The laws restricting the possession, use, possession and sale of knives are almost identical to the laws of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom, although they are contained in different laws. [82] In 2008, in response to growing public concern about knife crime, Northern Ireland doubled the prison sentence to four years for those convicted of possession of a knife considered an assault weapon in a public place and added a presumption of evidence in favor of prosecution for possession of a knife. [83] Amendment 1447 to the Switchblade Knife Act (15 U.S.C. §1244), enacted on October 28, 2009 as part of the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2010, provides that the law does not apply to auxiliary or spring-loaded knives (i.e. Knives with heavy fixing springs that require physical force on the blade to help open the knife). [90] MEC issued a statement stating that „several types of folding knives designed to be opened with one hand are no longer available from MEC. Knives that expose the blade despite „minimal handling of a pinball machine or other non-sharp parts of the blade” can also be imported illegally. The latter type of knives has been withdrawn from sale. Article 2 of the Arms and Ammunition Act lists different types of weapons. [52] It states that „melee weapons, American punches, daggers, kama, swords, bayonets and other objects whose primary purpose is insult” are considered weapons. Most knives are therefore considered tools and are technically legal to possess and carry. However, since any knife can be used as a melee weapon and the law does not distinguish between certain types, it is up to the authorities to determine the intention of the person who owns the knife and whether there is a „good reason” for it. Therefore, fixed-blade knives are considered suitable for certain occupations or hunting and fishing, but are likely to be treated as a weapon in urban settings.
Switch blades, butterfly knives, blades hidden in everyday objects are usually treated as weapons, and folding knives can also fall into this category. The appearance of the knife (how aggressive it looks), the length (although there is no legal limit to the length), where it was carried (large gatherings, schools, public buildings, etc.) and the behavior of the person carrying the knife all play a role in the decision to violate the law. The purchase, possession and carrying of a melee weapon is an offence and punishable by a fine of up to RSD 10,000 or up to 60 days in jail („Weapons and Ammunition Act,” section 35.[ 53] In practice, the less it resembles a weapon, the less likely it is to have legal consequences. and the more it is worn and used with „good judgment”.