Law enforcement: Longer knives won’t make communities any less safe
JACKSON, Tenn. — Longer, bigger knives are now legal for residents to carry around, but officers said they don’t think it will make the community any less safe. “Looking at reports, there doesn’t appear to be an increase of assault on officers with switchblades or knives,” Deputy Chief Patrick Willis of the Jackson Police Department said. He doesn’t believe the new law will affect residents or police. “At this point in time knives are not used in a lot of crimes,” Deputy Chief Willis said, adding that times have changed and the law reflects it. Harry Slatyon of Convenient Pawn in West Jackson agrees. That’s why he says his knife selection is limited. “We are not very heavy on selling knives at all,” Slayton said. Deputy Chief Willis said knives are only used in a fraction of crimes. Opponents of the law argue this law could increase crimes where knives are used as weapons. Deputy Chief Willis said officers are trained and equipped to deal with bigger knives.
