A....amnesty for knives!

[Avicenna]

You've got no knoves? No problem, get this here baseball bat

[scooter_the_shooter]

I have a question!



I am 15 and carry 3in lock blade every where I go, its also a money clip on the other side. But it's advertised as a "close quarters self defense knife" I just carry it because it's a nice little tool. Would I be an evil anti social thug in the UK for carrying it?


Also you'd never know its a knife unless you saw the other side.

[English assassin]

I have a question!



I am 15 and carry 3in lock blade every where I go, its also a money clip on the other side. But it's advertised as a "close quarters self defense knife" I just carry it because it's a nice little tool. Would I be an evil anti social thug in the UK for carrying it?


Also you'd never know its a knife unless you saw the other side.

Ah, well that would be an unwise thing to carry in the UK for a reason we haven't touched on, namely that anything adapted or designed to be a weapon, is a weapon. (and therefore basically unlawful in a public place.)

So, on the basis its just a lock knife, you would have been OK so long as you had a good reason for carrying it (being a nice tool would not really be enough, unless you had a reason for needing the tool). But as its advertised as a "close quarters self defense knife" (as opposed to a long range knife presumably) you'd be in serious danger of being done on that basis regardless of your reason.

Again this is all slightly arbitrary.

[scooter_the_shooter]

You guys got some strange laws over there And with all I hear about "happy slapping" and drunk teens beating the hell out of people I don't think I'll ever visit the UK.


While were talking about the UK how bad is all the happy slapping and such...or does the news just exagerate(sp?), it sounds like you got a bunch kids raping, beating, and stealing at will

[English assassin]

While were talking about the UK how bad is all the happy slapping and such...or does the news just exagerate(sp?), it sounds like you got a bunch kids raping, beating, and stealing at will

Its fine, really. Sure, there are some scrotes, but not a big deal. No more than in the past if you ask me.

It's when happy slapping doesn't make the news any more we will need to worry.

[Slyspy]

Ceasar that knife may get you into trouble because it is a locking blade I think, though it may be small enough to avoid this. It will certainly get you into trouble because it is a disguised weapon. As noted in the article an number of disguised weapons are completely illegal. Even if your knife isn't covered on the banned list I'm sure any inventive copper could find a reason to confiscate it.

Edit:
Better to be happy slapped by a bunch of drunk teens with knives or without? In fact will a pocket knife help in the face of a determined assault by such a gang? Besides which such behaviour is not as widespread as all that. To be honest I believe that the amnesty is really after more than pocket knives ie combat and hunting knives, swords, bayonets etc.

[scooter_the_shooter]

Ceasar that knife may get you into trouble because it is a locking blade I think, though it may be small enough to avoid this. It will certainly get you into trouble because it is a disguised weapon. As noted in the article an number of disguised weapons are completely illegal. Even if your knife isn't covered on the banned list I'm sure any inventive copper could find a reason to confiscate it.

.

I am in America where I *think* it's legal.

[Red Peasant]

I am in America where I *think* it's legal.

So, if a cop stops you in the US, presumably because they may suspect something, and find you packing a blade, then they'll say 'Ok sonny, that's fine, cool weapon, have a nice day'. Strange country. In this country, I hope they throw the little toe-rag in a cell and dish out a big fine at least. We don't want citizens carrying weapons on the streets. Full stop.

[Crazed Rabbit]

The success of that policy must be the reason for this new knife amnesty.

And besides, can't let the sheeple get any uppity ideas.

Crazed Rabbit

[Red Peasant]

The success of that policy must be the reason for this new knife amnesty.

And besides, can't let the sheeple get any uppity ideas.

Crazed Rabbit

The knife 'amnesty' is a PR stunt by the govt, just to raise awareness on a problem. Yet, you didn't reply to the scenario I outlined about being stopped by a cop whilst packing some form of weapon in the US.

And if you think we are sheep over here, then I invite you to step into our fair country for a while. You may find that these 'sheep' can bite you pretty bad

S'funny though, but if I based my view of Americans solely on the offerings on this forum, then I imagine that you all walk the streets in fear, armed to the teeth with handguns, rifles, automatic weapons, swords, knives, baseball bats, body armour, etc. etc. etc. How do you guys live?! Sounds like the sickest kind of society to me.

[scooter_the_shooter]

So, if a cop stops you in the US, presumably because they may suspect something, and find you packing a blade, then they'll say 'Ok sonny, that's fine, cool weapon, have a nice day'. Strange country. In this country, I hope they throw the little toe-rag in a cell and dish out a big fine at least. We don't want citizens carrying weapons on the streets. Full stop.

So now I am "toe rag"


As long as I don't run around and cut people; I fail to see the problem.

[Kaiser of Arabia]

I'm never living in England, the gun rack on my pickup woudn't fit well

Although I have neither a pickup nor a gun rack. I do carry around a 4.5-in German pocket knife usually, but that's so I have some form of defense against rapists and muggers and all.

[Red Peasant]

So now I am "toe rag"


As long as I don't run around and cut people; I fail to see the problem.

Wasn't referring to you in particular, but if you are running around with a blade then ... well, the label fits

[Masy]

I believe this amnesty is all rather pointless, knives have perfectly legitimate reasons (camping, fishing, boy scouts etc), and those who would have a knife for another, less legal reason, may not be so inclined to give theirs up. Why would some thug throw away their precious tool of mayhem because they have been given an easy means to? Furthermore, I would like to say that any complete bans on knives would also be futile, aside from incriminating fishermen and the like, an alternative would just become popular. In Glasgow -still the knife capital of Britain i think- people have been killed with screwdrivers, nails, even a steel hair brush...what then? Ban metal? Ban sharp plastic? There is an interesting quote from somewhere, i think it's "a sword is never a killer, it is a tool in the killers hand". Someone wants to jump you, they'll do it regardless of whether they have a store bought knife or a sock full of batteries. Guess i'm just trying to say that people too often blame the weapon, and rarely seek to target the causes of such problems.