UK Enacts Ronan's Law to Curb Knife Sales

The UK government has introduced 'Ronan's Law' to combat the illegal sale of knives online, named after Ronan Kanda, a teenager murdered with a weapon purchased online. This law mandates stricter age verification for knife purchases and requires online retailers to report suspicious or bulk orders to the police, with penalties of up to two years in prison for non-compliance. The legislation aims to address the vulnerabilities in the current system, which allow blades to be bought and resold illegally, often more easily than controlled substances like paracetamol. Police and government officials urge tech companies to swiftly remove content selling knives illegally, highlighting the role social media plays in these transactions. A dedicated police unit has been funded to enforce these measures and tackle online knife sales. The law is seen as a significant step in reducing knife crime, although campaigners stress that further efforts are needed to address the root causes of such violence.