{"id":54049,"title":"Licensing system consultation","description":"Ronan\u2019s Law was introduced to close dangerous loopholes in the online sale of knives.  It strengthened age verification, delivery checks, and accountability across platforms.  But as important as this progress is, it was never meant to be the final step","content":"<p>Ronan\u2019s Law was introduced to close dangerous loopholes in the online sale of knives. It strengthened age verification, delivery checks, and accountability across platforms. But as important as this progress is, it was never meant to be the final step.<\/p><p>The Government has now launched a public consultation on introducing a licensing system for the sale and import of knives and bladed items. This is a crucial moment.<\/p><p>A licensing system would help ensure that only visible, traceable, and accountable sellers are allowed to trade in dangerous weapons. It would support responsible retailers who already do the right thing, create a level playing field across the sector, and help close the grey-market routes that allow knives to be sold without proper checks \u2014 often through private resales or social media.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/yd1su6t1ztfby4rnxyarkwv2a5wvskbusamwurzzrxxrccrv.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"yd1su6t1ztfby4rnxyarkwv2a5wvskbusamwurzzrxxrccrv.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>This consultation is not about banning everyday items or targeting legitimate businesses. It is about public safety, responsibility, and protecting children. Good retailers understand this. Those who act ethically already put the safety of their customers and communities first, and a licensing system would reinforce and recognise that commitment.<\/p><p>On this website, we have provided a clear, accessible explanation of what the proposed licensing system could involve, why it matters, and how it builds on the protections already introduced under Ronan\u2019s Law. Our aim is to help individuals, parents, retailers, and organisations understand the proposals fully, so they can engage with the consultation in an informed and meaningful way.<\/p><div data-youtube-video=\"\"><iframe class=\"youtube\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uCGwycraxp8\"><\/iframe><\/div><p>We particularly urge all retailers \u2014 large and small, online and high street \u2014 to take part in this consultation and respond in support of licensing. Responsible retailers already act with care and integrity, and licensing would support good practice, strengthen public trust, and ensure consistent standards across the industry. Engaging with this consultation is an opportunity for retailers to demonstrate leadership, accountability, and a shared commitment to public safety.<\/p><p>This consultation is being driven by a growing coalition of families and survivors who know first-hand what knife violence does to lives and communities. Alongside <strong>Justice for Ronan Kanda<\/strong>, this includes the <strong>Ben Kinsella Trust<\/strong>, led by <strong>Patrick Green<\/strong>, whose work is rooted in the devastating loss of Ben Kinsella; and <strong>Leanne Lucas<\/strong>, the dance teacher who survived the Southport attack and now speaks for victims and those injured by blade violence. Together, this mother-led and survivor-led movement is united in one message: <strong>stronger controls on the sale of knives are essential to save lives \u2014 and this consultation is a critical moment to get it right.<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">People and businesses can take part in the consultation<\/span><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/consultations\/licensing-for-knife-sales\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> here<\/a><span style=\"font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">. Once complete, the Government will publish its response and next steps.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/zfvpanqb1rfxequlvszqsu0scgma8nyd9iosrpzzb5db1wrs.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;project=justiceforronan-299147&amp;v=2\" alt=\"zfvpanqb1rfxequlvszqsu0scgma8nyd9iosrpzzb5db1wrs.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;project=justiceforronan-299147&amp;v=2\" title=\"zfvpanqb1rfxequlvszqsu0scgma8nyd9iosrpzzb5db1wrs.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;project=justiceforronan-299147&amp;v=2\" \/>If you believe dangerous weapons should never be sold without accountability, we encourage you \u2014 as a member of the public or a business \u2014 to take part in the consultation and make your voice heard. The Government will consider responses before setting out its next steps.<\/p><p>Ronan\u2019s Law was the start.<\/p><p>Licensing knife sales is the next step.<\/p><p>Together, we can protect lives and prevent further tragedies.<\/p><p><strong><u>CONSULTATION IS NOW CLOSED, AND WE ARE WAITING FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S NEXT STEPS.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>","urlTitle":"licensing-system-consultation","url":"\/blog\/licensing-system-consultation\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/licensing-system-consultation\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/justiceforronankanda.org\/blog\/licensing-system-consultation\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1766013922,"updatedAt":1775421617,"publishedAt":1775421617,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":294530,"name":"#JusticeForRonan"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/wv687ns6a43yijvbdd6vb0nztgph2xyymwbywlhmzrsucqgs.jpeg?z=2.3642904215466&fx=0.46702572417565&fy=0.78852005851594","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/wv687ns6a43yijvbdd6vb0nztgph2xyymwbywlhmzrsucqgs.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=2.3642904215466&fx=0.46702572417565&fy=0.78852005851594","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/wv687ns6a43yijvbdd6vb0nztgph2xyymwbywlhmzrsucqgs.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=2.3642904215466&fx=0.46702572417565&fy=0.78852005851594"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":55763,"title":"A Turning Point: The National Knife Crime Centre","url":"\/blog\/national-knife-crime-center-nkcc\/","urlTitle":"national-knife-crime-center-nkcc","division":294530,"description":"For years, families like mine have been asking one simple question: How are these weapons so easy to access?Now, for the first time, there is a national effort bringing together policing, government, and communities to answer that question \u2014 and act on it.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/jada35f0prurilu3a9aj7ryik44un2icp0htgvnsjxib84m5.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=1.3&fx=0.49835484490799&fy=0.40221792013686","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/jada35f0prurilu3a9aj7ryik44un2icp0htgvnsjxib84m5.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=1.3&fx=0.49835484490799&fy=0.40221792013686"},"hidden":0},{"id":35878,"title":"A Bench to Remember our Boy Ronan","url":"\/blog\/a-bench-to-remember-our-boy-ronan\/","urlTitle":"a-bench-to-remember-our-boy-ronan","division":294530,"description":"On Friday 12th January 2024 we unveiled a commemorative bench to remember our son, Ronan Kanda.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/f6dw0bfh5aehrfcrr3dvlu8utpjtkg7fwddpdsklqn97gfnk.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/f6dw0bfh5aehrfcrr3dvlu8utpjtkg7fwddpdsklqn97gfnk.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":41080,"title":"Sir Keir Starmer announces Ronan's Law","url":"\/blog\/sir-keir-starmer-and-idris-elba-meet-with-the-families-of-knife-crime-victims-to-discuss-labours-plan-to-tackle-the-issue\/","urlTitle":"sir-keir-starmer-and-idris-elba-meet-with-the-families-of-knife-crime-victims-to-discuss-labours-plan-to-tackle-the-issue","division":294530,"description":"Sir Keir Starmer and Idris Elba met with us and other families of knife crime victims on Tuesday 25th June to discuss Labour's plan to tackle knife crime.  Labour also announced a new law, Ronan\u2019s Law, which will see ninja swords added to the ban on the sale of machetes and zombie knives.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ug0rrxim9vlzwmzzpc4r7aacylo3zxqtwwwvvg6ksqqfguoc.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ug0rrxim9vlzwmzzpc4r7aacylo3zxqtwwwvvg6ksqqfguoc.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}