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Post by cearball on Apr 27, 2018 1:05:06 GMT
Hi all,
Due to the law seeming to become even tighter as of late I am becoming even more paranoid about cutting in my parents backyard (i live in a flat).
Has any UK resident had to deal with the police from doing a bit of test cutting?
Thanks.
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Post by ember on Apr 27, 2018 6:05:20 GMT
If the land is your own then, with in reason and as long as you are safe, you can do what you want. I regularly use my grandparents garden for archery and knife throwing (there garden is longer than mine). I use a back stop net and make sure the scrub land behind is empty of children playing and such. I have heard of incidents of people at my archery club haveing the police turn up at the door because people have seen and got the rong idea. Before I first used my grandparents garden I made sure that the neighbors on ether side knew what I was doing to make sure they don't get edgy, I would imagine it is the same for backyard cutting or anything else that involves weaponry. If your flat has a communal garden then it is still private land (so your not subject to law about carrying weapons in public) but you have to have permition from everyone else who uses the space and the grounds keeper (if there is one). Hope this helps.
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Post by RickDastardly on Apr 27, 2018 7:21:24 GMT
I think you are incorrect, ember , about the public/private space with a 'communal' garden. IIRC, the law would consider it public, since the public (other members of the flats) have access. It's not really private unless you alone control access. Same way that a 'private' but communal car park is still a public place. Permission is irrelevant from that perspective. If you wanted to use an air gun, you would need permission from the owner but that would likely still not be on because of specific laws about air guns and public highways. That said, while I've never been challenged by the police (which was the OP's question) in my garden. I have used crossbows, air guns and done sword cutting in me garden. It's not illegal in any way although you need to be careful with the air gun about distance to a public highway and pellet safety.
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Post by ember on Apr 27, 2018 10:33:48 GMT
Thank you, RickDastardly, I stand corrected, after a little more research you are correct. I only assumed that this was the case because there's someone at my archery club who practises shooting in a communal garden with permission from everyone else who uses the space. Sorry for my mistake and hasty answer before checking all the facts.
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Post by cearball on Apr 27, 2018 20:09:55 GMT
Thanks for the comments.
I felt it was within the law looking at the UK.
Just paranoid, as weird as it sounds I sometimes wonder how well police officers know UK laws around such things.
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Post by RickDastardly on Apr 27, 2018 23:22:58 GMT
That's not paranoia, that's common sense. It's common that police officers don't even know how to tell if a pocket knife is legal to carry or not. That's really pretty basic and easy. I'm a long-time knife collector and user (bushcraft etc) and keep up with things like that. Enjoy your cutting on your own property (or your parents' property) in the knowledge you are breaking no laws Do keep in mind though that if you travel there with the sword, you are in possession of an offensive weapon in public. Your 'good reason' for being in possession of it (and it is for you to prove you have good reason; you are effectively guilty until you prove 'innocence') is that you are going to a specific place where you have permission to practice with the sword. And you must be intending to do so on this occasion (or have done so and are taking it home again). Your parents should know to back this up if asked. That's if the worst happens and for some reason you are stopped and the sword is found. Edit to add to the above: Also, travel there and back directly. Don't go and do something else while you have the sword on you or in your car (which is considered in public just as if you were carrying it).
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Post by Jordan Williams on Apr 28, 2018 7:44:52 GMT
Do keep in mind though that if you travel there with the sword, you are in possession of an offensive weapon in public. Your 'good reason' for being in possession of it (and it is for you to prove you have good reason; you are effectively guilty until you prove 'innocence') Edit to add to the above: Also, travel there and back directly. Don't go and do something else while you have the sword on you or in your car (which is considered in public just as if you were carrying it). That's a pretty nuts contrast to where I live in the U.S., even in California. I routinely forget about my fencing gear or sharps in the trunk of my car or back seat (covered up of course, out of site out of mind for simpletons like me ) and pretty much never worry about it.
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Post by Robert in California on Apr 28, 2018 21:43:50 GMT
Having neighbors who I think are left wing types, I try to avoid being seen by them. The idea is 'don't spook the snowflakes'. Legal or not, the cops have to respond to complaints, valid or not. Less hassle if one either has good neighbors or one keeps low profile. Used to be homeowners on all sides. Now, on one side, are renters (multiple people rent sharing a 4 bedroom house right next to us). Youngish, just out of college looking types....with noticeable turnover in people living there. So try to avoid being seen, just to avoid the hassle.
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Post by William Swiger on Apr 29, 2018 0:20:27 GMT
Like where I rent in the VA/DC area. Many of the townhouses around me are kids too young to live here but they pile in like rats to make the rent......lol
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Post by howler on Apr 29, 2018 0:36:08 GMT
Having neighbors who I think are left wing types, I try to avoid being seen by them. The idea is 'don't spook the snowflakes'. Legal or not, the cops have to respond to complaints, valid or not. Less hassle if one either has good neighbors or one keeps low profile. Used to be homeowners on all sides. Now, on one side, are renters (multiple people rent sharing a 4 bedroom house right next to us). Youngish, just out of college looking types....with noticeable turnover in people living there. So try to avoid being seen, just to avoid the hassle. You got to mind you p's and q's and dot your i's and cross your t's when in many areas of Kali.
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Post by cearball on Apr 29, 2018 2:26:31 GMT
Having neighbors who I think are left wing types, I try to avoid being seen by them. The idea is 'don't spook the snowflakes'. Legal or not, the cops have to respond to complaints, valid or not. Less hassle if one either has good neighbors or one keeps low profile. Used to be homeowners on all sides. Now, on one side, are renters (multiple people rent sharing a 4 bedroom house right next to us). Youngish, just out of college looking types....with noticeable turnover in people living there. So try to avoid being seen, just to avoid the hassle. There are two other gardens that overlook the one I cut in as house s are on a spiralling hill. Will try to keep a low profile.
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Post by cearball on Apr 29, 2018 2:27:43 GMT
That's not paranoia, that's common sense. It's common that police officers don't even know how to tell if a pocket knife is legal to carry or not. That's really pretty basic and easy. I'm a long-time knife collector and user (bushcraft etc) and keep up with things like that. Enjoy your cutting on your own property (or your parents' property) in the knowledge you are breaking no laws Do keep in mind though that if you travel there with the sword, you are in possession of an offensive weapon in public. Your 'good reason' for being in possession of it (and it is for you to prove you have good reason; you are effectively guilty until you prove 'innocence') is that you are going to a specific place where you have permission to practice with the sword. And you must be intending to do so on this occasion (or have done so and are taking it home again). Your parents should know to back this up if asked. That's if the worst happens and for some reason you are stopped and the sword is found. Edit to add to the above: Also, travel there and back directly. Don't go and do something else while you have the sword on you or in your car (which is considered in public just as if you were carrying it). I have a dedicated/purpose built sword bag which I may Chuck a lock on to try & make it seem more secure.
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