New bill to regulate sale of machetes, other long-bladed weapons in Manitoba
A bill restricting the sale of long-bladed weapons was introduced in Manitoba Wednesday by Justice Minister Matt Wiebe.
The bill defines a long-bladed weapon as a machete, knife or sword or other weapon that is at least 30 cm long.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Winnipeg newsletters
The bill would restrict access to long-bladed weapons in stores by making retailers secure them so a customer cannot just pick one up without help from a staff member.
It also would require ID upon purchase and not allow retailers to sell the blades to minors.
The retailer would also take personal information from the buyer, including their name, address and date of birth. The records must also show the make and model of the long blade.
Those records would have to be kept for two years.
Wiebe hopes to have the bill passed in this legislative session and to have the regulations implemented quickly.
"This is really about those retailers who we know aren't doing it for the right reasons," he said. "They're not selling these as tools or for use in outdoor settings; they're really selling them to people who shouldn't have them on our streets."
Individuals could face a $5,000 fine for a first offence under the act, which could jump to $10,000 for subsequent offences. A business would be first fined $25,000, a penalty that could get as high as $100,000 for subsequent offences.
The legislation comes following a slew of attacks involving machetes in Winnipeg, including one where a teenager suffered 'life-altering injuries' during an attack.
Community activist Sel Burrows has been calling for a machete ban in Manitoba for several years. He said in addition to the physical damage from the weapons, there is also psychological damage.
"We have a major problem of these semi-invisible weapons that terrorize people in the inner city," he said. "And if we want to have a healthy inner city, this is just one small piece."
Logan Blade, operations manager of Cutting Edge Cutlery Co. in Winnipeg, said his business has already been implementing items in the legislation in their store.
"We require photo ID before we open any display cases with any merchandise. Doesn't matter what set of cases," he said.
Blade said the bill could have a positive effect in reducing the number of machetes on the street.
"The places that allow you to buy them at self checkouts without seeing any staff members allow anyone of any age with no ID whatsoever to purchase them, and that should be regulated," he said. "Stores like grocery stores, general department stores have too many of these things sitting on the shelf, and they do not require staff to even see the person who is purchasing them."
The Winnipeg Police Service also applauded the decision.
"Edged weapon and machete attacks have dramatically increased in the last number of years, the consequences of which can cause significant life-altering injuries or sometimes be fatal," said Supt. Brian Miln in a statement. "This legislation is another tool to assist the WPS and law enforcement in keeping these weapons out of the hands of the gang and criminal elements.”
Wiebe said the province is reaching out to online marketplaces where long-bladed weapons are sold, like Amazon, to tell them about the potential incoming regulations.
He added the province is lobbying the federal government to classify the most dangerous long-bladed weapons as prohibited knives.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
After Trump’s win, some women are considering the 4B movement
Women are sharing information on social media about a feminist movement in which straight women refuse to marry, have children, date or have sex with men.
Here are new guidelines for preventing stroke
The majority of strokes could be prevented, according to new guidelines aimed at helping people and their doctors do just that.
Opinion Was music really better when you were younger? Or is your mind deceiving you?
As I see other generations of music lovers say music was so much better when they were younger, I wondered why. We can’t all be right — or maybe we are? I talked to experts in how music influences our brains to find out.
Flower delivery leads to arrest for St. Thomas, Ont. resident
St. Thomas police say they arrested a 72-year-old St. Thomas resident after their ex-partner reported receiving flowers and a note left on the porch.
1 monkey recovered safely, 42 others remain on the run from South Carolina lab
One of 43 monkeys bred for medical research that escaped a compound in South Carolina has been recovered unharmed, officials said Saturday.
Actor Tony Todd, known for his role in the movie 'Candyman' and its sequel, dies at 69
Actor Tony Todd, known for his haunting portrayal of a killer in the horror film “Candyman” and roles in many other films and television shows, has died, his longtime manager confirmed. He was 69.
Kate Winslet had a surprising 'Titanic' reunion while producing her latest film ‘Lee’
Kate Winslet shared an anecdote about an encounter she had with someone from her star-making blockbuster film 'Titanic' while producing her new film 'Lee.'
Cynics not only lose out on friendships, love and opportunity — they're also wrong about human nature
Cynicism is on the rise. Should that come as any surprise given today’s divisive global conflicts and our fraught political landscape? Even the weather seems like it’s out to get us.
Migrants crossing the Darien heard of Donald Trump's victory — and picked up the pace
Jesus Chavez, a 34-year-old pastry chef from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, arrived in this small village at Panama’s edge of the Darien jungle on Friday.