An amendment to the Police Offences Act 1935 comes into effect this week, clarifying provisions that ban carrying knives in public places unless there is a lawful purpose.The amendment enhances the original intent of the legislation, by allowing police to proactively remove knives from people in public places who don’t have a lawful reason to have them.Knives are the most common weapon used in crimes in Tasmania, and this change aims to ensure our public places remain safe and secure.The change is intended to improve public safety by removing knives from public places before they can be used to hurt people.People undertaking lawful activities that require use of a knife won’t be affected. For example, a tradesman who uses a knife in their work will be able to carry it on their way to and from work, and while they are working. Similarly, recreational activities will also be exempt. Eg people going fishing, camping or hunting can possess a knife for those purposesHowever people who regularly carry a knife, including a pocket knife or multi-tool, can no longer do so in a public place, unless pursuing a specific lawful activity for which the knife is required.
What about my pocket knife or multi-tool?Any implement containing a knife is covered by the change in law. This means pocket knives and multi-tools cannot be carried in public simply for the convenience of having access to them. However, if they are being used as part of a lawful activity (e.g. fishing, camping, employment) no offence is committed.
What Are The Categories Of Lawful Excuse Under The Legislation That Allow For Possession, Carriage And Use Of Knives?The legislation lists a number of lawful excuses for the carriage of a knife, or other dangerous article. These are not exhaustive, but include:the pursuit of a lawful occupation, duty or activity using that dangerous article;the participation in a lawful sport, recreation or entertainment using that dangerous article;the lawful collection, display or exhibition of that dangerous article;the use of that dangerous article for the lawful purpose for which it was intended; andReligious observance.Self-defence is not a lawful excuse that justifies the possession or carriage of a knife, or other dangerous article, in a public place.
Good suggestion. Same deal over here in Australia. But my experience is that cover it up if belt-carry and touch wood I never had one confiscated as yet. Also 2 coppers I know use/carry multitools. Seen some wearing Leatherman charges and I made a sheath for a copper last month. "Plain black". So I think some would be more lenient than others. But that would be debatable in the area. Country side vs city. Good subject anyway.
Maybe add a pocket fishing kit to your EDC. Now you have a lawful recreational purpose to have a knife with you.
I recently showed an oz cop my #7 opinel, I can't remember the exact words but he said to say something like "it's a pen knife used for pen knife purposes".
Quote from: zoidberg on July 07, 2016, 03:36:11 AMI recently showed an oz cop my #7 opinel, I can't remember the exact words but he said to say something like "it's a pen knife used for pen knife purposes".Hahaha. And what is defined as pen knife purposes? Cutting fruits to get patina on the carbon blade.
Hey TazzieRob,Is this just a Tazzie law or is it Australian federal law?Anyway it is just ridulous.The former laws in knife restrictive countries (UK, Oz, DE, some US States etc) were much better and left some room for interpretation by local officers, reasonable circumstances, and let's face it common sense - eg lockable not allowed, no OHO, must be under 3 inches etc etc But this is taking it too far - and to explicitly call out multitools and pocket knives as an element in major crimes (which they seem to be saying) is laughable, but outrageous and actually makes me quite angry. Regarding 'Lawful Excuse' - The whole point of carrying an MT/SAK is that you do not know when you are going to need them !!I love the idea of an MT religion - We clearly have that already here at MTo - We just need to get it recognised.I think our religion would be similar to Hinduism with multiple gods, all of different sizes, features and characters, and all offering different benefits to the worshippers - Re: Legitimate reason - Looks like you need to start carrying around a (collapsable) fishing rod alongside your MT then you'd be fine. If ever I were to be stopped, my legitimate reason (and this is quite genuine) woiuld be I use my SAK to cut up my daily apple. Food prep - always seems to be a legitimate reason - And of course when I get stopped and questioned the apple may well already have been eaten Not sure I would get away with this with an obstinate, angry cop tho'.Although my grey balding hair, lack of visible tats, dress and general boring old fart demeanour may help too
Quote from: Gohard on July 07, 2016, 03:53:04 AMQuote from: zoidberg on July 07, 2016, 03:36:11 AMI recently showed an oz cop my #7 opinel, I can't remember the exact words but he said to say something like "it's a pen knife used for pen knife purposes".Hahaha. And what is defined as pen knife purposes? Cutting fruits to get patina on the carbon blade.Any lawful purpose for which it was intended, opening smiths chips, cutting tags off shopping, scraping gum off your shoe...He said they're only removing knifes from certain people/situations and others don't need to be worried.
This sounds like a law designed to give the officers an excuse to stop people. In my experience officers don't like to waste their time enforcing stupid and unreasonable laws so they probably won't use this law unless they just need the excuse to stop or detain someone. If you're acting suspiciously they might stop you and claim they thought you might be carrying a knife. If they stop you for any reason and lack a sufficient cause to detain you they can claim they thought you might be carrying a knife. If they stop you for any other reason and you're being uncooperative or disrespectful and they want to pile on additional charges because they don't like your attitude, well, if you were carrying a knife...You had all better start being as inconspicuous as possible with your carry knives and tools and be cautious about when you take them out and who might see you use them.Carry a hand sharpened pencil at all times to show any questioning officers that you need the knife to keep your pencil sharp!
If ever I were to be stopped, my legitimate reason (and this is quite genuine) woiuld be I use my SAK to cut up my daily apple. Food prep - always seems to be a legitimate reason
So, I am quite seriously asking for people's constructive ideas on what a lawful excuse could be, if I'm not out hiking or going to and from work etc.
G'Day,Yip, nanny state here in NSW too. I work for Sydney Trains and ALWAYS have a LM on my belt. I have never had so much as a "What is that on your belt Mate?" There are often police officers on the platforms and we have exchanged a few chats and "Multi Show and Tells", but that is only if I ask them about their LM first. A lot of them have never seen a MUT and that one always get their approval or "I want one too". I believe that they often apply the "idiot meter", if it registers in the Red you have their attention, if not, no problem.Oh, and I never show them how quick the one handed blades can open I too will use the Food Prep excuse or on my way to a BBQ. When not in uniform I just have a small SAK in my pocket and the LM stays in my backpack. Common sense may prevail, I hopePete
but it seems to me that the middle aged white guy with no facial tattoos or giant Bond-villian-esque scars would probably be exempt from scrutiny, at least here.
After doing very little research into forming a religion......http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Start-Your-Own-Religion/Summary is:1. Choose a focus, a central theme, idea, or person. Multitools2. Create a central belief system, consisting of 2 or 3 main dogmas. Outdoors, Mechanical, self reliance and an acute understanding of how to get things done3. Design your rituals. Does reading and posting on the forum count as a ritual?4. Pay attention to aesthetics, in terms of materials, symbols, etc. MTO logo, followed by manufacturer logos to identify yourself as a Victorinist, Gerberist or 7 Day Leatherite?5. Choose your own role. Who are you in this religion? I am the Head Turd Polisher6. Advertise, advertise, advertise! I'm already looking at new shirt designs and we are already several thousand strong....I think we have that covered for the most part..... maybe a few tweaks here and there. MultiMat once came up with a Multitool.org handshake. We could probably use that.....Finally, a religious discussion we could have here......DefDef
Damn! you guys have it tough! New Jersey is actually very loose with its knife laws. As long as it's not an automatic or balisong, any folder 4" or smaller can be carried with no problems. As long as you're not being an ass with it, you're good.
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