Anti Knife Campaign in UK

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VorpelSword

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Here is what is going on in the UK regarding knives.


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VorpelSword said:
Here is what is going on in the UK regarding knives.


beh7vrmxxm9a1.jpg
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They run these regularly all over the country. Every county (think U.S. State) and some of the bigger cities, has its own drives to 'do something to show how much the police are doing' and one of them are these knife amnesties.
Most police stations have a knife amnesty box outside, so the local police can show how effective their community engagement has been and how the youth are surrendering their 'deadly weapons'.
The UK knife laws are fairly stringent, but the legal wording leaves some wiggle room or interpretation to allow for reasonable use of knives. I don't think they are great, but they are not as draconian as many people think.
 
Ruari said:
They run these regularly all over the country. Every county (think U.S. State) and some of the bigger cities, has its own drives to 'do something to show how much the police are doing' and one of them are these knife amnesties.
Most police stations have a knife amnesty box outside, so the local police can show how effective their community engagement has been and how the youth are surrendering their 'deadly weapons'.
The UK knife laws are fairly stringent, but the legal wording leaves some wiggle room or interpretation to allow for reasonable use of knives. I don't think they are great, but they are not as draconian as many people think.
Click to expand...

Can you legally walk around town with a Buck 301 slip joint pocketknife in your pocket?
 
000Robert said:
Can you legally walk around town with a Buck 301 slip joint pocketknife in your pocket?
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Yes. All blades are under 3" and it's a slipjoint.
The nuances are WHERE you are and what you'redoing/why you have it on you. If you get searched at a bar/nightclub in the evening, expect to have it confiscated. Going into a 'public place' with any knife or blade raises the hackles and people who don't understand the knife laws would probably err on the side of removing the threat than sticking to the guidance. If I went into town with Buck 301, in the day, to do some shopping, chances are exceptionally slim I would even be stopped anyway. But if I was, I would be within my rights to not have it confiscated. If I was going to pop into the movies, I'd pro ably leave the knife in the truck anyway, just not worth the hassle of getting stopped (albeit an exceptionally slim chance).
The 'good' outcome of the knife laws in the UK are that if you look like a neat, professional, respectable person, there is a highly unlikely chance that you will be stopped and searched. If you look like some druggie thug in tracksuit bottoms and sneakers, then the chances are higher.
 
Also, having something which people recognise and associate with 'less intimidating' knives plays into your favour. Eg. having a classic Victorinox - people associate it immediately with camping, Scouts, geeky nerd. A Buck 301 would probably also be regarded as 'non-threatening' as it's a little 'old timey'. A completely legal Spyderco UKPK with a black blade would probably be regarded as more 'intimidating' and so raise eyebrows.
So, if in the UK, and you can't possibly go without a knife on you, go for something that is 'benign' as possible.
 
Ruari said:
Yes. All blades are under 3" and it's a slipjoint.
The nuances are WHERE you are and what you'redoing/why you have it on you. If you get searched at a bar/nightclub in the evening, expect to have it confiscated. Going into a 'public place' with any knife or blade raises the hackles and people who don't understand the knife laws would probably err on the side of removing the threat than sticking to the guidance. If I went into town with Buck 301, in the day, to do some shopping, chances are exceptionally slim I would even be stopped anyway. But if I was, I would be within my rights to not have it confiscated. If I was going to pop into the movies, I'd pro ably leave the knife in the truck anyway, just not worth the hassle of getting stopped (albeit an exceptionally slim chance).
The 'good' outcome of the knife laws in the UK are that if you look like a neat, professional, respectable person, there is a highly unlikely chance that you will be stopped and searched. If you look like some druggie thug in tracksuit bottoms and sneakers, then the chances are higher.
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That sounds draconian to me, but it could be worse. I believe that California has a 3" blade limit on concealed carry knives.
 
Ruari said:
Also, having something which people recognise and associate with 'less intimidating' knives plays into your favour. Eg. having a classic Victorinox - people associate it immediately with camping, Scouts, geeky nerd. A Buck 301 would probably also be regarded as 'non-threatening' as it's a little 'old timey'. A completely legal Spyderco UKPK with a black blade would probably be regarded as more 'intimidating' and so raise eyebrows.
So, if in the UK, and you can't possibly go without a knife on you, go for something that is 'benign' as possible.
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The only way I will leave the USA is if I win the lottery and can afford to pay for some trained bodyguards.
 
000Robert said:
That sounds draconian to me, but it could be worse. I believe that California has a 3" blade limit on concealed carry knives.
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That's for fixed blades, you just need to open-carry it, no statewide restriction, however some counties like LA make more laws against open carry. Manual folders of all sizes, good to go.

BTTLBRN said:
.... 8 years ago.
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May as well say '23 on there, though.

My heart goes out to the UK. This much thought over where to bring a SAK or something is unfortunate. Once, I forgot my Police 4 on my desk running out for an evening movie, and when I noticed my empty pocket, I was annoyed, instinctively. Not because I needed that knife, because its become part of my dressing, like forgetting your watch even though you have no extremely pressing need for time-telling going from here to there. I had at least a SAK, though.

About the tracksuit thing, still a shame, I don't care what you take, what your doc gives you, whether you're an alcoholic bum, or your path in life, you deserve to cut your food (or whatever stuff needs it) with a good, safe knife. If you have not menaced anyone or done anything wrong with that knife, then it's gravy; one should be treated as responsibly as they act, imo.
 
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Ruari said:
.... If I was going to pop into the movies, I'd pro ably leave the knife in the truck anyway, just not worth the hassle of getting stopped (albeit an exceptionally slim chance). ...
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Not that I go out to the movies anymore but I wouldn't dream of opening a box of Milk Duds without a blade. It's not just the arthritis that has crept into my fingers over the years or the nerve damage that I've accrued. Tearing or ripping into a package just feels uncivilized to me.

Of course, I say this from the privilege of a place where government poses almost no restriction on my ability to carry any blade or almost any gun I want. Coincidentally, the streets in my town are not running red with blood. For all that freedom, neither "gun violence", "knife violence", fisticuffs nor teenagers playing the "knockout game" are a regular occurrence. Threats to safety are rare and the tools of defense are common.
 
Chronovore said:
Not that I go out to the movies anymore but I wouldn't dream of opening a box of Milk Duds without a blade. It's not just the arthritis that has crept into my fingers over the years or the nerve damage that I've accrued. Tearing or ripping into a package just feels uncivilized to me.

Of course, I say this from the privilege of a place where government poses almost no restriction on my ability to carry any blade or almost any gun I want. Coincidentally, the streets in my town are not running red with blood. For all that freedom, neither "gun violence", "knife violence", fisticuffs nor teenagers playing the "knockout game" are a regular occurrence. Threats to safety are rare and the tools of defense are common.
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Completely understand. I grew up with knives - everyone carried a knife of some sort, not for self defence, but for everyday tasks. Just about every kid over the age of 8 had a Swiss Army knife. This situation is largely due to politicians needing to be seen to be 'doing something'.
 
The anti-knife campaign is in it's infancy here in the States. Used to walk around with a fixed blade > 4" and a folder on my side. That will get you varying reactions in the Walmart these days. In the industrial workplace, they see them as safety violation. Kids in school are being programmed to be offended.
 
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