Machetes and swords to be classified as prohibited weapons in SA as surrender period announced

A worrying knife-crime trend in SA has prompted the introduction of strict new laws, and a warning for weapons to be surrendered in a three-month amnesty or face the consequences.

Strict new laws to come into effect from Tuesday to tackle knife crime in SA will be the toughest reforms in the nation.

From July 1, children under the age of 18 will be banned from buying dangerous knives, raising the bar for the age of purchase from 16 years.

In addition, swords and machetes will be classified as prohibited weapons – making it an offence to manufacture, sell, distribute, supply or deal in, or use or possess, a machete or sword.

Breaking the law will carry a maximum penalty of $20,000 or two years imprisonment.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the restrictions and new laws were in response to a rise in incidents here and interstate, and to protect the community from the “menace of knife crime”.

New laws coming into place in SA from Tuesday will be the toughest ones relating to knives in the country. Picture: Karen Grace Prince

“Things like bread knives and part of cutlery sets that don’t have a sharp point, still can be purchased, but anyone under 18 will not be able to buy sharp knives,” he said.

“There are a very narrow range of exempted people who can have these (weapons) like as heirlooms, as part of a collection, or for educational purposes.”

Those in possession of such weapons are urged to check whether it will remain lawful. If not, they can surrender them at a local police station (Hindley Street and Grenfell Street police stations exempted) during a three-month amnesty period starting on Tuesday.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher and SA Police Assistant Commissioner Narelle Kameniar with a range of prohibited weapons. Picture: Karen Grace Prince

The new laws build on the first round of reforms which gave police stronger powers to conduct metal detector searches in public spaces – including public transport hubs and shopping centre precincts.

SA Police Assistant Commissioner Narelle Kameniar said there had been a stark increase in knife crime across the country.

“It is a concern to us and the Youth and Street Gangs Task Force are dealing regularly with youths who are having these sorts of weapons,” she said.

“It will now be an offence to use, carry or possess a knife in any educational facility, so that will range all the way from childcare centres and preschools, all the way through to schools, colleges, TAFEs, universities and places of worship.”

The move comes after several incidents of knife crime and suspicious activity in the past few months.

Two men were arrested on Tuesday last week at the War Memorial on North Tce in the CBD for suspicious behaviour and for possession of several weapons including knives, knuckle dusters with a fold-out knife and an extendible baton with a knife attachment.

Two weeks ago, a machete-wielding woman was arrested after allegedly robbing a service station in Port Adelaide

Earlier this month, two men were arrested and charged after a teenage boy was seriously injured in a machete attack in a CBD apartment.

“By reclassifying machetes and swords as prohibited weapons, and preventing minors from buying knives, we are delivering common sense reforms that will better protect the community,” said Mr Maher.

“These laws are designed to keep South Australia as safe as possible and are the toughest knife laws anywhere in the country.”

Opposition police spokesman Jack Batty: “This should have happened much sooner. Serious knife crimes over the past year may have been prevented if Labor hadn’t stubbornly refused to act on our proposals.

“Adopting our policy is a step in the right direction and will help make South Australians safer. We will always prioritise community safety.”

Originally published as Machetes and swords to be classified as prohibited weapons in SA as surrender period announced