Offensive Weapons

In recent years there has been substantial policy change in the way offensive weapons are licensed and legislated against in Scotland. The ‘grave social ill’ of knife crime has quite rightly become a matter of severe public concern.

Where in the past the full emphasis of the law was placed upon prosecution of criminal acts related to the carrying of such a weapon, the boundaries of criminal law have now moved on and attempts are being made, under amendments to the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1995, to regulate the sources of knives.

With knife dealers licenses now required the issue is as much civic as criminal, meaning that this text is essential to not only solicitors and Advocates and criminal courts, but also local government and law enforcement regulating such licensed premises.

This is the first edition of a Greens Essential Legislation title, having developed from two previous Offensive Weapons books by this same author. Offensive Weapons is a comprehensive statement of all the statutory law applicable to offensive weapons, also encompassing a wide range of reported cases deciding the law.

The book contains a detailed list of what constitutes an offensive weapon with the author discussing in the text questions around facts and circumstances including how the potential weapon is carried or maintained.

This is the most up to date guide to the legislation surrounding offensive weapons. It is essential that both those working within criminal prosecutions and those involved with licensing are fully confident of finding their way around the law. Robert Shiels is a seasoned expert, ideally placed to navigate the reader around the increasingly complex legal issues involved in this regime.