Thread: Assault Knives

bye bye, now....

I would imagine California will lead the
pack, followed by Massachusetts.

The insanity of it all. These people lack
one basic thing - common sense.

They need to be run out of town on a
rail.


Terry

Here's a link to a thread from the British Blades website. There is an embedded link to the BBC showing pictures of representative blades being banned. Humourus.

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/...hlight=amnesty

Yeah...it's pretty funny. For a while U.S. Customs were seizing assisted opening knives, which by definition aren't switchblades, gravity knives, etc. UK knife laws were the reason Spyderco designed the UKPK, which is actually one of my favorite knives of theirs. It was initially only for sale in the UK market, which prohibits locking blades. One thing I've come to discover in my almost 34 years of life, and 11 years in law enforcement; legislators and common sense rarely have anything to do with one another. Criminals, by definition, don't obey the law, so laws only affect the law abiding. The AKTI (American Knife & Tool Institute) is a great resource for researching law and legislators, as well as pending legislation affecting knife owners. The anti-knife crowd, while less visible than the anti-gun crowd, is just as active, and just like the anti-gun crowd, exhibits an admirable lack of common sense. And just in case those out there reading this think this doesn't affect you; a razor is a knife. The fact that it has a very specialized use just gives the anti-knife crowd more reason to go after it. They can't really attack your steak knife, but they can your razor, since it can be used to cut and attack people (ask any old-time prostitute) And I feel about my knives the same way I, and many others, feel about my/their guns: They'll have to fight me, and beat me, to get them. In LA, the only knives I'm aware of that are illegal for the average citizen to carry are auto-opening knives, folding knives with blades over 6" (OAL over 12"), and fixed knives with blades over 12". That's just off the top of my head...there may be more I'd have to research a bit. There isn't, as far as I know, any type of restriction on the type of locking mechanism...of course we have a Democrat governor, so that may change. Not that there's a huge difference between a Democrat and a Republican when it comes down to it. Both are whores who bribe people with their own money. The difference seems to be that Republicans want to control the way you behave, and Democrats want to control the way you think. Ok, enough ranting.

Frank wasn't quite right about the British knife carry laws. You don't need a "Good Reason" to carry a sub 3" non locker, though it wouldn't be advisable to take one to the pub of an evening! They are legal carrys here.

You can also carry a lock knife or a fixed blade WITH GOOD REASON. You'd probably get away carrying a sizeable fixed blade if you could prove you were off to some sort of woodcraft.

You do need to be pretty certain you'd get away with it though!

Personally, my everyday knife is a small Spyderco which does lock. I'm 54 and look fairly respectable so the chance of me getting stopped on my way to work are pretty slim!

Gareth

Originally Posted by Galopede

Frank wasn't quite right about the British knife carry laws. You don't need a "Good Reason" to carry a sub 3" non locker, though it wouldn't be advisable to take one to the pub of an evening! They are legal carrys here.

You can also carry a lock knife or a fixed blade WITH GOOD REASON. You'd probably get away carrying a sizeable fixed blade if you could prove you were off to some sort of woodcraft.

You do need to be pretty certain you'd get away with it though!

Personally, my everyday knife is a small Spyderco which does lock. I'm 54 and look fairly respectable so the chance of me getting stopped on my way to work are pretty slim!

Gareth

Gareth,
You are technically correct under the 1997 Act, however, given the current anti-knife climate, the police will ask why you are carrying any knife.
You can always dig your heels in and claim your right under the 1997 Knives Act, but I wouldn't like to try it

You are not correct about the 'sizeable fixed blade' however. Your analogy of 'going off woodcraft' would not be sufficient for you to have the knife on your person - it would have to be stowed away in your luggage and not easily accesible. ANY sizeable knife would require a Cast Iron reason why you had it on your person, and not wrapped up and securely fastened.

Thanks for all the comments. I think the key thing in the UK is reasonable use for an activity. I'm not in the habit of carrying a knife on me except for certain activites, for example scuba diving I used to carry at least 2 and a pair of shears, if I'm fishing I'll have the knife in my fishing bag, if I'm hiking or camping my knife will be in my pack unless I'm actually using it. Never in my pocket or on my belt etc.

I never carry a knife if I'm just out and about, at work or at the shops etc. So my only real worry with regard to knife laws is that it'll be confiscated by customs when it arrives. Is there any danger of that happening?