How a machete-wielding mob's rampage led to new Australian knife laws days later
An
Australian state government is banning the sale of machetes after a violent gang fight in a suburban shopping centre injured a young man.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan announced the ban on the sale of large knives would take effect on Wednesday after machete-wielding gang members clashed at a Melbourne mall on Sunday afternoon.
A 20-year-old man was seriously injured in the fight that involved eight combatants armed with machetes, a police statement said. Four suspects had been arrested and charged by Monday.
'I will introduce as many laws [as needed] to get these dangerous knives off the streets,' Allan told reporters on Monday.
'We will be bringing in place a ban on the sale of machetes here in Victoria and this ban will be in place from midday on Wednesday. Under consumer powers, using these powers, Victoria will be banning machetes from being sold anywhere in the state,' she added.
Machetes are seen during an announcement at Victoria Police Headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: AAP Image via AP
Victoria is the only Australian state or territory that plans to ban machetes, broadly defined as a cutting edge knife with a blade exceeding 20cm (7.9 inches) long. Kitchen knives are not included in the ban.
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