In a dramatic reminder why Knife Rights fights for you here in the U.S., effective September 1st the Australian state of Victoria is banning “machetes” with blades longer than 20 centimeters (7.87 inches). The law criminalizes, ownership, sale, use, or purchase of a machete without a government exemption which is very limited in nature. Victoria is the second largest state in the nation and most will recognize Melbourne, its capital, the largest city on the continent.
And, now that possession is about to be outlawed, Victoria launched a “Machete Amnesty” and put out over 40 “Safe Disposal Bins” at police stations. Shades of the formerly-Great Britian’s infamous knife disposal bins, you drop off your wicked machete to the overlords, but receive no compensation. The ban is to be enforced with severe penalties of up to two years in prison or a $47,000 fine (approximately $30,700 USD)!
Premier Jacinta Allan claims “these knives destroy lives – so we’re taking them off the streets.” I am reminded of the meme, “a rock in bad hands killed Cain, a rock in good hands killed Goliath…it’s definitely not about the rock, folks.” No machete ever picked itself up and hurt anyone.
The new statute does not include any definition of “machete” except the length limit of 20cm which includes all manner of commonly possessed knives. Defining an edged tool more than 8 inches long a “machete” seems absurd, even beyond the idiocy of the whole ban itself. Crocodile Dundee would be in deep trouble. Combined with the hefty penalties, the new law is ripe for abuse.
While there are exemptions for agricultural workers and traditional, cultural, or historical use, whatever that means, those desiring an exemption must meet some stiff rules and prove they are eligible to any law enforcement officer that stops them.
It’s never the inanimate object that causes violence, no matter how badly politicians want it to be so.
This came from Knife Rights, and was a part of their News Slice, later picked up on KnifeWire.com
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