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28th September 2009

Kilt and Souvenir Shops May Be Caught Out

North East MSP Alex Johnstone is warning that highland dress outfitters and souvenir shops in Aberdeenshire that they could be caught up in new legislation on knife dealers which is set to come into force later this year.

Mr Johnstone explained "The Civic Government Act of 1982 has been amended to introduce new provisions to regulate the licensing of retailers who sell non domestic knives.  Anyone who does so, must have applied to the council by the 1st December this year, and must be in possession of a valid licence by the 1st June next year."

"Conditions which will apply to the new regime will include an obligation for licensees to maintain a register of any non domestic knife which is sold, and undertake identity checks of customers."

Mr Johnstone continued "Shop owners will also have to ensure that knives are not visible from the street or any public entrance to the premises, and additional signage will also have to be displayed."

"An unintended consequence of this legislation, which the SNP have introduced in a bid to curb knife crime, is that kilt outfitters who sell Skean Dhu's, or souvenir shops that sell pocket knives or replica swords will also have to register."

“This additional burden has come to light just weeks after many of the same shops discovered that they may be unable to continue selling whisky miniatures and other souvenirs which contain small amounts of alcohol because of a tightening up of licensing laws.”

Mr Johnstone concluded "I don't, for one minute, believe that this will keep a single knife off our streets, however the penalties for retailers who fail to comply can be quite severe, and I would urge anyone who stocks knives that are deemed to be 'non-domestic' to be aware of this legislation and not be caught out because they feel it does not apply to them."