New long awaited legislation has just been announced about the carrying of knives, knuckle-dusters, machetes, etc. As of July 14th 2021, miscreants will now be liable up to 6 months in prison, or a fine, or both.
Something certainly needed to be done about the drug gangs endlessly stabbing and killing each other on the streets of London. The BLM movement wants to stop the police powers of 'Stop and Search', as well as defunding the police. In reality, the police need to extend their powers of 'Stop and Search' (which I imagine they now will), and they also need increased funding.
It is also in the new legislation that if knives listed in the prohibited list of weapons are found inside someone's home, the owners will be equally guilty as if found outdoors.
I, myself, keep a small No 8 Opinel in the car, I eat with a No 9 Opinel, and, at this time of year I usually have a No 8 (or a specific mushrooming knife) in my pocket. I'm not yet sure how this would be seen in the UK; I may be clapped in irons if caught.
I note that the man in the photo is holding a long knife (with which I imagine he sliced that melon), as from the 14th this is now a crime, and his picnic could cost him 6 months in the slammer. Woe is he!
I thought it had been illegal to carry a knife in public in the UK for the past 4 years. Many stories abounded in our local paper in 2017 about innocent builders etc carrying knives to their work place and being stopped and fined by the police.
ReplyDeleteI must say, I was quite surprised to read about this new law. I too had imagined that such things were already outlawed. Maybe it's just the 6 month sentence that's new.
DeleteThe new bit is that it is now illegal to have these things in your home, in addition to the carrying in public - as I understand it. UK knife law - illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason, unless 3" or less, folding blade.
DeleteAll politicians do is virtue signal. We already have laws that enforced are more than adequate. Like firearms legislation it will only affect the law abiding and not the feral scum who seem to think it normal to kill folk. Import the third world and get the third world.
ReplyDeleteOnly time will tell if any knives are taken off the street. Even if they are, they only have to open the kitchen cutlery drawer to find more.
DeleteOh dear, that's going to make my trip back from John Lewis a bit worrying but I'm guessing I won't be stopped and searched - me being a white, middle class female.
ReplyDeleteJust don't hold a picnic in Sloane Square, and brandish a 12 inch bread knife.
DeleteDo you remember the metal combs we all had ? I think I remember them making it illegal to carry them especially the tail combs with the long handle ! XXXX
ReplyDeleteDidn't they have long pointed handles? Perfect weapons!
DeleteA week or so ago on one of our coastal walks P noticed a large hedge cutting knife tool, almost new and still in its sheath. It appeared to have been inadvertently left behind by one of the parish workmen so P picked it up in order to hand it in to the parish commissioners.
ReplyDeleteI was immediately struck by the implications if he was stopped and searched carrying this lethal looking implement. We were several miles from the nearest town though so he just carried it inside his many-pocketed "hunting and fishing" gilet until we reached civilisation.
Did he get nabbed when he handed it in? I do remember someone who found a shotgun over his hedge being arrested after he'd taken it to his local police station.
DeleteIt isnt the knives that are the problem,it is the sub humans that carry them for the purpose of stabbing some one.Just 3 days ago there was a stabbing at a beautiful local park in the afternoon.Lots of people about but the scumbags dont care.The police have lost all control in this country.xx
ReplyDeleteWhen did you last see a policeman, other than hanging about on motorways? These kids know there's very little chance of finding them; they all dress in black, with balaclavas, and hoodies, and fear nothing or no-one.
DeleteIt would be possible to have a knifeless picnic with potted meat sandwiches, small pork pies, piccalilli and cream buns with glacier cherries on top - all washes down with dandelion and burdock pop.
ReplyDeleteTizer for me, otherwise I totally agree.
DeleteHope the policeman who lives across the road doesn't see me with my gardening tools in the front garden.
ReplyDeleteA scythe or billhook could get you in deep water.
DeleteI would like to think the police could differentiate between an old geezer with a knife to cut fruit and a young person with a knife 'for self protection'. But you never know!
ReplyDelete"What do you intend to do with that Machete young man?"
Delete"Cut my Apple, Sir".
"OK, that's all right then!".
My Dad told a story about observing in court (NZ equiv of County Court) one day when the police sought to prosecute a shearer they'd caught carrying a knife in public. (Dad did say the age or ethnicity of the alleged offender.) The judge asked what kind of knife. "Pocket knife Your Honour". To which the judge replied by reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small paring knife and sitting it on the bench. "I carry a pocket knife. I use it to peel my oranges. Dismissed." Our laws on carrying knives are like the UKs but it seems at least one of the judiciary is prepared to consider WHY the person is carrying the knife, the use they intend to put it too. Many farmers carry folding pocket knives - Dad did -and it was used for everything from cutting haybale strings, to trimming footrotty sheeps hooves, to peeling turnips that kids wanted to eat.....yeah I know... yuck!
Delete6 months versus a slice of melon a hot day - not sure whuch would win with
ReplyDeleteYou'd have to toss a coin.
DeleteThere is the law and ideally common sense application of the law. Let's hope common sense prevails. Picnics rule and may they never be banished.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a stab in the back if they were!
DeleteI've never heard of an Opinel knife. Looks like they are available through Amazon. I think I might have to get one. They do offer plain carbon steel - which is usually superior for fine edges. Thanks for the tip. No barriers in the USA, yet. But we're always last....
ReplyDeleteOpinels are available in plain steel or stainless steel. I have about 12 in all (maybe more), most of them are plain steel, but my eating knife is stainless. Ordinary pocket knives are usually No 8 plain steel, and eating knives are No 9 stainless. I also own an Opinel mushroom knife which is stainless.
DeleteThe interesting thing about Opinel knives is that they are made in France. Here in Australia, all our knives are made elsewhere (China, Germany, anywhere but home). Because they fold up, Opinels are just the job for picnics or Caminos.
ReplyDeleteThe Opinel is a wonderful knife. So simple, and well made, they are an essential part of any pocket.
DeleteI have carried a penknife in my pocket all my life (and have had to surrender a few at airports as well). Usually a Swiss Army knife but occasionally when returning from France (by car) my Opinel.
ReplyDeleteThe law in England says:
It’s illegal to:
sell a knife to anyone under 18, unless it has a folding blade 3 inches long (7.62 cm) or less
carry a knife in public without good reason, unless it has a folding blade with a cutting edge 3 inches long or less
carry, buy or sell any type of banned knife
use any knife in a threatening way (even a legal knife)
There is, of course, a long list of banned knives.
Examples of good reasons to carry a knife or weapon in public can include:
taking knives you use at work to and from work
taking it to a gallery or museum to be exhibited
if it’ll be used for theatre, film, television, historical reenactment or religious purposes, for example the kirpan some Sikhs carry
if it’ll be used in a demonstration or to teach someone how to use it
A court will decide if you’ve got a good reason to carry a knife or a weapon if you’re charged with carrying it illegally.
The UK Government website does not appear to mention knives held in a home. I'm not sure how that would work.