Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slims (Post 2615428)

?? You can't even carry a pocket knife?

Some of the knives people are talking about here are certainly illegal and even on a first offence could get some grey days, because of the high profile of a number of stabbings involving people under 18, the police and govt are very hard into knife crime at the moment.

Basically anything can be an offensive weapon in certain circumstances, and some things are ALWAYS an offensive weapon in any circumstance.

The UK Law:

Quote:

it is illegal for any shop to sell a knife of any kind (including cutlery and kitchen knives) to anyone under the age of 18

it is generally an offence to carry a knife in public without good reason or lawful authority (for example, a good reason is a chef on the way to work carrying their own knives)

the maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and a fine of £5000

knives where the blade folds into the handle, like a Swiss Army Knife, aren't illegal as long as the blade is shorter than three inches (7.62 cms)

Offensive weapons

If a knife is used in a threatening way (even a legal knife, such as a Swiss Army knife), it is regarded as an 'offensive weapon' by the law. This is also the case with things like screwdrivers - once used in a threatening manner, they are treated as offensive weapons. It is an offence to carry an offensive weapon in a public place, if you don't have a reasonable excuse. This means that carrying something that could be viewed as an offensive weapon, and then using it in a threatening way, could mean that you are prosecuted. The penalty is up to four years' imprisonment and/or a fine.

There is a complete ban on the sale of certain types of knives categorised as offensive weapons, regardless of their use, these include:

flick knives - knives where the blade is hidden inside the handle and shoots out when a button is pressed; these are also called 'switchblades' or 'automatic knives'

butterfly knives - where the blade is hidden inside a handle that splits in two around it, like wings; the handles swing around the blade to open or close it

disguised knives - where the blade is hidden inside something like a belt buckle or fake mobile phone