Powers to scan for knife in public place

The “commonsense reforms” targeting possession of knives, particularly among young people, are aimed at reducing knife crime and boosting community safety and will also make it illegal to sell knives to a child under the age of 18.
Premier Chris Minns said that in recent weeks and months, “we have all borne witness to the devastating outcomes of knife-related violence,” and although communities are still in mourning, “it’s essential that we step up to take immediate action to send a clear message that NSW will simply not accept these kinds of crimes”.
Based on Queensland’s Jack’s Law – named after 17-year-old Jack Beasley who was fatally stabbed in 2019 on the Gold Coast – these new powers will be made available in circumstances where a relevant weapons offence/knife crime has occurred within the past six months and will include making it illegal to sell knives to a child under the age of 18, with provisions for exemptions for retailers selling to young people who need a knife for their work or study, and increased penalties for people selling knives to young people under the age of 18.
Attorney General Michael Daley said these changes increased police powers, toughened penalties and sent a clear signal that it was not okay to carry a knife.
“There are too many young people who think it is okay to put a knife into their pocket to carry out their daily business,” he said.
“The worrying thing is that, if they are open to carrying it, then they are probably open to using it. We want people to stop carrying knives, to leave them at home and to stop using them.”