What is a zombie knife and are they banned in Britain? – The sun

The government introduced new legislation on January 25, 2024 to “close the loophole” on zombie knives, which were first banned in 2016.

But what exactly are these dangerous weapons and why has there been a crackdown on their possession?

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What are zombie knives?

a zombie knife is a type of bladed weapon inspired by zombie movies.

Government Ministers have promised to take tough action against the knives, whose blades can be up to sixty centimeters long.

The weapons can often have jagged edges and words etched onto them, which helps to glorify violence.

Zombie knives earned their nickname because they mimic weapons commonly seen in horror films, particularly 'zombie apocalypse' movies.

They are regularly marketed as collectibles.

Available in bright colors and emblazoned with words like “zombie killer” and “slayer,” the large knives look much more intimidating than a normal knife.

Several are sold as “machetes” or “swords” rather than knives.

Images appeared on June 1, 2018 a cyclist using a zombie knife to smash a car window in an apparent line of road rage.

The driver was forced to run for his life when the cyclist smashed into his car with the foot-long blade during the confrontation in Croydon, south London.

Are zombie knives banned in Britain?

The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 made it illegal to bring a zombie knife into Britain, sell it, rent it, lend it or give it to someone else.

On August 29, 2023, the Ministry of the Interior announced that this is the case banning more guns and introducing a new crime for those found in possession.

The maximum penalty for importing, manufacturing, possessing and selling the weapons is two years.

Minister of Police Chris Filip said: “We must stop the criminals who carry dangerous weapons.

“Zombie-style knives and machetes serve no purpose other than to inflate criminal egos and endanger lives. There is no reason to own these types of weapons.”

The original ban defined zombie knives as having a cutting or serrated edge and “images or words suggesting that it is to be used for purposes of violence,” which people used as a loophole to get around the ban.

The new law, which came into effect on January 25, 2024, also banned zombie-style knives without threatening words or images.