My attitude is that you cannot prevent violence by banning the carrying / possession of a particular type of tool. At best it simply moves the problem and those bent on violence use a different tool. Its rather like the playing around with opening hours and drinks prices to prevent binge drinking in pubs - it gave rise to "pre-loading" where youngsters drink a lot of cheap vodka before they leave home. Now there is talk of increasing the price of cheap vodka..they will simply move on to the next method.
For me we need to:
1) Stop making laws that inconvenience the majority. If someone intends to commit an assault, they will find the means.
2) Punish an action - not a possession. I don't care if someone carries a knife - I do care if they stab someone.
3) Stop looking at part of the picture. Its irrelevant if "knife crime" goes down - if "hammer crime" goes up. Sound bites and targets don't work.
4) Accept that the police cannot prevent crime or protect people from attack - any more than they can prevent speeding or drunkenness. Their job is to catch offenders. We must allow people the means to prevent crime in their own homes, neighbourhoods etc. I don't blame the police, but its an acknowledged truth that we have policing by consent in this country - a tiny proportion of the people are police and they cant be everywhere. Remember - when seconds count, the police are only minutes away!
For me we need to:
1) Stop making laws that inconvenience the majority. If someone intends to commit an assault, they will find the means.
2) Punish an action - not a possession. I don't care if someone carries a knife - I do care if they stab someone.
3) Stop looking at part of the picture. Its irrelevant if "knife crime" goes down - if "hammer crime" goes up. Sound bites and targets don't work.
4) Accept that the police cannot prevent crime or protect people from attack - any more than they can prevent speeding or drunkenness. Their job is to catch offenders. We must allow people the means to prevent crime in their own homes, neighbourhoods etc. I don't blame the police, but its an acknowledged truth that we have policing by consent in this country - a tiny proportion of the people are police and they cant be everywhere. Remember - when seconds count, the police are only minutes away!