Edmonton Restricts Knife Sales at Convenience Stores to Address Rising Crime

New bylaw limits access to knives in small retailers, aiming to reduce impulsive purchases linked to violent incidents.

Edmonton City Council has passed a bylaw prohibiting convenience stores from selling knives, defined as items with a blade affixed to a handle.
The regulation seeks to address a rise in knife-related violent crimes, which increased from 949 incidents in 2023 to 979 in 2024, according to police data.
The bylaw applies to businesses under 350 square meters selling fast-moving consumer goods, while kitchen and sporting goods retailers are exempt.
Enforcement will be primarily complaint-based, with police authorized to seize prohibited items as necessary.
Full implementation will take up to two years, as businesses are required to comply when renewing or applying for licenses, though voluntary compliance is encouraged immediately.