Re: [89attendees] unlawful in Britain to carry pocketknives that lock

[Christer Holmberg <[e-mail]>]

Hi,

>> The security check at the London Eye discovered that one of the
>> members of our group carried a pocketknife.  The pocketknife was the safety type, where the 
>> blade locks to prevent self-injury.
>>
>> Turns out that locking blade pocketknives are illegal in Britain.  The
>> knife was confiscated and a form had to be filled out with name, address, age and place of birth 
>> (one presumes to identify a passport number).  The form will be turned over to the police.
>>
>> Did this info get mentioned on the attendee list?  I do not recall
>> seeing it, but I might not have paid attention.  And I'm apologize if this is common knowledge that 
>> no one would have thought worth mentioning.
>
> Yes, it is so common knowledge in England that I would never have thought to mention it (although > would in future, now you point it out).
> Thinking about it, guns are mercifully rare in this country, compared to what I understand the 
> situation is in America, so the young on the rampage go shanked or bladed; most of the more 
> notorious street crime is committed with a blade, not a gun, and I think that the evolution of the 
> law over the past decade or so reflects that.
>
> Drugs are another area where the law of England might catch visitors out but I would expect that to > be more self-evident.

I don't think anyone should have a responsibility to inform people of these kind of things, unless someone asks. 

If someone travels to an IETF meeting in a foreign country, it is his/her responsibility to figure out about the local laws - at least if he/she is planning to wear knives, use drugs, and/or perform any other activity that has nothing to do with the IETF meeting. 

Otherwise, one may get a learn-it-the-hard-way reminder that things aren't always the same as home :)

Regards,

Christer