Going to be on TV

this is a very interesting topic, and for many reasons I believe that this is the BEST forum for such.

I don't know about giving anyone hell or whatever. If anything, this rising tide of concern regarding knife violence definitely puts knife enthusiasts on the defencive.

Custom knives have the unique potential to steer the entirety of the knife industry in certain directions, all things being equal vis a vis market demands and the like. There is a circular nature to the production/demand thing. Custom knives are at the VANGUARDtm of the cutlery industry;).

That custom knives are gaining attention as a 'collectible' and/or as Art is very helpful, as are the utilitarian knives which we are seeing more and more of- whilst the 'weapons grade' knives are, in my view, becoming less prominent.

I've always been sceptical of the practise/mentality of lumping guns and knives together. I understand the overlapping interest, although I do not subscribe to it. I feel that guns serve only one real purpose, while the purpose of knives, as tools, is almost infinite. I'm not knocking guns, but let's face it, they are made for killing living things. When knives are 'equated' with guns, task-wise, I am not surprised that those 'charged with protecting the public' set their sights on taking more knives out of more people's hands. I don't agree with it, but like I said, that attitude doesn't surprise me.
 
what I find interesting Keith is that the home of guns in Canada now is so uptight about knives. best to keep knives separate from guns though. Be sure to emphasize the CKCA and point CTV to the site as well as CKG.
 
Here's an idea from a former Army public affairs weasel :p When you meet with the mayor perhaps you could bring a few "sheeple friendly" knives for him to look at and have the TV station there to video him meeting with you. You may have to have a follow up meeting with him and invite the media there for that, he'll probaby be leery of journalists at the initial meeting. Video of him fondling some custom knives would make his position on knives rather weak. I've used similar situations in my career to get things done and have helped prevent senior officers from falling into the same trap.

I know this sounds really crappy to do but like I said I was an Army public affairs weasel at the end of my career. :( They'd do it to us if they thought of it.
 
I didn't see the interview on CTV Newsnet last night, maybe it only aired on the local CTV network.

As requested, if you have access to an electronic copy of the interview, it would be nice to have a chance to view it.

Kevin
 
Good for you Keith. You are no doubt good for presenting our view. :thumbup:
If there's anything the CKCA can do you know we are fully behind you.
 
Yes, it was only on the local CTV station. It was the first story. I wasn't able to record the show, but I will see if it is possible to get something from CTV.
 
We can all do our part too even if this seems small. I will send an email to the mayor and share my concerns about this too. No doubt the anti knife lobby people are sending letters of support for this short sighted bill. We should do the same to protect our rights and our knives.
 
Bufford said:
We can all do our part too even if this seems small. I will send an email to the mayor and share my concerns about this too. No doubt the anti knife lobby people are sending letters of support for this short sighted bill. We should do the same to protect our rights and our knives.
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Just to clarify, if the Mayor is looking to ban certain knives within the City of Edmonton that would be accomplished by passing a bylaw, not a bill. The bylaw would only be enforcable within Edmonton City limits. The danger is, once one city passes a bylaw of this nature, it becomes more likely that other municipalities may choose to follow suit.

If the Mayor is seeking Provincial or Federal bans all he can do is lobby those governments for change.

Just mentioning this because any letters written will be more effective if we first fully understand the Mayor's intent (municipal, provincial, federal) and then accurately identify our concerns with his proposal.

Kevin
 
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Someone should bring up the example of the city of Kennesaw, Georgia to this mayor. In the late 70's home invasions were out of site in Kennesaw so they passed an ordinance that required home owners to own a pistol. As far as I can find this ordinance has never been enforced in any way but, just the thought that every home in the city has a pistol in it cut the home invasion rate to almost nothing within months of the ordinance passing.

Almost 30 yrs later Kennesaw still has one of the lowest home invasion rates in America.

Perhaps the best answer is to allow public carry of firearms ( in conjunction with severe punishments for mis use of firearms), the thought of trying to stab or even shoot someone who you are 99% sure has a gun on them will be a determent. I believe it will also lower the overall crime rate though that may be offset by the "misuse of firearms" crimes it causes.

Please don't read into this the rantings of a gun nut, I'm just offering a solution that has worked in the past.

David


Also, if anyone can prove to me a situation where disarming the public has actually resulted in a lower crime rate I would love to see it.
 
