Article Summary
The Australian state of Victoria is banning the sale of machetes following a violent gang fight that injured a young man in a Melbourne shopping mall. Four suspects were arrested and charged in connection with the fight that involved machete-wielding gang members. The ban on the sale of machetes will take effect from Wednesday, with possession of machetes punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of more than 47,000 Australian dollars. Victoria is the only Australian state or territory that plans to ban machetes.
What This Means for You
- If you are a resident of Victoria, you will not be able to buy machetes in the state from Wednesday, and possession of a machete will be punishable by law.
- If you currently possess a machete in Victoria, you have until September 1 to dispose of it at a police station or secure bin without penalty.
- Businesses that sell machetes in Victoria will need to stop selling them from Wednesday, or face legal consequences.
- Other Australian states do not have plans to ban the sale of machetes at the moment.
- The ban on machetes is likely to be part of a broader trend towards tighter regulations on weapons in Australia.
Australian state plans to ban the sale of machetes following violent gang fight
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian state government is banning the sale of machetes after a violent gang fight in a suburban shopping mall injured a young man.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan announced Monday the ban on the sale of large knives would take effect Wednesday after machete-wielding gang members clashed at a Melbourne mall on Sunday afternoon.
A 20-year-old man was seriously injured in the fight that involved eight combatants armed with machetes, a police statement said. Four suspects had been arrested and charged by Monday.
“I will introduce as many laws (as needed) to get these dangerous knives off the streets,” Allan told reporters.
Victoria only Australian state planning to ban machetes
Victoria is the only Australian state or territory that plans to ban machetes, broadly defined as a cutting edge knife with a blade exceeding 20 centimeters (almost 8 inches) long. Kitchen knives are not included in the ban.
Possession of a machete will be banned with few exceptions in Victoria, Australia’s second-most populous state, from Sept. 1.
The ban on the sale of machetes was to have taken effect on that date. A three-month amnesty will give people time to dispose of their machetes at police stations and secure bins without penalty.
Possession of a machete in Victoria would be punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of more than 47,000 Australian dollars ($30,700).
England and Wales banned possession of machetes and some other knives in September last year.
Australia has some of the world’s toughest gun laws
Australia has some of the toughest gun laws in the world, and gun crimes are relatively rare. But knife crimes are becoming more common.
New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, and Queensland and South Australia states ban the sale of knives to children.
Machetes are currently controlled weapons that are allowed to be carried for legitimate purposes.
Around 40 police officers responded to the fight between rival gangs in Melbourne.
The two alleged primary offenders, boys aged 15 and 16, were arrested at the scene and charged with using a controlled weapon and other offenses.
The boys were held in custody to appear in a children’s court at a later date.
Two men, aged 18 and 20, were arrested Monday and charged in relation to the violence. They were released on bail for a court appearance in July.
All four were known gang members, police said.
People Also Ask About
- What is a machete? A machete is a cutting edge knife with a blade exceeding 20 centimeters (almost 8 inches) long.
- Is it legal to possess a machete in Victoria before September 1? Yes, but there are few exceptions, and possession of a machete will be banned with few exceptions in Victoria, Australia’s second-most populous state, from Sept. 1.
- What are the penalties for possessing a machete in Victoria? Possession of a machete in Victoria would be punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of more than 47,000 Australian dollars ($30,700).
- Are other Australian states planning to ban machetes? No, Victoria is the only Australian state or territory that plans to ban machetes.
- Can I dispose of my machete at a police station in Victoria? Yes, during the three-month amnesty period, you can dispose of your machetes at police stations and secure bins without penalty.
Expert Opinion
The ban on machetes in Victoria reflects a broader trend towards tighter regulations on weapons in Australia, as the government seeks to tackle the issue of knife crimes. While some argue that such regulations may not be effective in reducing violent crimes, evidence suggests that stricter gun laws in Australia have led to a significant reduction in gun-related homicides and suicides. The ban on machetes in Victoria could be a step towards a similarly successful approach to reducing knife crimes.
Key Terms
- Machete
- Ban
- Victoria
- Knife crimes
- Controlled weapons
- Amnesty
- Possession
- Penalties
- Regulations
- Weapons
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