Could National Knife Control be Implemented Following Manitoba’s Regulation of Machetes?

January 14, 2025 TruthUSA

Commentary

Chief Angela Levasseur of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation in remote northern Manitoba is facing a significant issue with large knives. Machetes, which are foot-long bush knives popular among campers and farmers, have become the weapon of choice for young gang members terrorizing her 3,500-member reserve.

“Over the last two years, we have seen a really high level of machete crimes committed by youth and on youth in our community,” she said from Nelson House, 850 kilometers northwest of Winnipeg. “It’s just too easy for anyone to possess a machete.” That’s now changing.

Due in part to Levasseur’s lobbying, Manitoba recently passed Canada’s first machete law. The Long-Bladed Weapon Control Act regulates the sale of any knife longer than 30 centimeters. Since the beginning of the new year, sales have been restricted to people 18 years and older, purchasers must show a photo ID, and retailers must track sales.

Based on the demands of advocates such as Levasseur, this may only be the beginning of new knife control measures in Canada—all troublingly modeled on our long and fruitless attempt at controlling guns.

The province claims its new law will keep big knives out of the hands of young criminals. That seems unlikely. Once the act takes effect, it will still be legal for an 18-year-old to buy an armful of machetes and hand them out to fellow gang members. Tougher measures require changes to the federal Criminal Code.

Ottawa is now being pushed in that direction. Coincident with Manitoba’s new law and following a series of horrific knife attacks in Vancouver, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma recently wrote to her federal counterpart asking that machetes be declared a “prohibited weapon,” which would amount to a permanent ban.

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