More controls on knives proposed

Retailer licensing scheme and extended bans in new consultation on stemming weapons culture

News, 29 June 2005

Proposals to introduce a licensing scheme for the sale of non-domestic knives and banning the sale of swords have been announced by the Scottish Executive.

The suggested measures are part of a new consultation on further controls on knives, swords and similar items frequently carried andn used as weapons on Scotland's streets. An order has also been laid before the Scottish Parliament adding non-metallic hunting or stiletto knives (often referred to as stealth knives) and straight side-handled and friction-locked batons to the list of specified offensive weapons contained in the Criminal Justice Act 1988. This will make it an offence to manufacture, import, sell or hire stealth knives and batons.

Among the measures on which views are now being sought are:

Licensing the sale of non-domestic knives - meaning any knife which has a blade or sharp point, and which is not designed only for domestic use, or only for food preparation. This would be accompanied by recording of purchasers' details;
Banning the purchase of non-domestic knives except from licensed sellers;
Licensing the sale of swords, with an additional condition that retailers could only sell swords to members of approved organisations;
A blanket ban on the sale of swords, with possible exceptions for ceremonial, religious, sporting or cultural purposes;
Banning the sale of samurai and similar swords; and
Licensing the purchase of swords on an individual basis, similar to the controls under existing firearms law.

Ministers have already consulted, as part of the Police Bill consultation, on doubling the maximum sentence for carrying a knife, giving the police an unconditional power of arrest when they suspect someone of carrying a knife or offensive weapon, and increasing the age for buying a non-domestic knife from 16 to 18.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said: "I am committed to reducing violent crime and tackling the weapon carrying culture - particularly amongst young males - that contributes to too many young lives being lost or scarred. This remains at the forefront of our drive to improve public safety.

"Making it more difficult to purchase a non-domestic knife will further deter those without a legitimate reason to possess a knife, and will compel the small minority of unscrupulous traders to sell non-domestic knives more responsibly. Alongside the other measures we are taking, we believe that this will contribute to a reduction in knife crime.

"Nobody living in a normal house or flat in an ordinary community needs a sword as part of day-to-day life. Those with a legitimate reason for needing a non-domestic knife or sword should not, however, be put at a disadvantage by these proposals. Some necessary administrative safeguards are a small price to pay to tighten up the availability of these weapons in the wider community."

She added that the Executive is also working with the police and other agencies to explore the root causes of weapon carrying behaviour, identify preventative measures which can reduce the likelihood of violence and develop early interventions.

From 1998 to 2003, of the 667 murders committed in Scotland, 323 involved the use of a knife. In the same period there were 14,463 convictions for handling an offensive weapon.

The consultation paper can be read at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/06/27110147/01518 . Responses are invited by 30 September.