We also need to decide if it's a restricted or a prohibited machete, or if it might be an antique and not subject to regulation.
If it's an antique, ie, pre-1897, then it's not actually a Machete, and thus is unregulated.
If it has a classic wooden handle and is over 18.5 inches in length, then it's a non-restricted machete, suitable for use by anyone with a machete license, particularly suitable for farmers and hunters clearing fields, chopping trees and such.
If it is between 10.5 and 18.5 inches long and has a black or green handle of anything other than wood (ebony wood excluded - that falls into the 'grandfathered antique' status even for modern reproductions) then it's deemed to be a Restricted machete, and is only suitable for use on specific licensed sites. We can call those sites 'machete ranges'.
If it's less than 10.5 inches long, and has a folding handle or any form of attachment or the blade is deliberately blackened to hide the glare, it is deemed to be a prohibited machete, and is too dangerous for the public to own. We're going to do a buy-back program for these prohibited machetes. However. We don't know how long that'll take to set up, so we'll spend $40 million a year to design a program, go to tender on the plan a couple of times, get rejected by Canada Post and other carriers so people can't mail them in to us, but we'll keep talking about how by making them prohibited, we're making the country safer, despite them still being in everyone's homes that had them.
Sound sensible....? Or pointless...?
bc.ctvnews.ca
