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This petition was submitted during the 2017 to 2019 Parliament

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Closed petition Exempt the use of a knife from self-defence and reasonable force.

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When someone stabs another unarmed person who is not carrying a knife, they should not be able to claim self-defence. For example, when someone is punched and they respond by stabbing the other to death with a knife.

Anyone that goes out on the streets in a public place carrying a knife, should not be allowed to claim they used the knife in self-defence whether someone punches them or shouts at them or throws something at them.

People are being acquitted even when the other person is unarmed and not carrying a knife.

The law needs to change. If you go out with a knife it should be presumed that you do so with the intention to use it. No-one should be allowed to say they carry for protection.

327 signatures


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    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 21 December 2018.