Knives, Scouts and the Law

Knives, Scouts and the Law Criminal Justice Act 1988. The Act details what is generally deemed to be an ‘offensive’ weapon and Section 139 particularly describes what types of knives are banned, those that can be carried in public and under what circumstances. The law in a nutshell Buying/selling knives • It is illegal for any shop to sell a knife of any kind (including cutlery, kitchen knives, Swiss army knives or axes) to anyone under the age of 18 Carrying knives • In general, it is an offence to carry a knife in a public place without good reason or lawful authority for example, a good reason is a chef on their way to work and carrying their own knives). • However, it is not illegal for anyone to carry a foldable, non-locking knife, such as a Swiss army knife, in a public place, as long as the blade is shorter than three inches (7.62cms). • Flick knives, butterfly knives and any other knife where the blade is hidden are illegal • If it locks open then the entire knife including the handle must be under 3" long. Knives and Scouts • Knives should be carried to and from meetings by an adult. • Knives should be stowed in the middle of a bag/rucksack when transporting. • Knives are tools and should be treated as such: use the appropriate tool for the job (don’t use a large fixed blade for carving or a penknife for clearing brush). • Knives should be stored away until there is a need for them to be used. • Campsites are considered public places (when used for a camp) and so knives are not to be carried. I think it is probably safest to assume that knives of any sort should not be carried by anybody to a Scout meeting or camp, unless there is likely to be a specific need for one. In that case, they should be kept by the Scout leaders and handed out as required. Know your knife and how to use it. First and last rule: You will cut yourself. It is up to you to control how infrequently and minimal the injuries you get are. To minimise the frequency of the blood letting consider this hard won advice. On first receiving your penknife (before you even open a blade) Look at the knife and see how it works, how the blades are held in place. Notice that the blades do not lock (see the Law above). Think what would happen if they closed on your finger. Opening the blades 1. Open the blades or tools one at a time. Opening more than one at a time will make it difficult to use and tricky to close the blades. Sometimes it helps to open other blades first, but close the unwanted ones before using it. 2. Consider what the blade can and cannot realistically achieve. You will learn by experience but do not expect more of it than is likely. Many blades will snap off if used as a screwdriver on a stiff screw, for instance. Using the blades 1. Always cut away from yourself. In particular never cut towards your thigh or groin as there is a big artery tucked in here which can be life threatening if damaged. 2. Practice using those bits you are uncertain about. The tin opener really works and quickly, but not first time: you need to know the knack. Practice at home, not when hungry at camp in the fading twilight. 3. Practice holding the knife so that, should it snap shut, your fingers are free of the closing blade. 4. Maintain your knife; if it is unoiled and stiff with mud you are more likely to push the wrong way or slip onto the blade trying to close it. First and last rule: You will cut yourself. It is up to you to control how infrequently and minimal the injuries you get are. There is an element of coming-of-age about getting your first penknife; a mastery of your own environment with a tool that is too dangerous to be trusted on mere children. Knives are truly life savers when in extreme situations and using one can be very satisfying when not; knowing how to use one is something everyone should be prepared to learn, scouts in particular. .

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