And still no reason why you had to buy one - simply a list of reasons why you might (in some pretty obscure circumstances in some cases) require the use of one. If the 16 year old in question is responsible enough to be taking on such tasks (well, apart from eating - most can be trusted to do that) then I'm sure a responsible parent or other adult will purchase said knife for them. I did many of the things you describe, yet never purchased a knife until I was in my mid-20s - I had the knife my folks brought for me when I was in the scouts - a knife purchased based on the level of responsibility that they perceived I had attained. Seatbelts are better dealt with using a seatbelt cutter (keep it in the car, not on a person) btw.I'm sure there are 14 year olds who are capable of drinking a small amount of wine at dinner with their parents in a responsible fashion, but I don't think that allowing them to buy a bottle of Talisker is a good idea. I'm sure there are 10 year olds who could successfully drive a car, but I'm not going to suggest licencing them. In the US I'm sure there are 15 year olds who are competent to use a gun - should we let them buy them?Again. You were obviously responsible. You were allowed to carry a knife. Exactly the same thing stands in the UK. You just have to prove you are responsible to an adult and have them buy it.
@ macman7 I really hope you don't have kids because it seems to me that you'd have them grow up without any practical life skills at all, In the name of some perceived notion of protection. Lets keep them away from anything that could potentially be used with ill intent instead of teaching them how to use it responsibility. I've carried a knife for over 15 years now and I have never thought of myself as carrying it for personal protection. I live in a very well to do town where people drive Lexus's and Mercedes. The one time I have ever actually feared for my well being ( as most people would when surrounded by a bunch of drunks who clearly stated that they are going to beat the s**t out of you) I used my knife as a deterrent not as a weapon. I am certain that had I not had it or had such legislation existed in the states as it does in the UK, I would have been hospitalized. But I guess people like me shouldn't have the right to defend ourselves, nor should we be allowed to use a tool that has been around since man first crawled out of the caves because we might hurt ourselves and we wouldn't want that.
People have been heavily fined in England for trying to publicize the racial crime statistics, specifically that non-white immigrants commit violent crimes far out of proportion to their population. Why is this? Because, as I said, racism is the new witch hunting. Facts be damned. Egalitarianism is a brand spanking new religion, enforced by fines and imprisonment.
To my knowledge you can carry a folding pocket knife if the blade doesn't extend 3 inches, so if yours is only 5cm then you should be fine. It's still probably best not to go waving it around though.
From the Home Affairs Committee's Seventh Report on Knive Crime, May 2009: "In terms of knife-carrying, the 2008 MORI Youth Survey found "no significant difference in terms of carrying a 'knife or 'gun' across ethnicity overall".Also (slightly paraphrased):"in relation to the Royal London Hospital, which is in East London...the majority of the youth-related stab victims are Asian or black...Whereas knife offenders in Manchester, for example, would be more likely to be white.<a class="user" href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmhaff/112/11206.htm#a12" rel="nofollow">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/ ...</a>
We comment because you're all stupid. The freedom to own knives and guns is to protect against the government. Certainly there may be some casualties there as some people will choose to hurt others, but those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither and lose both.When your government starts abusing you and you can't fight back, you'll have nobody to blame but yourselves. Maybe we'll help you, if we're feeling generous.
rikfAug 28, 2009
And still no reason why you had to buy one - simply a list of reasons why you might (in some pretty obscure circumstances in some cases) require the use of one. If the 16 year old in question is responsible enough to be taking on such tasks (well, apart from eating - most can be trusted to do that) then I'm sure a responsible parent or other adult will purchase said knife for them. I did many of the things you describe, yet never purchased a knife until I was in my mid-20s - I had the knife my folks brought for me when I was in the scouts - a knife purchased based on the level of responsibility that they perceived I had attained. Seatbelts are better dealt with using a seatbelt cutter (keep it in the car, not on a person) btw.I'm sure there are 14 year olds who are capable of drinking a small amount of wine at dinner with their parents in a responsible fashion, but I don't think that allowing them to buy a bottle of Talisker is a good idea. I'm sure there are 10 year olds who could successfully drive a car, but I'm not going to suggest licencing them. In the US I'm sure there are 15 year olds who are competent to use a gun - should we let them buy them?Again. You were obviously responsible. You were allowed to carry a knife. Exactly the same thing stands in the UK. You just have to prove you are responsible to an adult and have them buy it.
skallymmAug 28, 2009
Then knives would be easier for kids to get than beer.
tbitsAug 29, 2009
@ macman7 I really hope you don't have kids because it seems to me that you'd have them grow up without any practical life skills at all, In the name of some perceived notion of protection. Lets keep them away from anything that could potentially be used with ill intent instead of teaching them how to use it responsibility. I've carried a knife for over 15 years now and I have never thought of myself as carrying it for personal protection. I live in a very well to do town where people drive Lexus's and Mercedes. The one time I have ever actually feared for my well being ( as most people would when surrounded by a bunch of drunks who clearly stated that they are going to beat the s**t out of you) I used my knife as a deterrent not as a weapon. I am certain that had I not had it or had such legislation existed in the states as it does in the UK, I would have been hospitalized. But I guess people like me shouldn't have the right to defend ourselves, nor should we be allowed to use a tool that has been around since man first crawled out of the caves because we might hurt ourselves and we wouldn't want that.
Closed AccountAug 29, 2009
People have been heavily fined in England for trying to publicize the racial crime statistics, specifically that non-white immigrants commit violent crimes far out of proportion to their population. Why is this? Because, as I said, racism is the new witch hunting. Facts be damned. Egalitarianism is a brand spanking new religion, enforced by fines and imprisonment.
drazen77Aug 30, 2009
Ah yes, ad hominem. All the left is capable of producing.
pihaSep 2, 2009
Poster said 'Essex', No citation required here.
cleanyoungbobSep 13, 2009
To my knowledge you can carry a folding pocket knife if the blade doesn't extend 3 inches, so if yours is only 5cm then you should be fine. It's still probably best not to go waving it around though.
cleanyoungbobSep 13, 2009
From the Home Affairs Committee's Seventh Report on Knive Crime, May 2009: "In terms of knife-carrying, the 2008 MORI Youth Survey found "no significant difference in terms of carrying a 'knife or 'gun' across ethnicity overall".Also (slightly paraphrased):"in relation to the Royal London Hospital, which is in East London...the majority of the youth-related stab victims are Asian or black...Whereas knife offenders in Manchester, for example, would be more likely to be white.<a class="user" href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmhaff/112/11206.htm#a12" rel="nofollow">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/ ...</a>
kgtheway2bSep 13, 2009
I know it's a false stereotype but damn that's funny!
kgtheway2bSep 13, 2009
Logical enough.
vtnerdSep 13, 2009
We comment because you're all stupid. The freedom to own knives and guns is to protect against the government. Certainly there may be some casualties there as some people will choose to hurt others, but those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither and lose both.When your government starts abusing you and you can't fight back, you'll have nobody to blame but yourselves. Maybe we'll help you, if we're feeling generous.