CARRYING OF KNIVES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29077, 14 December 1959, Page 17

CARRYING OF KNIVES

Law Effective In New York

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9.20 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 12. A law making it illegal for youths under 21 to carry knives in public became effective in New York City yesterday. Within a few hours' of the move, a 14-year-old girl was slashed in the face, chest and stomach by a razor-wielding teenaged girl on a subway train in lower Manhattan. The victim’s condition was reported by hospital authorities late last night 'as “fair.” , • ■ . The new law states that It is “unlawful for any person under 21 to have in his possession in any public place, street or park, any knife or any sharp instrument.’’Offenders can be.fined 50 dollars, be sent to gad fbr 30 days, or both. The measure is part of Mayor Robert Wagner’s “get tough” policy to combat juvenile .crime. Signing the Bill into law, Mayor Wagner said: “I am not going to delay signing this Bill a single minute, because its immediate enforcement might prevent someone being murdered or. seriously Wounded.” A few hours later, and' only a short distance away, in an underground train. Rose Garner, aged 14, was slashed with a straight* edged razor.