Government to review knife possession laws

Knife-toting youths are under the Government's microscope, with Justice Minister Simon Power this afternoon announcing a review of knife possession laws.

Mr Power said today he had ordered a report on laws around knife possession after concerns were expressed by a High Court judge last week.

Justice Raynor Asher said during sentencing for the knife murder of 26-year-old Daryl Graydon that it may be time for Parliament to reconsider the laws that make it an offence for someone to carry a knife without reasonable excuse.

A 20-year-old man, whose name was suppressed, was last week sentenced to 11 years jail for Graydon's murder during a night out in Howick, southeast Auckland, in December 2007.

At sentencing in the case, Justice Asher said the presence of a knife could turn an aggressive encounter in to something lethal.

"When disagreements or fights develop, the presence and the use of the knife turns the encounter into something lethal that has absolutely devastating consequences for the victim, the victim's family and our society," Justice Asher said.

"Somehow the message has to be imparted to young people that it is unacceptable for knives to be carried in public places."

Mr Power said that as a result of Justice Asher's concerns, he had asked Ministry of Justice officials to look at the laws governing knife possession.

"I'm conscious these issues have been looked at in the United Kingdom, so it's timely New Zealand looks at them too," Mr Power said.

"We need to make sure our laws are sending a message to young people that it's totally unacceptable to have knives in public places and that there will be consequences if this happens."

A report was expected by the end of the month.

"If our existing laws need toughening, then I'll look at that," Mr Power said.

The Summary Offences Act (s13A) provides for a penalty of up to three months in prison or a fine of up to $2000 for possession of a knife in a public place without reasonable excuse.

The Crimes Act (s202A) also makes it an offence to carry a knife in a public place without reasonable excuse, an offence which carries a penalty of up to two years in prison.