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Views wanted on licensing scheme for knife dealers |
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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 |
A consultation on a new scheme which would see dealers of non domestic knives licensed by a local authority, and obliged to comply with conditions set out by the Scottish Government, has been launched.
Detailed written records of how a customer's age and identity were verified, full descriptions of knives sold and a ban on displays visible from the street or public entrance are among the conditions proposed for those who sell non-domestic knives.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “This Government is taking action to tackle our problem with violence and knife crime - from tough enforcement to educating young people about the dangers of carrying a weapon.
“There is no doubt that weapons such as hunting and combat knives can, in the wrong hands, be part of this problem. They can injure, maim and kill, and we need to make sure they are only sold to people with a legitimate reason for buying them.
“That's why I want a new licensing scheme for dealers of non-domestic knives, that includes tough conditions to give more detail on each weapon sold and who it was sold to.”
The consultation on a licensing scheme for dealers of non-domestic knives is available from www.scotland.gov.uk. It will run until October 22, 2008.
The Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 gave Scottish Ministers the power to introduce a licensing scheme for dealers of non-domestic knives.
MacAskill added: “We are also suggesting that anyone seeking to buy a sword must be able to prove the intended use - for example by producing a membership card or letter from a society with a recognised reason for using swords.
“People with a legitimate reason for owning non-domestic knives having nothing to fear from this, we are particularly looking for views from interest groups. This is designed to help stop these lethal weapons finding their way on to our streets and into the hands of those that seek them to do damage to another.”
One person has commented on this article. 1. Views wanted on licensing scheme for knife dealers
Frank Feechan, Unregistered Which type of local government service would enforce the knives licensing scheme ?
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 July 2008 )
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