Rarely does a day go by without the morning paper reporting that someone is either dead or seriously ill in casualty as the result of a knife attack. Carrying and using a kife as a defensive or offensive weapon was not part of Australian culture. Altercations were usually settled by fisticuffs - but it seems those days are gone forever.
Carrying of knives was brought to Australia by migrants. In some parts of the world - namely the middle east and latin America - society is brutal and without respect for law. Self defence is vital - and citizens feel that they need the protection of a knife.
The law here is adamant. Carrying a knife in public without a valid reason is an offence that is punishable. The problem is - that punishment is inconsistent and therefore widely ignored.
The use of knives is trickling down to younger age groups. This week saw an altercation between fifteen and sixteen year old schoolboys in school grounds. The argument was over a girl - and one of the lads was rushed to hospital with a knife wound in the stomach.
It is about time steps were taken to banish knives from our streets. If someone is caught with a handgun the punishment is much more severe than for a knife offence. Why is this so ? Both are weapons capable of inflicting death and yet young people who would fear carring a
handgun carry a knife with impunity.
Maybe we need a law change. Maybe if being found in posession of a knife on the streets was a sure and certain time behind bars many would ponder the wisdom of being so armed. Nothing will change while magistrates issue slap on the wrist punishments such as good behavious bonds and community service orders.
We have disarmed citizens and removed their right to have rifles and shotguns. Now the time has come to add knives to that ban !
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