Dag-nabit said:
I also now know the Mayor is considering a municipal ban on the sale of large knives in Edmonton only.
Kevin
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Define "large" :rolleyes: Would that mean every chef in town would have to turn in their knives? This mayor seems to be looking for headlines, not a solution. I didn't see anything in there about harsher penalties for any violent crime, increased police presence, or anything else that might actually help. Just make everyone a criminal for owning a knife. How frustrating.

Perhaps you could get a petition going, just to say "We think this is a bad idea." I bet owners of local gun shops, sporting goods stores etc etc would let you put up petitions for folks to read/sign in their stores.

Thank you Keith, for trying to present some common sense to these people.
 
Mayor Mandel "I'm going to ask our law department if we can ban knives in the City of Edmonton, ban the kind of selling of those knives," he said Sunday.

The spree of knife violence has Mayor Mandel outraged, looking into the possibility of banning the sale of large knives in the city.

Ok, now what are large knives? width, length?

However, one woman who lives near the city's latest murder scene supports the ban.

"I think it's a good idea," said Tiffany Draves.

I wonder what knives she has in her kitchen?

No mention anywhere in the piece or on air of what kind of knife was used in any of the stabbings. No mention if those involved were "known to police". Lots of Gangs weeding out the chaff lately.

How happy will the butchers be and will those wanting to buy meat will they be happy when they can't get their "cuts"? Oh, and I'm sure the Alberta Cattlemen will be thrilled but then again, maybe they can stop raising cattle and just scratch out a living producing oil.

I think this Mayor is trying to compete with David Miller of Toronto who is on his usual anti gun tirade almost weekly.
 
James_Terrio said:
Define "large" :rolleyes:
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That's a big part of what makes no sense, how do you determine what is going to be banned or not banned based on size.

It is also unnecessary. The Canadian criminal code already gives an attending officer sweeping powers to deem almost any knife a restricted weapon, at their sole discretion, depending on the specific circumstances at the time.

For example you can legally carry a non-concealed 5-7" (or longer) hunting or survival knife in Canada. Get approached by a police officer or wildlife officer while you are out in the wilderness hunting/camping/fishing they are likely going to deem your knife a "camp tool", no problems.

Carry the same knife in an urban setting and a police officer has the jurisdiction to deem it a "weapon", confiscate it, and press charges. All based on their assesment of the situation.

So if the criminal code, as it stands, hasn't prevented criminals from carrying and using knives, then it makes no sense to believe restricting the sale of certain knives will prevent criminals from carrying and using knives in the commission of an offence.

"You can outlaw guns, but outlaws will still have guns"..... You can outlaw knives but ........

Interestingly the same Mayor, back in 2006, made a public statement in response to escalating knife violence calling for stiffer penalties for offenders, increased police presence, and the need to understand the problem to effectively deal with it. This was a more level headed response, but apparently he has failed to reach the the fundemental understanding that it is people who kill people.

Kevin
 
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Dag-nabit said:
Just mentioning this because any letters written will be more effective if we first fully understand the Mayor's intent (municipal, provincial, federal) and then accurately identify our concerns with his proposal.

Kevin
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That is why I would like to meet with him.
 
Dag-nabit said:
Interestingly the same Mayor, back in 2006, made a public statement in response to escalating gun violence calling for stiffer penalties for offenders, increased police presence, and the need to understand the problem to effectively deal with it. This was a more level headed response, but apparently he has failed to reach the the fundemental understanding that it is people who kill people.

Kevin
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This is a very good point, within a sea of good points which you made in your post. Understand the problem? What a concept!:jerkit:

Kevin for mayor!!!
 
The American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI) could be a perfect resource for you Keith, as you prepare to meet the mayor. Here's their link: http://www.akti.org/

This whole thread and not a single mention of AKTI? I realize we're talking about Canada but the AKTI has a lot of depth in experience that they would surely be willing to share. Why not contact them?

In fact, why not join them, make a donation and get the newsletters. Meet and greet the AKTI folks at BLADE where they've had a big display every year.
 
Good advice Buddy. The AKTI is a very good resource. AG and Goldie Russell are Chairman and President.

We have a "Knife Issues, Politics and Law" forum on the CKCA website where we post and monitor issues the AKTI is working on.
 
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