Citing a desire to crack down on crimes committed with machetes and other long-bladed weapons, the Manitoba government is introducing a new bill that would regulate their retail sales.
“Our government is committed to getting tough on crime and this new legislation would help keep our communities safer by restricting access to weapons such as machetes, knives and swords,” said Justice Minister Matt Wiebe. “We’ve heard loud and clear: the purchase of these weapons needs to be restricted. We’re pleased to be moving forward to take real action to make our streets safer.”
According to a provincial release, Bill 39 would be called the long-bladed weapon control act. It would require retailers to securely store long-bladed weapons so the public can’t access them without assistance, prohibit the sale of such weapons to anyone under 18, require anyone buying a weapon of this type to present photo ID, and require retailers to maintain records for a minimum of two years.
“Manitoba has seen significant success in deterring crime through regulating the retail sale of products targeted for criminal purposes,” said Wiebe. “Access controls, age restrictions and identification and record-keeping requirements have proven effective at combatting crime. Our government is expanding this approach to address long-bladed weapon violence in the province.”
The bill defines long-bladed weapons as having a metal blade at least 30 centimetres in length. The minister noted the definition could be expanded through regulation to include certain features or characteristics, in response to emerging community safety needs.
If passed through the legislature, the bill would take effect on proclamation and be accompanied by regulations that would include additional long-bladed weapon features and characteristics, as well as exemptions where necessary, noted Wiebe. The minister added the province plans to consult retail businesses, law enforcement and Indigenous leadership to develop the regulations in the coming months.
The province also said the bill would apply to online retailers shipping weapons into the province.
