Hi Guys
So I know Adrian did a post on UK gravity knife laws, but I really felt the need to open this up, not (as Adrian correctly says in his post) to start attacking the new laws, but to frankly try and understand them. As collectors (in the UK) we will want to make sure we are aligned with the latest legislation, but it seems this time the law is very unclear and difficult to interpret (at least from what I can see). The latest change from 19 July seems to apply specifically to bladed weapons being kept even in private.
So for those more informed and cleverer than me (i.e. most people on this forum), here are some questions I have, because all I have been able to find are a some two min police videos that are animated and go into no details what so ever:
- Swords... is a sword made before 1954 (that is curved and over 54cm long) exempt, or does it need to be an antique over 100 years old? Also, if it is machine made (i.e. a WW2 Japanese NCO sword), is it okay if it is before 1954, but not handmade (the NCO swords and others where machine made, although arguably hand finished as well)? And what about reproduction swords and knives?
- Are all gravity/flick knives banned, even those of historic interest made before 1954 (e.g. Fallschamaeger knives and British para knives of WW2)?
- Is the old exemption of knives of 'historic value or importance', or held in a private collection still applicable, or is this now no-longer taken into account?
- Are bayonets affected by this legislation? I understand they are a separate category to knives or swords
Anyone with an informed view please help us all out, or if there is a third party website where this kind of info is clearly spelt out it would be great if someone can send a link.
Or, mods pls feel free to lock the thread if this is a 'no-go' topic.
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