On a summer evening on June 29, 2022, tragedy struck as my son, Ronan, was walking home and was viciously attacked by two sixteen-year-old boys. They brutally stabbed him twice, piercing his abdomen and heart with a 22-inch ninja sword.
Shocked by the senseless violence and the ease with which dangerous weapons were being obtained and sold, I sought answers and change. How could retailers peddle instruments designed for harm without repercussions? How could they hand over lethal weapons without proper checks in place?
My encounter with Sir Keir Starmer, then the Leader of the Opposition, was a turning point. Despite my initial skepticism towards politicians, I found in him a compassionate listener willing to stand up for justice. The sword that claimed my son’s life was still being sold due to legal gaps from the previous administration.
Sir Keir Starmer made a promise that, once in power, he would ban ninja swords — a pledge that has been fulfilled by the current Prime Minister. The Labour Government has taken a firm stance against knife crime, swiftly enacting measures to combat this destructive trend.
Together with government officials, I advocated for the implementation of Ronan’s Law, which not only prohibits ninja swords but also imposes hefty fines on tech companies hosting knife-related content. Stricter penalties were introduced for retailers selling knives to minors, including a two-step ID verification process.
The government’s proactive approach has effectively closed loopholes and addressed the online weapons market’s dangers. The introduction of an amnesty scheme, which preceded Ronan’s Law, led to a significant number of weapons being surrendered, including ninja swords, through coordinated efforts with various stakeholders.
Through initiatives like the amnesty scheme and the Young Futures program, which focuses on prevention and early intervention, the government is actively addressing the root causes of violence and providing support to at-risk youth.
As I continue to mourn the loss of my son and advocate for change, I stand in solidarity with the government’s commitment to reducing knife crime and creating a safer future for our communities. The impact of Ronan’s Law is profound, and I urge continued collaboration between policymakers, activists, and families to sustain this positive trajectory.
I am deeply thankful for the government’s dedication in enacting robust legislation in honor of my son’s memory. Let us not waver in our efforts to combat knife crime and safeguard our young generations.
