Nine people with life-threatening injuries after mass stabbing on train in UK
bbc.comI regularly carry a pocket knife.
What's astounding to me, an American, is that my doing so in England could put me in prison for four years.
Only if
* blade length greater than 3 inches, and
* you lack any reasonable response as to why you are carry it, and
* this happens repeatedly.
Once all the above occurs, you might be charged, you then have the opportunity to present your case and defend your actions, but only if a prosecutor looks at the details of the charge and decides to carry it forward.
To be sent to prison for four years (maximum) you would have also used that knife in a clearly threatening way that cannot be explained away by your defence lawyer. Even so, that is still unlikely to be awarded the maximum sentence, actual lunging and swiping with intent would probably be required.
Many people carry knives in the UK - Chefs frequently carry knife sets to and from work, for example.
- Australia: 10 years
- Singapore: 5 years
- Belgium: 5 years
- Germany: 3 years
- Switzerland: 3 years
- Japan: 3 years
- France: 3 years
- UAE: 3 years
- Italy: 2 years
- Spain: 1 year
We are not alone