Valkie is a being *slightly* histrionic with the serialised paint scrapers - but yes broadly australian state governments take big leaps with laws after every incident.
What's more frustrating is the populist methods - a politician will stand in the house of representatives and make a statement along the lines of "There is no reason a lawful person should have a knife on public transport!"
and everyone cheers "here! here!"
but...that's not true is it?
Some people catch the train to work, and they might have a lawful reason for a knife - tradies, chefs, students (who need to eat lunch, but do not have access to a "staff room" at their place of education), backpackers (tourism is one of our major exports....and any sensible traveler has a knife).
There's actually a bunch of lawful reasons why someone could have a knife...
but even that 45 seconds of desktop analysis is not conducted when it comes to driving legislative change in the wake of traumatic news story.
Without getting too into the political weeds - as a sort of "cultural explanation" for interested parties - the Australian States (Less the territories, because they are the "fun states" and generally have the least restrictive laws, not just in terms of knives, but for everything) - basically operate on a "who can be seen to be doing the most policing" platform - so every year they "tighten up" a Law about something or another to ensure they are "delivering safety". Then the other states find out, and "tighten up" their laws to "Bring them into alignment with other states" and so on....
So, obvious Knife Laws is a subject near and dear to the hearts of members here, in context, it might be worth considering that Australian states have on-the-spot fines for loitering, jaywalking, and even swearing.
For your safety.
Im an old F#$t and I still remember the old days.
At 10 I was given my first knife, when I joined the Boy Scouts.
I carried that knife everywhere (except school)
I used it to death, and even though it was a cheap Victorinox knock off, I loved that knife.
At 12 my friends and I got into spear fishing.
Fantastic pastime.
But, Because we were only 12, we had to use public transport to get to the beaches and rocks from where we fished.
we all carried spear guns and havasacks with our gear and, of course, our diving knives.
From 12 until I was old enough to drive, this was a very regular pastime.
most weekends in summer and a few in winter, off we would go, fully decked out with our huge spear guns.
In all those years, we were never once questioned or stopped by the police or any other authority.
I carried different knives (mostly tools as in Victorinox) all my life, used them for everything and anything.
Came in real handy too.
especially with the old bombs we drove and never carried any tools around in the boot.
My father always had a very sharp knife on him as well, an old Boker from memory.
It was used often to cut up fruit (which he loved) and fixing things.
for 70 years he carried that knife, the last 10 years he went to a small classic as knife laws were starting to worry him.
The most honest, placid and least dangerous man on earth felt intimidated for doing something he had always done.
I have quite a collection of knives now.
I trained in martial arts using hook knives and I have a few as well as a couple of rubber practice knives.
These things are seriously dangerous and I would never consider carrying them on me at any time.
They are pure weapons for serious damage.
But I also have many "Tools" SAK, Leatherman, SOG etc.
These are TOOLS, not weapons.
Having trained with weapons, I would never consider one of these tools as even remotely capable of being a fighting weapon.
They are just not ergonomic or designed as such.
Now, and especially with the current fixation on knives, I carry my TOOLS only when working or doing my volunteering with the Rescue organization I work with.
Its sad
And many times I reach for my TOOL to be disappointed that its not there.
What will our next loss of freedom involve?
My walking cane?
My working tools?
Pens, belts, bags, steel capped shoes?
The list can grow as each new "FEAR" is exploited by corrupt and incompetent grubberments.
Sadly, this is life.
There is one area that has me confused.
A particular religion is allowed to carry a knife.
The purpose of this knife is stated as Culturally significant and religious.
But the true historical purpose of said knife (as stated by a friend who carries one) is as protection against another, (not to be mentioned ) religion.
Go figure?
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