Interesting things

[juliet]

• A Drug War Carol
• Birth month can affect health

Apparently an anti-knife-crime group want minimum 6 month jail sentences for adults caught with a blade less than 3 in (5 years for >3"). My immediate query was whether this would be intended to outlaw a standard penknife? (for reference, this appears to be a reasonably well-referenced summary of the current UK situation - it is OK to carry any non-locking folding knife under 3" on a daily basis; other knifes (e.g. locking knifes) are illegal unless you have 'good reason' to carry them) This would seem somewhat OTT (I admit that I may be biased - I've been carrying a penknife on a daily basis since I was a teenager).

Comments

[boyofbadgers.livejournal.com]

This does strike me as a bad law. Too much rests on whether or not the carrier has a reason to have the knife, of which there must be multitudes. I wonder how many convictions are obtained each year for carrying under the current situation.

[juliet]

The current law is bad, or the suggested change (which, note, the govmt are not in any way considering, as far as I can tell, owing as how they're not insane) is bad?

I don't think the current law is that bad, with the possible exception of the precedent-decision re locking knives. A hell of a lot of UK law rests on the decision/discretion of the court - and, in general, on precedent. The other alternative would be an exhaustive list of reasons why it might be OK to carry a knife (what about kitchen knives? DIY tools? outdoor-pursuits stuff (what they seem to call 'bushcraft' there)? under what circumstances?) which seems to me to be a worse idea.

[boyofbadgers.livejournal.com]

The suggested change. Having such a substantial minimum jail sentence when the illegality or not of the possession is so wide open to interpretation is what worries me. The last sentence was idle curiousity.

[juliet]

Yes, well, the group in question do appear to be a bit barking.

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

All mandatory sentencing laws are bad laws.