Beware if you carry a Leatherman in QLD…
Warning for anyone interacting with police while wearing a multi-tool.
Got the equivalent of a ramp check driving my (ahem) slightly modified Hilux home a few weeks back and as I was raising the bonnet so Sgt. Reasonable could check the compliance plate, I was suddenly instructed, “Stop. Put your hands on the vehicle and don’t move.”
I beg your pardon?
”I said don’t move. put your hands on the vehicle and do not make any sudden movements.”
Upon complying, he removes my Leatherman multi-tool from its belt pouch and having saved the suburb from the impending stabbing rampage, the conversation progresses as follows;
”Why are you carrying a weapon in public?”
I’m not in public. I’m in my own vehicle on my way home.
”Well, a butcher can’t just walk down the street after work with his knives, can he?”
I’m not walking down the street, I’m in my own vehicle on the way home.
”Your vehicle is classed as a public place. A cowboy can’t go to the pub after work with his knife on his belt.”
(Obviously hasn’t been to a country pub lately.)
But I’m not going to the pub, I’m going straight home.
”Well it needs to be secured. If you get road raged and get out of your vehicle, you have a weapon at close hand. Any judge in QLD is going to convict you.”
What am I going to do, give them the world’s worst purple nurple with the pliers?
Gave up trying to reason with him at this stage. FFS…