Legal locks for bike

[mjr]

Skunklock Carbon, this lock will not hold up as long as the first four will against an angle grinder, but it will release a poignant odor!

Is that classed as a firearm in the UK? I think similar splattering locks have been, which makes most use here illegal in practice.@Drago might know.

 

[Alex321]

Is that classed as a firearm in the UK? I think similar splattering locks have been, which makes most use here illegal in practice.@Drago might know.

It could be

Definition of a Firearm in the legislation (Firearms Act 1968) (My bold):
In this Act, the expression “firearm” means—

(a)a lethal barrelled weapon (see subsection (1B));

(b)a prohibited weapon;

(c)a relevant component part in relation to a lethal barrelled weapon or a prohibited weapon (see subsection (1D));

(d)an accessory to a lethal barrelled weapon or a prohibited weapon where the accessory is designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing the weapon;
And "Prohibited weapon" is defined in Section 5 as a number of things, burt the relevant one is:
any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing;

Just depends on whether the "poignant odour" is classed as a noxious gas.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'm pretty sure this question has cropped up before and @Drago enlightened us. And then we all forgot, ungrateful bastards that we are.

 

[All uphill]

I'm pretty sure this question has cropped up before and @Drago enlightened us. And then we all forgot, ungrateful bastards that we are.

I've been paying attention and am pretty sure I remember that Drago's underpants qualify as a noxious weapon.

 

[freiston]

There was some legislation a while back that did imply carrying a lock could be viewed as carrying a potential weapon. The media as usual did it's best to blow things out of all proportion and if I remember correctly, some members here also had fears about it. It's all thankfully blown over now but if it does worry you @Katie6566 then you could always put it in a back pack or saddle bag.
But as said, unless you're waving it about and screaming like a nutcase I think you'll be fine and dandy.

Please excuse me if I'm wrong, but regarding to the legislation you mention, are you thinking about "being equipped to lock on" - regarding protestors locking themselves to things? That's the only thing I can think of where the legality of carrying a bike lock has been questioned (in the media) lately in respect to "new legislation".

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/cri...esters-new-law-tackle-locking-on-b967984.html

 

[Vantage]

Please excuse me if I'm wrong, but regarding to the legislation you mention, are you thinking about "being equipped to lock on" - regarding protestors locking themselves to things? That's the only thing I can think of where the legality of carrying a bike lock has been questioned (in the media) lately in respect to "new legislation".

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/cri...esters-new-law-tackle-locking-on-b967984.html

Can't remember off hand what it was I read but there was a subject about it in the CTC forum.

 

[mjr]

Can't remember off hand what it was I read but there was a subject about it in the CTC forum.

Probably something claiming it's a benefit of Brexit, then.

 

[Brandane]

Hi

I've offered a metal chain to someone who hasn't got a bike lock, but haven't given it to them yet. It crossed my kind that a chain could be seen as a potential weapon, and therefore both carrying it to give it to my friend and for her to use it could get us into trouble.

We're both careful with money and so the idea of reusing items appeals but not if it could get us into trouble with police. Does anyone know what the rules are regarding size, length of chain or if using a purpose made lock is the only option.

Many thanks

Drago is not the only ex Polis on this forum! (But my experience is now 20+ years out of date. Despite that, the law has not changed).

Here is the legislation relating to the carrying of offensive weapons in the UK....

Prevention of Crime Act 1953

The relevant wording is "Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, the proof whereof shall lie on them, has with them in any public place any offensive weapon shall be guilty of an offence."

A bike lock (chain or whatever) is NOT an offensive weapon on its own. There are items which are MADE to be offfensive weapons (e.g. knuckleduster); INTENDED to be an offensive weapon (e.g. a knife if being carried without lawful authority or reasonable excuse); or ADAPTED (e.g. a bike chain wrapped around your hand). So unless you or your friend intend to walk down your local High Street swinging the lock/chain around in an aggressive manner looking to clobber someone with it, you are NOT committing any crime. Pretty much any item can be adapted to be an offensive weapon. The keys in your pocket, your bike pump, drinks bottle, helmet, whatever; the list is endless. So no need to worry.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Drago is not the only ex Polis on this forum! (But my experience is now 20+ years out of date. Despite that, the law has not changed).

Here is the legislation relating to the carrying of offensive weapons in the UK....

Prevention of Crime Act 1953

The relevant wording is "Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, the proof whereof shall lie on them, has with them in any public place any offensive weapon shall be guilty of an offence."

A bike lock (chain or whatever) is NOT an offensive weapon on its own. There are items which are MADE to be offfensive weapons (e.g. knuckleduster); INTENDED to be an offensive weapon (e.g. a knife if being carried without lawful authority or reasonable excuse); or ADAPTED (e.g. a bike chain wrapped around your hand). So unless you or your friend intend to walk down your local High Street swinging the lock/chain around in an aggressive manner looking to clobber someone with it, you are NOT committing any crime. Pretty much any item can be adapted to be an offensive weapon. The keys in your pocket, your bike pump, drinks bottle, helmet, whatever; the list is endless. So no need to worry.

exactly
A Polic e Officer I used to know had an old heavy torch - the type that took about 5 U2 batteries

didn;t give as much light as a much small and lighter modern one
but if he heard something and went to investigate at night then it is perfectly OK to take a torch with him
because it is dark

Then of someone attacks him then he is allowed to defend himself with whatever he has to hand - and "Oh Look - a big heavy torch"
but if he took a similar bike lock to look round some bushes then he would have to explain why he needed it

 

[Dogtrousers]

The point @mjr was making was not that a heavy bike lock could be used to bash someone over the head but that "skunk locks" that release chemicals or others that splatter the would be thief with goop if someone tries to break them, may somehow fall foul of laws to do with firearms

 

[mjr]

"skunk locks" that release chemicals or others that splatter the would be thief with goop if someone tries to break them, may somehow fall foul of laws to do with firearms

Indeed. To be fair, I think @Brandane was answering the original post, more than the recent resurrection.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Prettymuch any item can be adapted to be an offensive weapon. The keys in your pocket, your bike pump, drinks bottle, helmet, whatever; the list is endless. So no need to worry.

Motorcycle helmet maybe. But you'd have to be pretty desperate and / or inventive to make offensive use of a polystyrene cycle helmet

 

[mjr]

Motorcycle helmet maybe. But you'd have to be pretty desperate and / or inventive to make offensive use of a polystyrene cycle helmet

Those stuck-on visors supplied with some helmets are pretty nasty. I've seen a rider cut up by their own one when it detached in a low-speed fall. I'd try to get out of the way if one was swung at me.

 

[Brandane]

A Polic e Officer I used to know had an old heavy torch - the type that took about 5 U2 batteries

I had a 4 cell alloy MagLite torch, for similar reasons. Still have it, somewhere.
U2 batteries... showing your age there . Been size D since I was a boy, and that was a long time ago!

 

[Brandane]

Indeed. To be fair, I think @Brandane was answering the original post, more than the recent resurrection.

Indeed. Hence why I quoted the OP in my post.