You can't say some people didn't warn us....

[Don Roley]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4581871.stm

Say it isn't so mommy!!!!

Last Updated: Thursday, 26 May, 2005, 23:48 GMT 00:48 UK

Doctors' kitchen knives ban call

Doctors say knives are too pointed
A&E doctors are calling for a ban on long pointed kitchen knives to reduce deaths from stabbing.
A team from West Middlesex University Hospital said violent crime is on the increase - and kitchen knives are used in as many as half of all stabbings.

They argued many assaults are committed impulsively, prompted by alcohol and drugs, and a kitchen knife often makes an all too available weapon.

The research is published in the British Medical Journal.

The researchers said there was no reason for long pointed knives to be publicly available at all.

They consulted 10 top chefs from around the UK, and found such knives have little practical value in the kitchen.

None of the chefs felt such knives were essential, since the point of a short blade was just as useful when a sharp end was needed.

The researchers said a short pointed knife may cause a substantial superficial wound if used in an assault - but is unlikely to penetrate to inner organs.


Kitchen knives can inflict appalling wounds

In contrast, a pointed long blade pierces the body like "cutting into a ripe melon".

The use of knives is particularly worrying amongst adolescents, say the researchers, reporting that 24% of 16-year-olds have been shown to carry weapons, primarily knives.

The study found links between easy access to domestic knives and violent assault are long established.

French laws in the 17th century decreed that the tips of table and street knives be ground smooth.

A century later, forks and blunt-ended table knives were introduced in the UK in an effort to reduce injuries during arguments in public eating houses.

The researchers say legislation to ban the sale of long pointed knives would be a key step in the fight against violent crime.

"The Home Office is looking for ways to reduce knife crime.

"We suggest that banning the sale of long pointed knives is a sensible and practical measure that would have this effect."

Government response

Home Office spokesperson said there were already extensive restrictions in place to control the sale and possession of knives.

"The law already prohibits the possession of offensive weapons in a public place, and the possession of knives in public without good reason or lawful authority, with the exception of a folding pocket knife with a blade not exceeding three inches.

"Offensive weapons are defined as any weapon designed or adapted to cause injury, or intended by the person possessing them to do so.

"An individual has to demonstrate that he had good reason to possess a knife, for example for fishing, other sporting purposes or as part of his profession (e.g. a chef) in a public place.

"The manufacture, sale and importation of 17 bladed, pointed and other offensive weapons have been banned, in addition to flick knives and gravity knives."

A spokesperson for the Association of Chief Police Officers said: "ACPO supports any move to reduce the number of knife related incidents, however, it is important to consider the practicalities of enforcing such changes."

 

[KenpoTex]

And the stupidity continues...Is anybody surprised?

 

[Simon Curran]

Personally (as a UK citizen) I don't have a problem with the restrictions on weapons in the UK, I have never needed one, and don't expect to ever need one. I also think that the kind of person who is going to commit a violent act with a weapon does not care whether that weapon is legal or not, so legislation is not really any help.

That said, I do think that has to come a time where common sense must prevail, I have long pointed kitchen knifes at my disposal in my home, and don't think of them as a weapon, rather a utensil. Once again though, my girlfriend does have some terrible mood swings...:wink2: :viking3:

 

[Franc0]

Jeez, first their guns, now their kitchen knives. Whats next? Soon they'll outlaw the use of fists after somebody beats someone to death. Makes me appreciate livin' in the U.S. even more. :mp5:

Franco

 

[Gemini]

After watching several episodes of McGeyver (sp), I think we are all capable of making a weapon out of anything we can think of.

Ban the kitchen knife, we use scissors.
Ban the scissors, we use a fork.
Ban the fork...you can easily gouge out someones eye with a spoon. We must ban them ALL while we're on the witch hunt.

C'mon. If someone wants to do bodily harm to another, they'll find a way. Maybe we should forget the objects and focus on the bent mind wanting to use it. Hey, I have a great idea! We can bring back shock therapy!

(hmm. I wonder if HAZMAT ever finds out I washed one of my kid's mouth out with a bar of soap, what kinda trouble I'd get in.)

 

[arnisador]

Is it April 1st over there?

Really, this reads like parody. I know they think they have a 'knife epidemic' there, but really...

 

[arnisador]

Soon they'll outlaw the use of fists after somebody beats someone to death.

Isn't that part of the story of Savate--a blow with a fist was considerd the equivalent of a blow with a weapon, but not so a kick or an open-handed slap, which then influenced the development of the system?

