Well I generally don't get too drawn into such topics but I'm feeling expressive this morning.
Here's my take...
First, humans and metal detectors are not foolproof. Just because nothing was found doesn't mean a whole lot. Many people are quite adept at identifying LEOs (and avoiding them). Knives aren't always made out of metal. There are many places on your person to conceal a knife and most "acceptable" pat downs do not search all of these places.
From the point of view of an American...
Its a shame to see such a story - patrolling the streets with metal detectors looking for people carrying knives has got to be one of the dumbest things I've seen in a so called free country. But then again I see something very similar happen in my own country every time I walk into the airport. Americans still wouldn't put up with LEOs doing knife "Terry" stops to everyone walking out on the streets... yet.
If you ban guns, and people will kill each other with swords. Outlaw swords and people will kill each other with knives. Restrict knives and people will kill each other with IEDs, chemicals, bows and arrows, blowguns, slingshots, catapults, bats, rocks, sharp sticks, animals, bad breath, etc. Oh, and on top of that people will still be using guns and knives for crimes, as they are very easy to obtain elsewhere and not too difficult to manufacture.
The problem doesn't lie with the gun or knife or pointy stick itself, rather the person using it. Here's where good social programs, good education, etc come into play to reduce the "need" of some individuals to commit some crimes. However there is no ideal, utopian society where all citizens are "good." There will always be those who fall outside the norm, and thus not all crime can be prevented even violent crime. But running around with metal detectors is not the answer.
Some people definitely should not be permitted to own a gun. Some people likely have done things where their rights should be taken away. But taking away the freedoms of the entire population is not going to solve the problem. Sometimes it seems democratically elected governments forget who is in charge... the people. It is embarrassing when the system fails and things such as the Patriot Act are drafted, passed, and upheld... but then again, most people don't even know what's going on. A very very large majority have never even bothered to read things like the Patriot Act.
Meh... lets move along.
Why would I carry a knife with me? Other than a SAK?
For most things I don't need anything more than a SAK, quite true. And thus most of the time I don't carry a tactical folder. But sometimes I know I will need a knife that is easier to open, say with gloves on or with one hand; or I know I will need a knife that will stay securely open as I'm cutting because I like my fingers; or I need a knife with a larger blade when I will be cutting something rather thick; or I need a knife that will more efficiently cut hence the need for a serrated blade; or I know I will be cutting in close proximity to another person therefore I want a not-pointy tip. And yes these situations come up for me often enough that I do buy knives for specific jobs at work. And well... most of the time I walk to work. No reason to drive for 10 minutes when I can walk it in 25 minutes.
Do I carry a knife for self defense? No. Do I carry a firearm for self defense? No. Do I even own a Firearm? Not at the moment. Do I know how to effectively use a gun? Yes ...knife, sword, stick, pen, elbow, foot, hand? Yea. Do any of those compare to using my brain? No. Would I use any and all of the above means to defend myself, my loved ones, or those who are unable to defend themselves? Yes. But do I carry a knife around for the purpose of using it on another human? Definitely not.
Many (but surely not all) who carry weapons "for self defense" are simply scared of other human beings. Low self confidence, prejudice, delusions of heroism, fear mongering by the government and the media all contribute to the belief that we could be attacked by (fill in the blank) at any minute; and that it is better if they have a weapon with them... everywhere. You can often identify such people by all the name calling they do.
If I were to walk on the wrong side of the tracks, wear the wrong colors, etc in some places I definitely am at risk; but a vast majority of the time I can prevent this situation from ever happening by using my brain. There are few times when any civilian will actually need to use a weapon. There are many times where one might need a good knife. It isn't a bad thing for most law abiding citizens to posses a weapon. But then again what exactly makes something a weapon?
... thats a huge topic in itself and not for this post.
It is sad to see so many rights disappear under the guise of security... while at the same time so many individuals have such fear of their fellow man and claim they need weapons for safety.
