The following is a copy of a post from another forum I belong to (fishing) the post is from a serving Tasmanian police officer and may clarify what has changed. For me it's all good.
I think it is important to note, that this is not a new law. Its simply a change of the law that has been around for a considerable amount of time. It puts the onus on the owner to explain why they are carrying the knife rather than the police having to prove they had the knife for an unlawful purpose.
Having been in the police for 10yrs now, it will make Tassie a safer place. It will allow us to seize knives off youths and others that regularly, if not always, carry knives it public places such as shopping centers, and bus malls. It will also allow us to seize machetes that people keep in the side consoles of their vehicles for personal protection.
How will it affect most people?
If you are not a regular client of police, I doubt it will have any impact on how you go about business. That being said, if you carry a knife for a lawful purpose, its quite simple to take it off and put it in the boot of your car before you go to a public area to avoid any police intervention. In terms of how the world is these days, the public definitely perceive persons carrying knives as a negative.
Yes has soon has I read the the highlighted information displayed by the first post it was plain who the law was for and the sooner they crack down on the grubs carry knife the better most would not know what the real use of knife , Never used a knife and fork in their life .
I know what you mean Bruce...I pondered on this pic for 5 minutes before I realized Mick Dundee even had a knife...at least dressed like that she would have kept the flies off his cooked snags......lmao.....Hoo Roo
I've carried a knife in pocket/on belt since working as a deckie in Trawlers at 13.
Had one mainly in pocket ever since (there now)
Like a lot of blokes, been through the hunting skinning cycle of life.
I have even now. about 6 knives from those days (some custom, read expensive too)
Beside door in caravan.
Under my seat in car. Diving knife in hard sheath. and a security stick.
No way I,m NOT carrying my knife/nail picker Hair shaver for band aids, etc .
Same in Vic!! You can't even legally carry a knife in your tackle box! How many people carry those multi knives? They are illegal. Vic is Nanny state number! Have to add......only law abiding citizens take any notice of laws!! Where does this leave the innocent?
-- Edited by HunnyBunny on Saturday 16th of July 2016 05:15:22 PM
God Bless Australia imagine being in America where any maniac can buy a machine gun over the counter..
Not true!! You must have A.T.F. approval to own or transfer a machine gun in the U.S.A They are highly restricted & not available over the counter. As I said before though....only law abiding citizens take notice of the laws.
A similar Law/Bylaw ! in WA for the consumption of Alcohol in Public Places.
But we still are able to have a BarBeCue in the park and a glass of wine or beer or two or three, without being arrested.
As long as you are not getting Rat Ars#%$ the police or Rangers do not take any notice.
Families having fun and a social gathering responsible drinking habit. Or the Ugly party out there that is going to be trouble later on. The "Spirit of the Law" is used at the Police Officers or Rangers discretion.
I have never known any of my friends ,family or acquaintances, to apply for a permit to have alcohol at out outdoor gatherings.
Other States !
The maximum penalty for a minor to consume alcohol on licensed premises is an $2,000AUD fine.
It is an offence in Western Australia for persons of any age to drink in public, such as on the street, park, or beach without first having obtained a permit from the appropriate local government authority. Such permits are at the discretion of the local council - some public events have a total ban on alcohol consumption and no permits will be issued
That's been in for over a decade. Chefs travelling to work had to carry their knives in the boot of their car. Going fishing could be - interesting.
Just 18 months ago, in our old home town, a drug addict got off for stabbing a guy with a hunting knife, because he was 'afraid for his life'. He'd walked from the guy's house, to his car and back again before he stabbed him.
The law makers are useless............
__________________
The Mobile Madhouse: me (Rosie), him (Troy), a kelpie, a kelpie-dingo, a husky & a rainbow lorikeet.
Having actually read the info in the link it quite clearly states that carrying knives from a shop to home is a lawful use...
Supermarkets and other outlets sell knives loose. So, you'd hope that the law allows you to lawfully "carry" them from shop to home. Otherwise, how else would you be able to buy them (other than ordering online).
Thing is, this law doesn't stop anyone from using knives as weapons. Often, they're illegal ones anyway.
I have a Leatherman. It has its own pouch. It's clipped to my belt. I use it as a work tool. It's questionable as to whether or not I'm committing an illegal act.
And if I wanted to use it as a weapon by the time that I was able to unclip the pouch, get the Leatherman out, unfold it, find the appropriate knife blade, fold it out (after spending a minute trying to use my fingernail to unlock it) by then the other guy will have either run away or beaten the crap outta me...