Moral and Legal repercussions of giving...

MelancholyMutt

MelancholyMutt

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Apr 13, 2002
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someone a knife...

I got extra inexpensive yet good knives that are just sitting there and I was thinking about giving them to someone...

What if that person was only 16?
Should I, or shouldn't I?
 
Do you know the parents? I've given combo kits with a pair of Bushnell 8x20 binoculars and a SAK classic to a kid or two, but only after parental approval, and then followed by a talk about the responsibility of owning and using a knife. And a stern warning about never, NEVER, taking it to school.

John
 
I've been giving them as graduation gifts to neices and nephews at the annual family camp out.

I've given a few as rewards in the local scouting program too.

There are contexts where a knife gift is pretty appropriate IMHO.

Phil
 
MelancholyMutt said:
someone a knife...

I got extra inexpensive yet good knives that are just sitting there and I was thinking about giving them to someone...

What if that person was only 16?
Should I, or shouldn't I?
Click to expand...

Very good question....and very timely for me personally, last fall my 20 year old nephew asked me for his first "good" pocket knife for XMASS and I was thrilled that he asked me to choose it for him. before I could, 10 days later he was arrested for possession of chemicals to manufacture Meth, and spent XMASS in jail and eventually pled to a lower felony and got probation. I thought very hard about it, and even though I had promised him a knife, I have decided to withhold it until he proves to me he has cleaned up his act. He is already back running with the guys he was helping make Meth, in violation of his probation, and while he has so far passed all his probation mandated drug test, I have refused to give him a knife until he abides by his probation, finds a job and generally proves to me he is responsible enough to have one. I have been critisized by some in the family for being to "hard on him" over a stupid pocket knife, but I feel I am doing the right thing.

I would be interested in feedback from other knife people though?
 
The eight, almost nine-year-old daughter of my fiance' recently got interested in knives, mostly because of my collection. She has a couple of "good" pocketknives, and several from the dollar store. But, I explained to her how they were to be used, and how they were not to be used. Except for one cut screen window (she lost her knives for a month) she's been pretty good with 'em.
 
If he's running with Meth heads, the last thing he needs is a knife.

I'd fear he would use it at the wrong time and then fess up you gave it to him. If he were to injure someone with it purposely, you could be a co-defendant [whether the prosecution won or not later ].

Not worth the trouble IMO.

Brownie
 
You should only give the knife if the parents agree. There are some parents who don't want their kids to have knives, but then some don't care (or just think it's a little creepy :D ). If the person is in your family and the parents are fine with it, I don't see why not. If you're a family friend there isn't a problem. Otherwise, you're best off not pushing it.
 
I got a knife as a graduation gift from my parents (it was the only thing I really wanted).
LC, I think it depends on the character of the kid. Just because he is running with "meth heads" doesnt mean that he is a bad person. The only thing I would worry about is if/what he uses. For example, I would not give a knife to someone who uses PCP as they have a greater chance of using the knife for violent acts. You said the kid has been clean. You know him and his personality and you should be able to make an informed decision about whether or not he can be responsible.
 
I received my first pocketknife as an award in scouts when I was 7. I assume that the leaders thought that I would be responsible enough with it, but we also had instruction on proper handling and sharpening. My mother wasn't too thrilled about it, but she got over it in time as I didn't do too much damage with it :D

I have in the past given a few knives as gifts to kids without asking the parents' permission, but these days I would be more hesitant to do so without asking first. As far as a 16 year old goes, If I'm thinking about giving them a knife then I know that they would be responsible enough to own one, and the parent's most likely wouldn't object.
 
chuhka said:
I got a knife as a graduation gift from my parents (it was the only thing I really wanted).
LC, I think it depends on the character of the kid. Just because he is running with "meth heads" doesnt mean that he is a bad person. The only thing I would worry about is if/what he uses. For example, I would not give a knife to someone who uses PCP as they have a greater chance of using the knife for violent acts. You said the kid has been clean. You know him and his personality and you should be able to make an informed decision about whether or not he can be responsible.
Click to expand...

So far he has never shown any violent tendencies, which is one thing I am thankful for, but having been an EMT I know that Meth can bring out violence in users after using it long enough.
 
The actual subject is Garageboy... having im's with him on and off for months, and also meeting up to teach him how to sharpen freehand, I have come to see that the kid is responsible and practical... He hides his knives in his basement and it doesn't leave the house. The only problem is, his mother won't let him have any, and his dad does not care...

Thanks everyone forchiming in... I can see that I was in his position when I was 16 and it pains me to be unable to help him.
 
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