I copied this out of a Thread on the Blade Discussion Forum.
I believe that this is the type of thing that desperately needs AKTI's attention.
Scott
Gun crackdown sparks increase in knives, knife-related crime
By Associated Press, 2/27/2001 06:46
BOSTON (AP) Boston police officials say tougher gun laws in Massachusetts have led to a surge in the sale of knives, and an increase in knife-related crimes in the past six months.
More than half of the city's homicides this year were traced to knives, and there were two stabbings at Boston public schools in a single day last week.
Boston has a city statute prohibiting the sale of knives to any one under 18. However City Councilor Daniel Conley said he will call Tuesday for an amendment to that law banning knife sales by street vendors to anyone.
''It's one more tool for law enforcement to use to get weapons off the street,'' said Conley, head of the council's public safety committee. ''It's too easy for transient peddlers to roam around selling knives, particularly to children, without getting caught.'' His ordinance would impose a $300 fine on any street vendor caught trying to sell a knife.
While most of the seven stabbing deaths this year involved adults over the age of 21, Conley and others said the Feb. 17 stabbings of the school students have alerted officials to the easy availability of knives. The city has had a total of 12 homicides this year.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ralph Martin said his office has not yet reviewed the proposed amendment, but believes he probably will support it.
Boston police Sgt. Eric Bulman of the Youth Violence Strike Force said street vendors typically sell to a young clientele because of the cheap knives they offer.
Among the merchandise police have confiscated in the past six months were knives hidden inside working cigarette lighters, ballpoint pens and fake but realistic-looking .22-caliber handguns.
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AKTI Member No. A000370
I believe that this is the type of thing that desperately needs AKTI's attention.
Scott
Gun crackdown sparks increase in knives, knife-related crime
By Associated Press, 2/27/2001 06:46
BOSTON (AP) Boston police officials say tougher gun laws in Massachusetts have led to a surge in the sale of knives, and an increase in knife-related crimes in the past six months.
More than half of the city's homicides this year were traced to knives, and there were two stabbings at Boston public schools in a single day last week.
Boston has a city statute prohibiting the sale of knives to any one under 18. However City Councilor Daniel Conley said he will call Tuesday for an amendment to that law banning knife sales by street vendors to anyone.
''It's one more tool for law enforcement to use to get weapons off the street,'' said Conley, head of the council's public safety committee. ''It's too easy for transient peddlers to roam around selling knives, particularly to children, without getting caught.'' His ordinance would impose a $300 fine on any street vendor caught trying to sell a knife.
While most of the seven stabbing deaths this year involved adults over the age of 21, Conley and others said the Feb. 17 stabbings of the school students have alerted officials to the easy availability of knives. The city has had a total of 12 homicides this year.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ralph Martin said his office has not yet reviewed the proposed amendment, but believes he probably will support it.
Boston police Sgt. Eric Bulman of the Youth Violence Strike Force said street vendors typically sell to a young clientele because of the cheap knives they offer.
Among the merchandise police have confiscated in the past six months were knives hidden inside working cigarette lighters, ballpoint pens and fake but realistic-looking .22-caliber handguns.
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AKTI Member No. A000370