Ban on wide range of knives takes effect

A ban on a wide range of knives, alongside other weapons and firearms, has come into force today (14 July).

Cyclone knives, spiral knives and ‘rapid-fire’ rifles are among those covered by the ban, as part of government action to tackle violent crime and serious violence.

A new legal definition of flick knives, banned since 1959, will see more of these bladed weapons being outlawed.

In addition, all weapons banned in public by the Criminal Justice Act 1988, including zombie knives, shuriken or death stars and knuckledusters, will now also be banned in private, meaning people can no longer keep them at home.

Anyone unlawfully possessing a firearm covered by the ban will face up to 10 years in prison and those possessing one of the other weapons can be sentenced to up to six months’ imprisonment or a fine or both.

“There is no place in our society for violent crime and harm caused by such knives and firearms. Lives have been lost through serious violence, and this ban will help save lives by getting more knives and other weapons off the streets and out of the hands of violent criminals,” Home Secretary Priti Patel said.

The provisions are set out in the government’s Offensive Weapons Act, which received Royal Assent in May 2019.