Ministry waives declaration for knives used as tools

A bill on the management and use of weapons, explosives and combat gear the ministry has drafted requires those producing, trading, exporting, and importing "highly lethal knives" must declare their quantity, type, brand, and name of production facility to the local police.

It is meant to prevent criminals from laying their hands on such items.

"Highly lethal knives" are sharp or pointed with a blade that is more than 20 cm long, and include crude weapons that are modified for use as knives.

The ministry said since such knives are commonly used as tools, "people using them for production and daily activities do not need to declare them."

The bill does not prohibit people from owning inherited knives or swords or displaying them within families and clans. But they must declare them to the police.

According to the ministry, the size criterion is based on the size of daggers provided to the armed forces, which measure a minimum of 20 cm.

The ministry said it has studied the laws of several countries such as Russia, Belarus and Australia, which regulate blade size.

Besides, most knives seized from criminals are at least 20 cm in length, it said.

The bill is currently being discussed in the National Assembly at a session that will close on June 28.