- Joined
- Jan 20, 2009
- Messages
- 28
In England it is illegal to have a pointed or bladed instrument in your possession in a public place without a very good reason. A public place is anywhere that the general public has access to (even if they have to pay), such as roads & highways, sports areas, pubs, shopping malls & shops, footpaths and any other public right of way. The English police also have search and seize powers without a warrant with respect to knives and your vehicle is also classed as being a public place whilst it is on the public highway.
There is an exemption to this rule for small folding pocket knives that have blades with a length of less than three inches (this applies to the cutting edge and not the total length of the blade) and blades which do not lock and are readily foldable. This kind of knife is often referred to as a slip joint knife and classic examples of this type of knife are the Victorinox range of Swiss Army Knives. In England these small folding knives may be freely carried by anyone but if any person wishes to carry a knife other than this in a public place then they must present a good reason for having the knife if they are ever requested to do so. A good reason would be for the carrying out of work or trade, for use in legitimate leisure activities such as hunting or fishing, for religious reasons and also if it is part of the persons national costume.
You need to be over 18 in order to buy a knife in England. It is also an offence to sell a knife to any person under 18 years of age.
Visitors to England should note that carrying a knife or any other type of weapon for self defence is totally illegal. Even self defence sprays are banned here if they contain any noxious substances, such as pepper spray or CS gas.
Visitors to England should also be aware that many types of knife that are freely available in many other European countries and the USA are banned here. Examples of bladed items banned in England are switchblades, gravity knives, butterfly knives, push daggers, belt buckle knives, knives with knuckle dusters incorporated into their design, knives that are not readily detectable by security equipment (sometimes called stealth knives), throwing stars, ninja claws, combat knives and knives that are disguised as other objects i.e. pens and cigarette lighters.
Swords with a curved blade of 50 cm or more are also banned in England, although there is an exemption for genuine antiques.
Be aware that Britains laws relating to knives and other weapons will possibly be tightened shortly yet again as there has been hysteria in the media recently concerning knife related crime and knee jerk legislation may follow, particularly are there may be a general election in the near future.
Please also be aware that the laws relating to knives and knife ownership may be slightly different in Scotland.
I hope that this information is useful to someone and I am pretty sure that this information is correct (I did used to work in a gun shop where I sold knives) but don't hold me responsible for any possible mistakes.
You use this information at your own risk!
I would advise you to contact the UK police if you require any further information regarding this subject.
There is an exemption to this rule for small folding pocket knives that have blades with a length of less than three inches (this applies to the cutting edge and not the total length of the blade) and blades which do not lock and are readily foldable. This kind of knife is often referred to as a slip joint knife and classic examples of this type of knife are the Victorinox range of Swiss Army Knives. In England these small folding knives may be freely carried by anyone but if any person wishes to carry a knife other than this in a public place then they must present a good reason for having the knife if they are ever requested to do so. A good reason would be for the carrying out of work or trade, for use in legitimate leisure activities such as hunting or fishing, for religious reasons and also if it is part of the persons national costume.
You need to be over 18 in order to buy a knife in England. It is also an offence to sell a knife to any person under 18 years of age.
Visitors to England should note that carrying a knife or any other type of weapon for self defence is totally illegal. Even self defence sprays are banned here if they contain any noxious substances, such as pepper spray or CS gas.
Visitors to England should also be aware that many types of knife that are freely available in many other European countries and the USA are banned here. Examples of bladed items banned in England are switchblades, gravity knives, butterfly knives, push daggers, belt buckle knives, knives with knuckle dusters incorporated into their design, knives that are not readily detectable by security equipment (sometimes called stealth knives), throwing stars, ninja claws, combat knives and knives that are disguised as other objects i.e. pens and cigarette lighters.
Swords with a curved blade of 50 cm or more are also banned in England, although there is an exemption for genuine antiques.
Be aware that Britains laws relating to knives and other weapons will possibly be tightened shortly yet again as there has been hysteria in the media recently concerning knife related crime and knee jerk legislation may follow, particularly are there may be a general election in the near future.
Please also be aware that the laws relating to knives and knife ownership may be slightly different in Scotland.
I hope that this information is useful to someone and I am pretty sure that this information is correct (I did used to work in a gun shop where I sold knives) but don't hold me responsible for any possible mistakes.
You use this information at your own risk!
I would advise you to contact the UK police if you require any further information regarding this subject.
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