Knife laws in UK esp London

M

Mark Schmitt

Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
340
I have heard much of the draconian laws with regard to knife carry in the United Kingdom, but after doing several searches I have not come up with any definitive references.

Can someone point me to an online source for knife carry laws in and around London?

If anyone has any personal experience in the matter, that would be appreciated too.

I'm not looking to break the law...I respect the laws of any country I am a guest in...but I do like the utility of a handy pocket knife and would like to confirm that I will not be in the wrong.

Thanks in advance,
Mark
 
As a Brit now living in Texas I can say that the knife laws ARE pretty draconian compared with the good ol' U.S of A. At the bottom is a link by The General who posts here a lot and lives in Wales - hope it helps. Any British knife laws will apply wherever you are in the UK be it London or elswhere - I THINK (don't quote me).
It is sad! The press there are much more reactionary and the gov't believe in 'protecting people from themselves' (READ: Taking away personal freedom).

I know there is a 3" blade limit for carrying - so if you just want A knife handy maybe take a SAK or small Case folder - something sheeple (leave the Sifu at home!) On a recent visit to the UK I left all knives at home in Texas - arrgghhh, felt naked, big mistake! Bought a couple of small traditional folders in Paris (very liberal knife laws it seems) and on return to England nobody said anything. Anything vaguely military/martial arts seems to freak 'em out! Other than that have a great trip!!! Email me if you want advice on places to go/see!
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Neil
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
 
I'm no legal expert, but to clarify that slighty, if the blade locks out (even if it's 3" or under), then you aren't allowed to carry it without a "good reason", and self defence doesn't count before you say it!

In theory this means you could actually go to jail for carrying something like a Leatherman Wave. So basically you aren't allowed to carry anything apart from maybe a SAK or multitool, or something like a traditional type of non-locking folder.

Basically, you aren't actually allowed to carry anything specifically for self defence, and things like stun guns & pepper sprays are outlawed completely, so you can't carry them either. In view of this, you best remember it's 999 to call the cops here and not 911 - for all the good that'll do you when 4 guys are stomping on your face.
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Feel free to e-mail or ICQ me if theres anything else I can (try and) help with.


------------------
Jay/GuyInBlack
ICQ - 2678683

"I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable,
I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free
because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do"
 
Hi,

I did some surface research that seems to contradict what Guy in Black said. I could be wrong though...(read my current post in Knife Reviews)

Guy, can you tell me which statute/section says that a locking 3" folder is disallowed? The Criminal Justice Act did not mention locks...

Cheers
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History is littered with the wars which everybody knew would never happen. ~Enoch Powell, Speech to the British Conservative Party Conference, 1967~
 
Ad - You're right about the Criminal Justice Act not mentioning it, apparently it was established in "case law", anyways check out the KnivesUK url a bit further up this thread, theres some more info about it there as I recall. I have also checked with a British LEO who posts on the forums, and he basically told me the same...

wolfkiller - No teargas either.
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Just got back from the UK. Didn't know the knife/carry laws so I left my Commander @ home. Guess that was a good choice. But I felt safe in the knowledge that the Closed Circuit Cameras every 50 yards would be able to record and display the face of any potential assailant so my family would know who to blame at my funeral. Had to rely on the awareness/avoidance routinte.
 
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