Barbara G. Haller
Worcester City Councilor
455 Main Street Room 112
Worcester, MA 01609
Councilor,
This letter relates to the proposed ordinance creating a $300 fine for carrying a knife larger than 1.5” within city
limits. This law, while proposed out of good purpose – prevention of violence – is too broad. Many people (as
mentioned by in the article in the Telegram) carry knives for personal use and recreation, most of which are larger
than 1.5”. A large number of students at your alma mater, WPI, carry knives throughout the day with no violent
intent.
There are two different basic kinds of government - those that rule arbitrarily and those that rule through law. In the
United States, the US Constitution sets down the rules for how government is to operate. The legislative branch
writes laws, the judicial branch interprets them, and the exectutive branch enforces them.
When a government lets people break its laws for a long period of time, this gives them a false impression that they
are not going to get prosecuted for what they currently do.
While the current increase in knife violence in our city is worrying, we the undersigned feel that the proposed
ordinance will restrict the freedom of outdoorsmen and engineers who carry knives. Most popular multitools of
Swiss Army and Leatherman brands contain knives of 2” or longer.
If a law should not be enforced for a certain set of situations, it should be worded so as not to apply to that set of
situations. All this law will do is create another way police can arbitrarily punish the citizens. Mr. Palmieri has
stated that this law is justified as people should not carry weapons in nightlife establishments: if this is the purpose
of the law, let the law reflect its purpose and not apply to the entire city.
Sincerely,
Worcester Students & Citizens for Personal Freedom