Mr. John M. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the law regarding retail availability of swords and similar weapons, with particular reference to the age limits for intending purchasers. [101937]
§ Mr. BoatengIt is an offence under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1999 for any person to have with them an offensive weapon in a public place, including private premises to which the public have access. In addition, the Criminal Justice Act 1988, as amended, prohibits the sale of any knife, knife blade or other article with a blade or which is sharply pointed, to a person under 7W the age of 16, with the exception of a folding pocket knife with a blade not exceeding three inches and a permanently enclosed razor blade cartridge.
We have no immediate plans to amend this legislation but will keep the matter under review.