I was very surprised to hear the following statements from the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police on the Jon Faine radio program [1] on Monday Morning (10-Aug-2009); from the interview it would appear that anyone carrying a knife is planning on using it as an offensive weapon.
We are very concerned about a growing knife carrying culture starting to emerge here in Victoria.
– Simon Overland [2]
Chief Commissioner, Victoria Police
We need to clearly indicate that carrying a knife is not ok, let alone using one.
– Simon Overland [2]
Chief Commissioner, Victoria Police
… “I’m concerned about a 9.1 per cent increase in robberies where a knife was produced,” he said.
“We’ve seen the trend in other countries, such as the UK, where knife crime has increased, and become one of the most significant public order issues.
“We need to address this issue now, and these tougher random search powers will help us avoid similar trends.” … {Simon Overland} [3]
It is disingenuous to describing all knives as weapons, a knife is just a tool. As with any tool there is a correct handling procedure and a user should have training to use it safely and understand it’s uses. Overland does towards the end of the interview mention the “without a lawful excuse” clause.
In Victoria all knives are controlled weapons, and as such illegal, unless you have a legal use for them (eg. eating your dinner) giving you a “lawful excuse”.
‘controlled weapons‘ – which means a knife, other than a knife that is a prohibited weapon, plus the seven weapons listed in Schedule 2 of the Control of Weapons Regulations 2000 (Vic)
A ‘Lawful excuse’ in Victoria means:
* the pursuit of any lawful employment, duty or activity;
* participation in any lawful sport, recreation or entertainment; and
* the legitimate collection, display or exhibition of weapons.
It must also be taken into consideration that a person must not carry a regulated weapons unless it is carried in a safe and secure manner consistent with the lawful excuse for which it is possessed or is carried or is to be used. It is also important that when carrying a knife it should not be concealed (hidden).
Granted it is not lawful to carry a knife for the purpose of self-defence – but there are many more reasons to be carrying a knife. In Scouting we will normally be carrying a knife for sport or recreation purposes. The knife that we are using will also be either a fixed blade or folding knife.
“Correcting bad habits cannot be done by forbidding or punishment.”
– Lord Robert Baden-Powell
Founder of Scouting
Swiss Army knives, “scout” knives and pocketknives, as well as knives used in the course of work duties, are not prohibited when used in a lawful manner.
Perhaps if we were to instruct an educate youth on the use of knifes as tools, and the correct use of them as a tool we would prevent more knife crime than blowing hot air in the press? Perhaps a focus on the crime and stricter penalties for committing a crime – not more political posturing and meaningless amnesties [5] would be in order.
I think we’ll finish the post with the following;
Quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est.
(A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer’s hand.)
– Seneca the Younger
LINKS:
[1] OVERLAND DEFENDS NEW POLICE POWERS .. AND OFF AIR – THE DANGERS OF REPORTING YOUTH SUICIDE (2009-Aug-10) [ABC Melbourne]
[2] Hectic 10-8-09 (MP3) (2009-Aug-10) [ABC Melbourne]
[3] New weapons search powers for Vic police (2009-Aug-09) [ABC News]
[4] Australasian Knife Collectors (National Knife Collectors -Australia)
and the Victorian Prohibited Weapons Legislation [AKC]
[5] Hand in weapons ‘no questions asked,’ police urge (2009-Sep-14) [The Age]
