ACT New Zealand Law & Order Spokesman David Garrett today welcomed High Court Judge Justice Asher’s call for the Government to review laws on knife possession, and agreed that offenders should face tougher penalties.
“Carrying a knife without a reasonable excuse was once a serious offence that drew harsh penalties. In the softening up of the justice system that has occurred over the past 20 years the harsh penalties for knife possession have been lost. It is time for that to change,” Mr Garrett said.
“People – particularly young men – will always get into conflict with one another – a situation that can be made worse by alcohol. What would normally be a case of assault can quickly become deadly when knives are involved. If individuals are unarmed the risk of serious harm reduces dramatically.
“It’s too easy for would-be offenders to pick up a knife without thinking of the consequences. We need to send a message that knife possession is not acceptable in our society and harsher penalties will do this.
“If the Government is serious in its claim of taking a tougher stance on law and order, this is an area it cannot ignore,” Mr Garrett said.
#1 by Giles on February 25th, 2010
I hope this won’t mean that those amongst us who habitually carry an innocuous penknife like a multi-tool Swiss Army knife or Leatherman are banned from doing so. There must be a limit to ‘prior constraint’ in this subject. Not all knives are deemed as offensive as a sheath knife or carving knife carried unnecessarily.
#2 by m2urray on March 5th, 2010
I agree that the restrictions on the carrying of knives and the penalties for doing so need to be toughened up. However there are circumstances where the carrying of knives is justified i.e. for the purpose and in the course of conducting ones trade or business e.g. butchers etc So any new law needs to be carefully drafted.
#3 by James Read on March 5th, 2010
Sikh members of our community carry a small knife as well as having 4 other symbols of their religious belief. I am curious to know how the law will destinguish between sikhs and meatworks on the one hand and those carrying them with a criminal intent on the other. I can reassure my fellow citizens that streets around the country’s Sikh temples are not littered with dead Kiwis.