Norway Mayor Calls for Ban on Machetes Following Brutal Attacks
Mayor of Oslo Raymond Johansen says the city doesn't have a jungle
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The mayor of Oslo, Norway is calling for a ban on machetes following a series of brutal attacks in the city using the deadly weapon.
Mayor Raymond Johansen argues that Oslo doesn't have a need for the huge knives because the city doesn't have a jungle, which is where machetes are designed to be used.
Johansen, from the center-left Social Democrat party, now wants to outlaw machetes after several incidents in the Norwegian capital.
Last Monday in Oslo, police were called to a brawl where they were told a machete was used by an attacker, although the weapon wasn't recovered.
Police are also reporting an increasing number of incidents where machetes have been used in fights in Oslo.
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The mayor says he has now had enough of the brutal attacks in his city.
Johansen says that the government must ban machetes, but asserts that such actions tend to move “so slowly.”
“I am glad that the Minister of Justice Tor Mikkel Wara made a full reversal in January and would impose a machete ban,” says Johansen.
"It is now half a year ago.
"After tonight’s brawl at Bogerud Metro station, I call for the machete ban from the right-wing government."
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Minister of Justice and Immigration, Jøran Kallmyr, tells newspaper Verdens Gang that the ministry is working on a ban on the sale of machetes, but that it is difficult.
“The Ministry is working on a legal technical delimitation that prohibits the sale of machetes,” says Kallmyr.
"Machetes are not only designed as we see in films but they can often be similar to other knives.
"Therefore, it is demanding to formulate a ban that only affects machete knives and not other utility knives, such as the Sami knife.
"Moreover, carrying a machete or knife in a public place is already prohibited and the police already have that tool available."
