As of today, 24 September 2024, it is now illegal to possess “zombie-style” knives and machetes in the UK, following changes to the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The government has implemented the ban as part of a broader effort to tackle rising knife crime.

The outlawed weapons, often marketed as collector’s items, have no practical purpose and are notorious for their intimidating design and association with violent crime. The new law aims to reduce the availability of these dangerous weapons on the streets.

However, questions remain over the severity of the penalties for carrying such weapons. Some have suggested that the sentence for possessing a zombie knife could mirror the minimum five-year sentence for carrying a firearm. Others, however, doubt that the government will impose a mandatory minimum sentence, citing the strain on the UK’s already overcrowded prisons.

“Personally, I can’t see the government bringing in a minimum sentence for carrying a zombie knife,” said one critic. The prisons are too full, and a mandatory term wouldn’t work.

Many argue that while the ban is a positive step, it addresses only a fraction of the larger issue of knife crime in the UK, which has been escalating for decades. “Banning zombie knives is just 1% of the solution,” one observer commented. “Knife crime is a much bigger problem that needs comprehensive long-term strategies, not just quick fixes.”

As the zombie knife ban takes effect, authorities are urging the public to report any suspicions of possession or sales of these weapons. While this ban marks progress in the fight against knife crime, experts warn that much more needs to be done to address the root causes of violence in communities across the country.