Robinson says new anti-knife laws are a beginning - now we must tackle Gang Culture
Ken Robinson MLA, Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for East Antrim, who has campaigned against knife crime for the past five years today welcomed the announcement of tough new anti-knife laws by Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins.
“I am pleased that this measure is going to reach the statute books. When I started to campaign against knife crime, the official attitude was very different. Back then, the authorities were in denial and argued that the problem did not exist as a major concern. Several high profile deaths have occurred since that time which proved they were wrong. Today, our thoughts will be with the families of those victims. We should always remember that this law will be too late for them.”
“Nonetheless, this is a major step forward. I am particularly glad to see that the government is also looking at a licensing scheme in addition to this Act. Doubling the sentence from two to four years for carrying a blade is a wise move. Only severity in sentencing will impact on this problem. I am also pleased that selling a knife to anyone under 18 will be an offence as will be the sale of a crossbow to someone under 18.”
“We should remember that these new anti-knife laws are only a beginning. This is a first step in tackling the underlying problem which is the gang culture. If we are to create order in our society after such a long period of instability, then the gang culture must be next in our sights. It is this culture which often provides the impetus for the use of offensive weapons including knives.”