The knife, the axe, and the outrage: When the law punishes the wrong person

By Annie Black  

Nevada News and Views

A strange thing happened on the other side of the Atlantic last week — and it’s got folks in places like Las Vegas and Elko talking about what could happen here if we ever give up our right to self-defense.

On August 24, in Dundee, Scotland, a 14-year-old girl — since dubbed on social media as “Mayah: Young Queen of Scots” — was charged by police for carrying a “bladed weapon” in public.

No one was hurt. No one was attacked.

But the arrest sparked a firestorm online and turned into a big debate about crime, immigration, and whether everyday people are allowed to protect themselves anymore.

Let’s walk through what actually happened — and why it matters all the way over here in Nevada.

The Video That Set It Off

The video, now seen by thousands online, shows two young girls — one around 14, the other even younger — arguing with a man who was filming them near a bus stop in a Dundee neighborhood.

The older girl pulls a kitchen knife from her waistband, then takes a small axe out of her bag. She doesn’t swing it, but she waves both around while shouting.

The man off camera says things like, “Show the knife,” almost daring her to make it worse.

The girls yell back things like “Don’t touch her!” and “Why are you messing with her?”

No violence happened. The girls eventually walked off.

Police later showed up and charged the 14-year-old. No one else was arrested.

What the Law Says There

Now here’s the problem: In the United Kingdom, carrying anything like a knife, pepper spray, or even a stun gun is illegal — yes, even if it’s just for self-defense.

Even if you’re scared. Even if you’re being followed. Even if you think someone’s coming after your little sister.

The law says “no excuses.”

That’s how you end up with a teenage girl being charged while the man filming her, who may have been provoking the situation, walks free.

Police didn’t say he broke any laws, and there’s no official proof of any harassment.

Why People Are So Divided

Online, this story exploded into all kinds of takes.

Some folks said the girl was standing up for herself and her sister against a grown man who scared them.

Others said she was trying to stir up trouble and that her family has a history of bad behavior in the neighborhood.

A few said this was really about Scotland’s rising crime, out-of-control immigration, and a justice system that punishes victims instead of criminals.

Sound familiar?

Right here in Nevada, we’ve heard these same arguments.

We’ve seen repeat criminals walk free while law-abiding citizens get slammed for defending their property.

We’ve heard liberals say “just call the police” when many rural Nevadans know it could take 45 minutes for help to arrive.

This is what happens when you give the government too much power and take away people’s right to protect themselves.

Numbers That Tell the Story

In Scotland, over 2,500 rapes or attempted rapes were reported in just the past year. But conviction rates are below 50 percent.

That’s got women and families scared — and when folks are scared, they start carrying whatever they can.

Here in Nevada, violent crime in places like Clark County rose nearly 8 percent last year, according to local law enforcement.

And thanks to soft-on-crime policies and cashless bail in other states, bad guys often get out before the paperwork is even done.

President Trump just signed an executive order targeting cities and states that let violent criminals walk.

It’s the kind of leadership a lot of folks in Nevada say is badly needed — and long overdue.

The Bigger Message

The girl in Scotland probably isn’t a hero. But she’s not the villain either. She’s a sign of what happens when people no longer trust the system to protect them.

That’s why we have the Second Amendment. That’s why Nevadans support concealed carry laws.

That’s why folks in Elko, Henderson, and Pahrump still believe in standing up for your family — even when the government won’t.

Because once you take away the tools to defend yourself, it’s not just knives and axes you lose. It’s your freedom.

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Annie Black is a former Mesquite City Councilwoman and former Nevada State Assemblywoman