Being interested in all three of the items in my thread title I would like to clear up a couple of question on their legal use.
With the knife issue I know the law well so do not need to go into that but along with the other items it's a question on where the items can be lawfully used?
I realise that on privately owned land with permission you have free reign to use all these items as long as you abide by the relevant laws. But on land private or public, where there is unhindered access (a public place) I am unsure on what restricts you from using the items legally?
Obviously trespass on private property which is a civil matter is the first issue but I can only see carrying a firearm (airgun included) as being an issue with any of my items as this could be seen as 'Armed trespass'? Also there are laws about shooting and having permission so I'm pretty clear that you should only shoot where you have permission.
Having a knife, catapult or bow and arrow on such land though is another matter? If you are engaged in a lawful activity while on accessible private land but without permission what is the law that could land you in trouble? Non of these three items are restricted or offensive when used in a lawful way and it's only the knife, if not an EDC, that requires a 'reasonable excuse' which you would have if doing bushcrafty things. It's only the fact you don't have permission to be there which is the issue?
It's the same with public land, woods, moors, commons etc... airguns need permission to use that's undisputed. Cattys, knives and bows though when used lawfully and respectfully, what gets a person into trouble if used on this type land? Knifes again you may need a 'reasonable excuse' which you will have if you are engaged in a lawful activity but as you don't own the public land you are on what's the deal? ? Bows and catty's have no restrictions that I can find, are on no offensive per say weapons list so their use on public land is covered by what law?
The only law I know that could be used is the offensive weapons act but unless you are being an idiot or are threatening or causing distress then I am unsure if this law could be used? A police officer must believe an item is going to be or is being used to harm for it to be an offensive weapon so using these three items respectfully as a hobby is there an issue? The issue is not that you don't have a 'reasonable excuse' to use the items but that you don't have permission to use them in that location?
Now I don't use my airguns on anything but private land with permission. Also I never carry a knife other than an EDC on private or public land without permission either which means at the moment I'm restricted to my house and garden for non EDC.
Having just bought a nice catapult I am unsure where I can use it other than my land? Can I take it to the local woods and discreetly do some target practice or over the park in a quiet corner or on a walk over the fields on public footpaths? What prevents a person from setting up a target boss and doing a bit of archery practice in these same areas?
Over the public park you can kick a ball, use a cricket bat and ball, fling a Frisbee or a toy boomerang or a golf set without fear as they are all lawful activities but mention catties or bows or quietly whittling with a knife or axe which are also lawful activities then things become cloudy?
So to summarise my ramblings, what law are you breaking by using a knife, catty or bow and arrow in lawful activities on accessible private or public land?
Steve.
With the knife issue I know the law well so do not need to go into that but along with the other items it's a question on where the items can be lawfully used?
I realise that on privately owned land with permission you have free reign to use all these items as long as you abide by the relevant laws. But on land private or public, where there is unhindered access (a public place) I am unsure on what restricts you from using the items legally?
Obviously trespass on private property which is a civil matter is the first issue but I can only see carrying a firearm (airgun included) as being an issue with any of my items as this could be seen as 'Armed trespass'? Also there are laws about shooting and having permission so I'm pretty clear that you should only shoot where you have permission.
Having a knife, catapult or bow and arrow on such land though is another matter? If you are engaged in a lawful activity while on accessible private land but without permission what is the law that could land you in trouble? Non of these three items are restricted or offensive when used in a lawful way and it's only the knife, if not an EDC, that requires a 'reasonable excuse' which you would have if doing bushcrafty things. It's only the fact you don't have permission to be there which is the issue?
It's the same with public land, woods, moors, commons etc... airguns need permission to use that's undisputed. Cattys, knives and bows though when used lawfully and respectfully, what gets a person into trouble if used on this type land? Knifes again you may need a 'reasonable excuse' which you will have if you are engaged in a lawful activity but as you don't own the public land you are on what's the deal? ? Bows and catty's have no restrictions that I can find, are on no offensive per say weapons list so their use on public land is covered by what law?
The only law I know that could be used is the offensive weapons act but unless you are being an idiot or are threatening or causing distress then I am unsure if this law could be used? A police officer must believe an item is going to be or is being used to harm for it to be an offensive weapon so using these three items respectfully as a hobby is there an issue? The issue is not that you don't have a 'reasonable excuse' to use the items but that you don't have permission to use them in that location?
Now I don't use my airguns on anything but private land with permission. Also I never carry a knife other than an EDC on private or public land without permission either which means at the moment I'm restricted to my house and garden for non EDC.
Having just bought a nice catapult I am unsure where I can use it other than my land? Can I take it to the local woods and discreetly do some target practice or over the park in a quiet corner or on a walk over the fields on public footpaths? What prevents a person from setting up a target boss and doing a bit of archery practice in these same areas?
Over the public park you can kick a ball, use a cricket bat and ball, fling a Frisbee or a toy boomerang or a golf set without fear as they are all lawful activities but mention catties or bows or quietly whittling with a knife or axe which are also lawful activities then things become cloudy?
So to summarise my ramblings, what law are you breaking by using a knife, catty or bow and arrow in lawful activities on accessible private or public land?
Steve.
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