If you’ve visited Bunnings lately, you might have noticed something interesting. Shane, a mechanic from Queensland, certainly did. He was at the Caloundra Bunnings store on the Sunshine Coast over the weekend to pick up a simple garden hoe. But when he got to the gardening tool section, he was taken aback.
The Mysterious Case of the Locked-Up Knives
Shane discovered that the garden hoe was behind a perspex screen, covered in warning signs alerting customers about new rules. One sign read, “The sale of knives and other controlled items to minors is prohibited.” Another sign said, “Dear customers, please see a team member for access to these products.”
@procheck_automotive New laws? Who comes up with these laws? @Bunnings #procheck #caloundra #sunshinecoast #knifelaws #bunnings #hoe #pick #gardentool #gardening #wtf #law #laws #rant ♬ original sound – Procheck_Automotive
Shane showed his TikTok followers the dozens of bladed items stacked behind the screen. “They’re all locked up, and we need to talk to the customer service team about getting one,” he explained in the clip. But when he tried to get the garden hoe, he was told he couldn’t hold it while browsing the store. Instead, an employee had to escort him to the checkout to purchase it straight away.
What’s Behind the New Rules?
It turns out that new knife laws came into effect in Queensland on September 1 this year. The laws are aimed at reducing the sale of bladed items to minors, who have been involved in a rising number of reported offences involving purchased or stolen items.
As a result, Bunnings has implemented new rules for selling knives and other bladed items in its Queensland stores. Knives and other controlled items cannot be sold to minors under 18, and some products are now securely stored.
The Inconsistent Application of the Rules
Shane, who was left confused by the new rules, pointed out that more dangerous products like shears and saws weren’t behind a screen. “You can go and buy saws, but you can’t go and buy a pick. It’s weird,” he concluded.
Commenters on the TikTok video agreed, calling the new rule “weird” and “ridiculous”. One person declared, “The world has gone mad!”
Bunnings’ Response
Marg Walford, Bunnings’ General Manager of Operations, said the hardware chain worked closely with the local community to ensure customers’ needs were met while also protecting the safety of team members and shoppers.
“We’ve implemented several changes to our Queensland stores to ensure we’re supporting the new legislation’s requirements, including secure storage of certain products and prominent store signage,” Ms Walford said.
What This Means for You
The new laws apply to all people, businesses, and locations that sell affected items outside Queensland and/or to residents of Queensland. This includes a wide range of retailers, as well as online sales, second-hand sales, market sellers, and events.
So, the next time you’re at Bunnings, don’t be surprised if you see some items locked up behind a screen. It’s all part of the new knife laws aimed at keeping our communities safe.