Knife-ban ??

[Gully]

You would clearly have to have a common sense approach, if that is possible, to determine the reason for carrying a knife. Clearly a chef with a case full of knives travelling to and from his place of work, or indeed someone like a carpet layer with the tool of his trade would be included, how about a surgeon with a bag full of scalpels? However there is a big difference between carrying the tools of your trade and just being tooled up!

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Why does a chef,need to carry knives to work?? Are they not already there? Spot on Gully. As for jails build more.

 

[Gully]

Fair comment, how about the type of chef who works as an outside caterer or cooks for people in their own home/place of work, he would probably have his knives as part of the equipment carried to do his job. I also accept that there are numerous professions who would use knives/sharp objects as part of their trade, however they would probably travel from job to job in a van and it is unlikely that they would be on the bus/train or in the street with them on their possession.

It just seems to me that even the dimmest cop would be able to determine whether the object was being carried for professional or malicious purposes. Perhaps that is the way that the law should address the problem, there would need to be proof that the knife/sharp object was being carried with malicious intent, even if that was under the mis-conception that it was being carried for self-protection as so many of the individuals interviewed in the media cite as reason to carry.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

The police should be able to search anyone anytime ....

I'd have no problem with this as I have nothing to hide ...

The people who will claim it infringes their civil libertties or human rights are probably the scum who are carrying a knife or drugs (or something the law says they shouldn't)

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Spot on,Shropshire

 

[Gully]

I have always believed that the Police should be able to set up road-blocks and carry out vehicle and breathaliser tests, if you are sober, have an MoT and insurance you have nothing to fear, if not you deserve everything that the law can throw at you. Infringement of my civil liberties, absolutely not if it gets people off the road who have no right to be there.

 

[Clive Walker's slaphead]

At last some sensiblilty from people. Dropnuts Swede or what ever his name is must either have something to hide or is one of these 'PC freaks' who sees anyone questioning them as against their civil rights. I would rather be stopped and questioned/ searched than have a knife sticking in my guts.

 

[bhaexpress]

I carry a knife most of the time as its on my Leatherman. Oddly enough I've hardly ever used the knife on it but I have used the other tools often.

 

[Beach Hut]

I handed in a switch-blade a few years back. Have to say some of the knives handed in are lethal, don't understand the need to have one now.

 

[Davey Boy Smith]

Maybe I can clarify some of the 'points' for people as I am a Special Constable therefore have an idea what Stop and Search grounds are for knives...

Basically when on duty I can stop anyone and search them if I have a 'reasonable' suspicion that they are carrying a pointed/bladed article. All knives are illegal to carry UNLESS they are a folding knife with a cutting blade of less than 3 inches. All lock knives and fixed knives are illegal to carry on the street. It would then by the suspect's role to explain to me and the court the reasons for carrying that knife. If these are acceptable e.g. just bought it and in a carrier bag with a receipt from that day or a chef on the way to the work, carpenter with a stanley knife etc than that will be explained to the officer who will make a judgement on the truth of that.

It is then up to the court to decide if s/he is guilty and what sentence s/he receives.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Very good Davey boy,but still bang them away for YEARS!! Knives are out,ok.End of story.