Knife carry in Belfast Ireland

[kvaughn]

My 20 year old son will be going to school in Belfast for a semester in Jan. He's carried a SAK Farmer that I gave him for years. Can he carry it in Ireland? Thanx--KV

 

[MH13750]

I would think,since Belfast is in Northern Ireland(not the republic of Ireland), and is therefore considered part of the United Kingdom, it is under the rules of the UK. A close friend of mine,who has cousins residing nearby in Derry,told me that the rules are similar to those in Britain. Plus,there is a strong military presence in those areas, and they conduct checkpoints with searches. I would advise against carrying any knife at least until he is able to discuss this with local friends. Personally,people Ive met over the years that moved from Ireland(North and South) and Britain to the USA have always expressed surprise and concern when the discovered I carried any knife. And this includes a SAK. It doesnt seem to be common practice over there, at least in urban settings.