Holidaymaker, reportedly from an open-carry US state, had UK weapons laws explained to him by officers
Police arrested an American tourist who admitted to openly carrying a knife on a British beachfront.
The man had reportedly been as he sunbathing in Herne Bay on Thursday when locals reported to Kent Police that he was carrying a knife.
The American reportedly told officers he came from an open-carry state in the US, claiming he had the blade for protection and was unaware he could not carry it in public in the UK.
After being arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife, he was handed a community resolution where British law around knife crime was “fully explained to him”, police said.
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It is believed the tourist had picked up the steak knife from the kitchen of his rental property close to the coastline on Thursday April 3.
Carrying anything other than a small folding knife without good reason is illegal in the UK, it's as simple as that. "It's for self defense" does not count as a good reason and will get you in deeper trouble as you're basically admitting to being willing to stab someone who "threatens" you.
Knives suck as a defensive weapon though. I'd rather be robbed than be involved in a knife fight, even if I was the only one with a knife when that fight started. Carrying around a knife for defense if fucking crazy!