposals stem from hormonal reactions, not logic.

 

[Jared]

Can't see that going anywhere fortunately.

 

[Pattree]

I quite like the fundamental idea but it’s impossible to police.
We’ve already covered the problem of all the non-knife blades and where domestic knives merge into “other sorts of knife”.
Nope - can’t see it going anywhere either.

 

[Spencer Eagle]

Worryingly, If you look at the comments left by those who have signed the petition, the vast majority are saying they have signed only to express their disagreement with the idea. Unfortunately, and according to the law of unintended consequences, nothing they wrote will reach the eyes of Parliament, only their signature backing the proposal. So, I'd advise anyone not to sign just to comment, it's artificially increasing the validity of the petition.

 

[just_john]

Doesn't top the MP calling for all knives to have gps trackers fitted. They walk among us.......

 

[Wildgoose]

So every household in the uk would have a number of knives attributed to it? Would take a massive database to hold and maintain all that information.

Cars are serial numbered and have registration plates on show but people still use cars to commit crime.

Can’t see this one getting off the ground.

 

[Paul_B]

There is a precedent for giving something that can be used in a dangerous and illegal way a unique number that can be linked back to someone. Can you guess what that is? The automotive vehicle.

Not sure that precedent helps their argument because there is supposed to be increasing numbers of cars being driven illegally due to no insurance, unsafe state, no VED, no valid driving licence, etc. That's before you get into motoring offences from speeding to dangerous driving.

Registration numbers won't ever work without 100% enforcement. If you could do that then you'd probably be better served putting it towards actually targeting knife crime and the causes. Still it let's them feel like they're doing something. Possibly that's the only good thing, good for their mental health and grief process if they've lost someone from knife crime.

 

[TeeDee]

Ghost knives..

 

[Chris]

Wait til the gang members stabbing each other learn how to use a £4 metal file to file the numbers off. Or learn to just make something sharp themselves very easily…

The hysteria about the most basic of human tools, which we have used since caveman times and will continue to use for vital every day tasks for millennia to come, is truly pathetic.

 

[slowworm]

It would make those who offer a knife grinding service sound a bit dodgy...

Not only is it a daft idea at first glance but when you think about it what about Stanley knives and other craft knives? Does each blade have to have a unique number, does there have to be a register and what about the billions of knives and blades in circulation?

Mind you, they have started to bring in multiple serial numbers for firearms so who knows what'll happen. And some of the recent knife laws don't seem that well thought out so who knows.

 

[GreyCat]

It's barking mad.

It is also very naive.... can you imagine, there's a crime been committed, and only 5,000 knives registered in the 500 metre radius of the crime, LOL

GreyCat

 

[Broch]

It really isn't worth discussing

 

[demographic]

Yeahbut just think of the kittens we might save?

Do they have serial numbers for each knife model, each manufacturer or do we have to have longer blades so we can fit all the numbers for all the knives sold in the UK?

 

[Paul_B]

These petitions should have a vetting process. If they're so unfeasible then they should be told to get the signatures in person with proof they're eligible to vote.

Let's put it this way, it's too easy to set up a petition. I'm all for it, but where's the effort like petitions of old? There's something more worthy about the traditional petition of thousands of hand signed and human collected petitions. Anyone can start a petition in a few places very easily, then just leave it to fill up over time. Get a special interest forum to notice it and take it on then you're there with it. Plus I suspect there's a lot of people who enjoy looking through new petitions and signing any they remotely think are worthy. Too easy imho.

 

[Poacherman]

I came across this utterly bonkers petition, started on the 7th of October on Change.org, to register all knives. Worringly it already has over 26 thousand signatures. It beggars belief how such dumb ideas can gain traction like this?
Petition

It's quite silly u could easily remove the number.

 

[Laurentius]

Might just as well demand that all males over the age of 16 should have their dongs registered, you know that will make the streets safer for women.

 

[Chris]

Might just as well demand that all males over the age of 16 should have their dongs registered, you know that will make the streets safer for women.

Best hope they get to me whilst the serial numbers are still in double digits or they’re out of luck.

 

[Poacherman]

Might just as well demand that all males over the age of 16 should have their dongs registered, you know that will make the streets safer for women.

Best hope they get to me whilst the serial numbers are still in double digits or they’re out or luck.

Yeh triple digits for me lol

 

[gibson 175]

I am ahead of the curve, I have already applied for a carrot slicing knife licence.