Knife dealer's licence

Mandatory conditions

• The dealer must make detailed written records on the day of the transaction with a customer and retain such records for a period of three years from that date stating the following information:

• the identity of the customer and the means by which the customer’s identity was verified
• the steps taken to establish that the customer was at least 18 years of age at the time of the transaction (including any proof of age or identity sought or the means by which the customer’s age was verified or reasons why such verification was not sought because it was unnecessary)
• a full description of the article sold, hired, lent or given to the customer

• The dealer must ensure that any knives (other than folding pocket knives whose blades do not exceed 3.5 inches (8.91 centimetres) in length or knives designed for domestic use); daggers (other than kirpans and skean dhus whose blades do not exceed 3.5 inches (8.91 centimetres) in length; knife blades (other than those designed for domestic use); swords or any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed and which is made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person or display of such articles is not visible from the street or any public entrance to the premises.

• The dealer must display a notice which must:

• be displayed at all times in a position which is readily visible to customers at the entry to the premises and the point of sale or counter;
• be at least A4 size and on which the lettering must be legible and no smaller than 5mm in height; and
• contain the following wording:

• it is an offence to sell to a person under the age of 18 any knife or knife blade (except if the person is aged 16 or over and the knife or blade is designed for domestic use)

• it is also an offence to sell to a person under the age of 18 any razor blade, axe, sword or other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed and which is made or adapted for use for causing injury
• a customer may be asked to provide details of his/her age and identity (which may be recorded or copied and kept for inspection for up to three years).

The following additional mandatory conditions will be attached to licences when the dealer is carrying on business as a dealer in swords:

• The dealer must take all reasonable steps to establish from the customer and confirm the intended use of any sword.
• The dealer must make detailed written records on the day of the transaction with a customer and retain such records for a period of three years from that date stating the enquiries made of the customer or other persons or bodies as to the intended use of any sword.