Prohibition on the possession of offensive weapons: supplementary

Offensive Weapons Bill – in the House of Commons at 6:00 pm on 28 November 2018.

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Amendments made: 59, page 26, line 34, at end insert—

(ii) in the words following paragraph (b) for “in religious ceremonies” substitute “for religious reasons”, and”

This amendment modifies the defence to the existing offence of manufacturing or supplying an offensive weapon as it applies to a sword with a curved blade of 50 centimetres or over in length. The effect is that the defence applies where the conduct in question is for making the weapon available for use for religious reasons and not merely for the purpose of participating in religious ceremonies.

Amendment 60, page 26, line 38, leave out “any conduct of that person relating to”

This amendment and Amendment 61 modify the defence to the new offence of a possession of an offensive weapon as it applies to a sword with a curved blade of 50 centimetres or over in length. The effect is that the defence applies to possession for religious reasons and not merely for the purpose of participating in religious ceremonies.

Amendment 61, page 26, line 40, leave out from “that” to end of line 41 and insert “the person possessed the weapon for religious reasons only.”

See the explanatory statement for Amendment 60.—(Victoria Atkins.)

Clause 40

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