Bladed weapon sales restrictions take effect at end of month

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/12/2024 (305 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The provincial government has outlined the details surrounding the upcoming restrictions on long-bladed weapons, set to take effect Dec. 31.

The rules prohibit sale of any long-bladed weapons to youth under 18. Legal-age purchasers must provide photo identification. The legislation requires retailers to lock away the items from shoppers and keep the information pertaining to any sale for a minimum of two years.

Blades subject to the new law can be made of multiple materials, including ceramics, carbon fibre, nylon and fibreglass-reinforced plastic.

It also lists tools that are exempt from the rules, including hedge trimmers, saws and pruning shears, and entirely exempts retailers where “a majority of products sold are a range of kitchenware products.”

The province moved quickly on the legislation and focused the guidelines around the sale and purchase of machetes, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said Friday.

“We also know that there are some retailers that are selling these weapons irresponsibly, I would suggest, and so machetes were our first focus, and it was why we moved quickly, specifically targeting those weapons,” he said.

“But going forward, knife crime and other bladed weapons — we’re certainly going to be looking at other options to limit the violence… perpetrated by those weapons, as well.”

The rules will be enforced by the province’s public safety investigation unit that also oversees the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, which investigates safety complaints from the public.

“We expect that there’ll be probably some public input as to which retailers should be investigated, and we’re going to take action,” Wiebe said.

Inner-city activist Sel Burrows said he and other community organizers will work with local businesses and hold them to account.

“I and other activists look forward to working with stores to ensure they understand the rules and regulations and working as a community to report any bad actors as we fight to end machete violence,” he said in a news release from the province.

Manitoba Justice has written to major online retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Canadian Tire and Cabela’s, asking they comply with the legislation.

Wiebe said the province has yet to hear back from any, but was “looking at all options to ensure that there’s compliance.”

“Our expectation is that they do have the technology to be able to do age verification and other, of course, record-keeping, which we expect them to do,” he said. “We would hope that if they’re selling products into Manitoba that they’re doing everything that they can to play a part in keeping our streets safe.”

The scope of the legislation came after “consultation with law enforcement, retailers and Indigenous leadership.”

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said he hoped the changes would “go a long way in addressing the violence that comes with the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol.”

“While this is a positive step, we must not lose sight that there is still much work to be done. We look forward to continuing the work to collectively create positive change to support public safety in our First Nations,” he said in Friday’s press release.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca