Having a knife in your car in NSW may cost you a fine of $550 .

[Outback]

The knife laws in NSW are a worry , check out the story of a couple of hunters who copped a heavy fine !

Imagine not being allowed to take a knife on a prospecting trip

http://www.sportingshootermag.com.au/news/hunters-fined-for-knife-possession

 

[Hare_Twigga]

Yeah that's mad... I always carry a Spetznaz shovel,not illegal quiet useful and great fun to throw!

 

[Greglz86]

Reading that it seems its up to the police to use their own descretion to hand over a fine or not.
The hunters probably just rubbed up the cops thd wrong way or caught them in a bad mood.
Would be pretty crap to have happen to you though.
Greg

 

[trashmagnet]

i reckon if they had of had the knives in the boot with there gear they would have been ok
the problem starts when the knife is IN the car unless driving a ute with no canopy on the way hunting or returning
tm

 

[casper]

That "report" sounds dubious...

Victorian knife laws are similar to NSW. Both my son and i have BUCK Folding knives but they're only on our person when we are partaking in our chosen recreational activity, ie fishing, bush camping, prospecting / fossicking. When back in the car the knives come out of their belt pouches and are stowed in the rear of the vehicle just as you would do when you walked off the beach after a nights surf fishing and returned to you car. The wearing of the knife has to be appropriate to the activity. Having just come out of the high country after 4 days camping and standing at the diesel bowser filling up the Cruiser with your knife still on your belt will get you into hot water if the Highway Patrol pulls in for a fill and notices... no it didn't happen to me.

casper

 

[backcreek]

Maybe I should take the folding blade I carry in the drivers door pocket out and put in my tool bag. They'll never find it there, I know what is in there and I can never find anything I'm looking for without pouring the contents on the ground.

It's a tool, Right! A knife it a tool!

Bloody nanny state!

 

[joe]

Does an axe fall under the same category?

 

[backcreek]

Good question Joe,
I also carry a tomahawk and a machete in the car all the time. I wonder what the legality of that is?

 

[Danielkrupski]

Always carry a tomato

 

[Goldpick]

So if you had a picnic set with knives in it, sitting on the back seat, does mean it is technically illegal? I know that was said with a tad of sarcasm, but these laws need to be clear cut. Police discretion can be a good thing, but can also be equally bad. Even long handled maglights have been deemed as potential weapons if kept under seat or somewhere in the interior of the car.

 

[jethro]

Well I carry a genuine AIF issue Machete in my backpack with my pans etc when Im prospecting, and sometimes the backpack gets left in the back of the ute for some days between trips.
When the new knife laws were introduced in Victoria the plods just had to put everyone on notice and make a point by getting some dangerous hardware off the streets. First offender in this area was some poor old cocky going into Rutherglen for his morning paper in the farm ute. When pulled over guess what they found under the seat, A big bad arse sheath knife.
Who would have thought a farmer would be carrying one of those. Still got fined though as he was going to town for the paper not feeding out hay to the cattle. No wonder the laws command little respect these days especially when administered to the letter and with no discretion applied. rant off.

 

[richo966]

be nice when talking to police and they will respect you be rude and they can fine you for just about any thing I think this is case of manners not any thing to worry about

 

[loamer]

From Victorian Legal Aid

The law says you cant carry, possess or use a weapon to hurt people or to defend yourself. If the police believe you are illegally carrying a weapon, they can search you and your car without a warrant. If they find a weapon they can take it from you. You cant carry knives, batons, flick knives, daggers, butterfly knives or knuckle knives. If you can prove you have a lawful excuse, you may carry or possess some weapons like a sword or large crossbow. A 'lawful excuse' could include having the weapon for work, for sport, for a weapons collection, display or exhibition. Lawful excuse does not include self-defence. You can only possess or carry some weapons if you do so safely.

My comment - all very wishy washy. You still have to prove 'lawful excuse'.

 

[calala]

I believe its all to do with road rage and having weapons in the car to attack people with, that includes knives, hammers, screw drivers, baseball and cricket bats and the like, having them in the boot is o.k.. Carrying knives is different, you must have an accepted use for them to be on your person that includes in your pocket.

 

[pauly250]

i have asked a nsw police officer and he told me if it is in with your fishing gear it makes it very hard to make a charge stick

 

[pauly250]

Does an axe fall under the same category?

I hope not,i restore old axes as a hobby and can have dozens in my ute at one time

 

[Outback]

Always carry a tomato

That's not a bad idea ' covers one for the excuse of food preparation

 

[thesmithy]

For police to stop a vehicle for the purpose of a search......a general warrant must be issued.
This can be in the form of an organized RBT
searching for a suspect from a crime committed. issued warrant.
Or under his Warrant (carried with police badge) The ability to search if police suspect that a crime has been committed or is about to be committed. With reasonable suspicion.

Why was the vehicle searched.
Was a general warrant issued to target hunters at a set point on a certain day.

Was the vehicle targeted due to its visible appearance (dogs/spotlight on roof/etc.)
Did the occupants show disrespect towards the officers.
prompting further investigation......resulting in a search being conducted.
to open ended this one.

I personally carry approximately 6 knives in my vehicles trailer at any given time (work related) Master Farrier / Blacksmith.
As a Retained FireFighter with FRNSW I carry 1 personal 8inch rescue knife at all times.
in my PPE side pocket I carry 1 Victorinox SwissTool (rescue tool) with the sharpest knife blade ever made
As well as seatbelt cutter.

If I was pulled over by the police I would immediately notify the officer of my collection. And justify why I have them in my possession.
There would be no issues.

If I had a hunting knife in my vehicle side pocket and was not on a planned hunting trip. I certainly would have some explaining to do.
pics of knives
.

 

[joe]

Food, work,camping, caravans should be ok. Unless you take to town and make it obvious.

 

[BoydWilliam]

Police in VIC can stop a vehicle and search it if they have a "reasonable excuse" without a warrant.
Reasonable excuse may include - smelling dope etc, have reasonable grounds to believe the vehicle may contain a weapon or illicit substances. Generally these searches are conducted under the "Weapons and Controlled Substances Act'

If you are carrying a knife, all you need to do is be able to justify a reasonable excuse as to why you may be carrying it.
Eg - 'Im going on a fishing trip' would more than likely be considered a 'reasonable excuse' if your car had fishing rods etc
But 'Im going fishing at KMART today' wouldnt cut it whatsoever!