Thread: "Weapons" in vehicles

I guess it is all down to the officer you meet. I carried a decent sized sheath knife in the truck with me all the time. You need a blade too often not to. A NSW Highway Patrol bloke told me not to keep it in the door pocket where it would be deemed a weapon, but in the tool box where it would be deemed a tool. It's the same principle as keeping firearms locked up, separate to the ammo. Gives you time to cool off. Most coppers are sensible folk. Let's face it, everyone who goes out in their forby's camping will be carrying kitchen knives, won't they? Knives are not illegal, just don't try waving them at people.

Originally Posted by weeds

The car is more of a weapon than what's being carried inside....the car it self causes way more deaths.

True but irrelevant. The OP asked about padangs.
I live in Logan. We see it regularly - cops surrounding a car, pointing guns at angry men.

Originally Posted by Gordie

In SA you are correct Rangieman....IF you have a lawful excuse to carry a knife.

As per Summary Offences Act 3A(21A), a simple knife is an "offensive weapon".

As per Summary Offences Act 3A(21C), a person who without lawful excuse carries an offensive weapon, is guilty of an offence.

In summary, in SA, if you can provide a lawful excuse as to why you are carrying, a pocket knife through to a machete, then all good. But if not, you will be arguing it with a magistrate, not the police.

I would suggest that a machete in a vehicle an urban street, would take some explaining as to the lawful reason to carry.

The definition of "carry" would need clearing up. Carry one on your person is absolutely not the same as carry one in your vehicle. Or do you mean to say that all the grey nomads in their campers or caravans fall foul of the law because they have kitchen knives in their kitchens? The idea is absurd.

It's not an idea, it's the law.

the grey nomad carrying a knife in their cutlery drawer, has a perfectly lawful reason....as per the Summary Offences Act.

Personally, I am no do-gooder, but in our current society, I am quite pleased that the person carrying a knife, on their person, or in their vehicle..has to provide a reason as to why they should. (remember how much carnage was unleashed in London last week with a vehicle and a knife).

Here's the definition of 'carry' in SA.....

For the purposes of this Part, a person will be taken to be
carrying a weapon or article if he or she has the weapon or article on or about his or her person or if it is under his or her immediate control.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Actually, we don't have many rights, certainly not as many as Americans, since we don't have a Bill of Rights.
Your opinion of what is a weapon is irrelevant - all that counts is the wording of the law. Anything which can hurt someone is a weapon.
The ice epidemic has resulted in many incidents of males going berserk and made the cops very jumpy. If you can't provide a believable reason for having that weapon in your vehicle, then you may find the police pointing guns at you, and you'll be explaining yourself to a magistrate. Fact.
The magistrate won't be interested in your attempts to philosophise about personal rights. He/she has heard it all before and will shut you up.
Magistrates are fed up with people accusing them of being soft on crime, so they'll err on the side of throwing the book at you.
Really, you're just asking for trouble.

Last thing this country needs is a Bill of Rights. Seriously, who would you trust to draw one up? Zimbabwe has a Bill of Rights. Wonderful document.

I've had a bit to do with magistrates, both from the wrong side ( hard to avoid if one is a truckie and the VicPol task force is out. ), and the right side, as my son in law is a big deal in the Gov, connected to the Sherriff's. They are usually quite reasonable, and actually pay attention if you approach the issue in an intelligent manner. So, too, are the police. I have been on the road in Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, Melbourne, Adelaide, and all points in between for all of my working life in one way or another and I have NEVER seen police pointing guns at innocent people. I have seen police pointing guns at a confirmed murder suspect. Police need a VERY good reason to draw their weapon, and it is the option of last resort ALWAYS. I witnessed a man on ice go beserk at the Emergency Dept. of Maroondah Hospital one Saturday night. It took six officers to subdue him. Not once did an officer reach even for his Taser, let alone his sidearm.

I think the hyperbole here is overtaking the reason.

Originally Posted by Gordie

Here's the definition of 'carry' in SA.....

For the purposes of this Part, a person will be taken to be
carrying a weapon or article if he or she has the weapon or article on or about his or her person or if it is under his or her immediate control.

Once again, definition is important. "immediate" needs clarification. If one has to get out, go to the back of the car, open a drawer, and retrieve the knife, is that 'immediate'? I am currently sitting quite near my kitchen. There are knives there. Am I in breach? More importantly, my sister, my two nieces who live there, all cooks, are they in breach? The knives in their kitchens are definitely in their immediate control. My sister was once chef at a place you may have heard of if you are South Australian. She cooked for the Ferrari team, and Nureyev. Her knives were in superb immediate control. I repeat, the idea is absurd. As is most of what happens in SA, it seems.

What's the saying...the law is an ass....but it is what we have to live with. Depends if you can afford to spend more on your lawyer, than the state can on theirs!! Going back to the OP question.....a lot cheaper and easier..not to carry a machete unless you have a lawful reason to do so!! And yes, I agree re SA!!!!!