Owners of weapons, including zombie knives, could face prison under new law

Owners of certain weapons, including zombie knives and brass knuckles, could face prison time if found with them under a new law.

It was already illegal to possess a knife or offensive weapon in public, but the Offensive Weapons Act – which came into force on Wednesday – makes it illegal to possess certain rapid-fire rifles, specific types of knives and other offensive weapons in private.

The list includes zombie knives, cyclone knives, brass knuckles, death star knives, movie knives, gravity knives, batons, disguise knives, push daggers and other offensive weapons.

Anyone illegally possessing a firearm covered by the ban faces up to 10 years in prison, and anyone possessing another covered weapon faces up to six months in prison and a fine.

Home Secretary Priti Patel warned that anyone found in possession of the weapons “will be subject to the full force of the law”.

She said: “Lives have been lost to serious violence, and this ban will help save lives by taking more knives and other weapons off the streets and out of the hands of violent criminals.

“The human suffering and injury caused by the tragic loss of life due to violent crime is unacceptable. That's why the Government will stop at nothing to give police the powers they need to stop violent crime and protect the public.

“Starting today, anyone who illegally possesses one of these deadly weapons will be subject to the full penalties of the law. »

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Graham McNulty, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead on tackling knife crime, said the law will make it more difficult for young people to obtain weapons.

“We welcome the changes to the legislation introduced by the Offensive Weapons Act,” he said.

“These measures will help officers seize more dangerous weapons, deal with those who intend to use them to cause harm and suffering and, above all, make it more difficult for young people to obtain knives and other dangerous objects. »

From December last year until March, the government collected 14,965 knives and offensive weapons returned by owners under a scheme allowing them to claim compensation upon exchange.

More than 32,000 pieces of auxiliary equipment have been handed over, along with 1,133 “rapid-fire” firearms, and the Interior Ministry has processed 829 compensation claims.

Another legal amendment, the Antique Firearms Regulations 2021, also provided the first legal definition of an “antique firearm” to prevent criminals from acquiring weapons for illegal purposes.

This means that owners of firearms which are no longer classified as antiques have until September 22 this year to apply to the police for a firearms certificate which will allow them to legally possess these weapons or surrender them .

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