 

[Jerry]

When will the bans on pointy sticks and rocks begin?

 

[Franc0]

Isn't that part of the story of Savate--a blow with a fist was considerd the equivalent of a blow with a weapon, but not so a kick or an open-handed slap, which then influenced the development of the system?

Shhhhhhh!, or next they'll ban the development of systems! :whip:

Franco

 

[Bammx2]

"aaualts are prompted by alcohol and drugs"...or something to that effect.


Ban the knives but keep the alcohol and drugs.
hhmm....

Pointy knives are baaad.
Blunt knives rip and tear.
hhmm....

Next they'll be after the MA schools.
Didn't the chinese try that with Shaolin?
When that was legalised again after 100 years or so....
Practitioners were everywhere!

things that just make ya go..

hhhmmmm..............................:shrug:

 

[mj_lover]

actually, it looks like they are trying to reduce impulse murders. ie fight between husband and wife, the regular kitchen knife is usually very close by, especially if the fight happens in the kitchen. i agree with it, people rarly use the pointy end when i'm cooking, so it wouldn't effect to many people either.
my 2c.

 

[Bammx2]

actually, it looks like they are trying to reduce impulse murders. ie fight between husband and wife, the regular kitchen knife is usually very close by, especially if the fight happens in the kitchen. i agree with it, people rarly use the pointy end when i'm cooking, so it wouldn't effect to many people either.
my 2c.

I see where you're commin from....
but its far worse than just "domestics".
In fact,you rarely ever hear about domestics getting to that level.
You always hear about "public" stabbings and worse.
There are some decent people here and some really nice people.
Personally though....
Carry a stick with me.
The way I see it...
knives are too quick to kill be accident by the untrained AND trained person.
If I have a stick and if I get attacked(and I have) it kinda goes like this....

You use a knife,chances are pretty damn good you will kill or seriously injure the person "by accident".

The use of a stick in MY opinion..
I get attacked by someone with a knife,with a bit o skil and a bit o luck..
he gets "educated",i.e..broken arm.
the police get to arrest him.
I get to live.
the courts get thier conviction
and the NHS gets a piece of the action too.
Everybody's happy!
The only person left out....
the mortician.

Thats just me though......

 

[searcher]

When will the bans on pointy sticks and rocks begin?

Why pointy sticks? They might as well outlaw having sticks in your yard. Then they can move on to the more menacing things like the walkers that senior citizens use.

 

[Silat Student]

I am unceasingly amused by the policies of the UK in relation to the weapons of their citizens. I wonder if they're gonna attempt to ban the possession of Files and Grinders to keep people from putting points on their knives?

 

[Simon Curran]

"aaualts are prompted by alcohol and drugs"...or something to that effect.


Ban the knives but keep the alcohol and drugs.
hhmm....

Pointy knives are baaad.
Blunt knives rip and tear.
hhmm....

Next they'll be after the MA schools.
Didn't the chinese try that with Shaolin?
When that was legalised again after 100 years or so....
Practitioners were everywhere!

things that just make ya go..

hhhmmmm..............................:shrug:

On some levels, I can see what you are getting at, but the point (no pun intended...) is that without the weapon there is not the opportunity, but once again we get back to what I stated before; the kind of person who is likely to commit an act of violence with a knife is gonna do it regardless of legislature, so I don't think banning the knives we have in our homes is the way to go, even though I do understand the motivation with regards to domestic assaults...
Like you and CNC music factory said "Things that make you go Hmmmm"

 

[arnisador]

Shhhhhhh!, or next they'll ban the development of systems!

LOL! Seriously, I understand the point made about banning the knives to reduce impulse murders, and that would be good...as someone suggested, alcohol is probably a greater factor.

Banning cooking utensils just seems like a step too far. More people are probably hurt by boxcutters in street violence, I would think.

 

[Flatlander]

I need a pointy knife when I fillet fish. How will the British fillet their fish?

 

[mj_lover]

"None of the chefs felt such knives were essential, since the point of a short blade was just as useful when a sharp end was needed.

The researchers said a short pointed knife may cause a substantial superficial wound if used in an assault - but is unlikely to penetrate to inner organs."

not trying to be a smart ***, but i would like to point out, it has been thought of.





fish...:barf:

 

[47MartialMan]

Dont forget broken plates cut nicely...


Treat everyone line 5 year-olds..

 

[AnimEdge]

Pointy knives are baaad.
Blunt knives rip and tear.
hhmm....

Actually it has been proven that Blunt objects have a better chance of pushing the organs out of the way wail the pointed ones just stab through it