Overview

This bill, primarily focused on curbing offensive weapon-related crime, introduces new offenses concerning the sale and delivery of bladed products to individuals under 18. It also strengthens enforcement powers for local authorities regarding various offensive weapon offenses.

Description

The core of the bill focuses on preventing the sale and delivery of bladed products to minors. Specifically, it makes it an offense to deliver a bladed product purchased online or otherwise remotely to a residential address without ensuring delivery to a person aged 18 or over.

Key Aspects:

• New Offenses: Creates new offenses related to delivering bladed articles to individuals under 18 years of age when the sale occurs remotely.
• Delivery Restrictions: Imposes restrictions on delivering bladed products purchased remotely to residential premises, requiring delivery to someone 18 or older.
• Seller Responsibility: Places responsibility on both the seller (e.g. online retailer) and the delivery agent to ensure age verification during the delivery.
• Defenses: Stipulates defenses for sellers who can prove they had procedures in place to ensure delivery to an adult and took reasonable precautions. This also includes allowance for verifiable age proof from documentation.
• Enforcement: Gives local authorities additional powers to enforce regulations concerning the sale and possession of offensive weapons, expanding upon existing powers.
• Trusted Couriers: While initially proposed, the concept of "trusted couriers" was removed from the final version of the bill.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. However, costs are anticipated to be associated with enforcement by local authorities and potentially training or resources for those involved in the delivery and sale of bladed products.

Groups Affected

• Online Retailers: These businesses will need to implement age verification procedures for sales of bladed products and ensure compliant delivery practices.
• Delivery Companies: Delivery companies will face new responsibilities to ensure bladed products are handed only to those aged 18 or over.
• Local Authorities: Will have increased responsibilities and powers to enforce the new regulations.
• Individuals under 18: Will face restrictions in accessing bladed products through online purchases.

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