The police have been instructed to arrest and prosecute ANYONE carrying a knife which doesn't comply with STRICT guidelines. In the past it was at the officers discretion- if you're reasonable/respectable they'll treat you as an adult, not any more. The actual law hasn't been changed, its the officers autonomy which is removed.
Personally I'm TOTALLY against weapons of ANY description on our streets (or anywhere else), but my knife is a tool- and is used as such- I'd never use it in a confrontation. I feel that police discretion is vitally important in recognizing the distinction.
THe police openly state that the danger is kids with kitchen knives (which are NEVER going to be made illegal- without severely affecting the food trade!), its ALWAYS been illegal to carry more than a 3" folding blade or ANY straight blade (which covers ALL hunting or kitchen knives) in public without good cause. I think we just need better enforcement of current laws, the only people who'll be affected by new directive are people who carry a tool rather than a weapon- I've had a pocket knife (which I carry all the time- except when going out in the evening) ever since I was 16, its an incredibly useful thing to carry. My old pocket knife is now illegal and I would face certain prosecution for carrying it- its a sub 3" locking blade (its been SLIGHTLY dodgy for a while- folding lockers have been legally in a gray area, and down to police discretion
they'd possibly confiscate, but you'd have to be an idiot to be prosecuted) now I cant carry it in public.- I've discussed it with a policeman friend, he commented that its a nice knife, but better to replace it rather than run the risk. (they aren't happy either).I've bought a new fully legal knife for use at work and home, but doubt it'll be long before carrying anytinng in public will be criminalised. I wouldn't object to licensing for knives, but its always going to be flouted by criminals.
What are your thoughts on this.
p
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