Lisa Petrie, 45, is demanding government action after a Daily Record investigation revealed that Rambo knives, similar to the one used to kill her 22-year-old son John McNab, are readily available on UK websites for as little as £44. John was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack on Great Junction Street in Leith, Edinburgh, on September 2 last year. His 17-year-old murderer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was jailed for life at the High Court in Dundee in June.
Mother's Anguish Over Easy Access to Deadly Blades
Lisa, from Leith, expressed her horror at the findings. "These knives are dangerous and deadly. They aren't something you can just walk into a shop and buy or nick from your mum and dad's kitchen drawers. Yet kids are getting their hands on them far too easily," she said. "The fact you can get them delivered right to your door for as little as £44 sends chills right through my body. I can't even look at them because they are a horrific reminder of what happened to my John."
The Rambo knife, a large survival blade popularized by the 1980s film series starring Sylvester Stallone, is illegal to carry or possess in Scotland. However, the Daily Record probe found multiple online retailers offering them. Swords Kingdom lists the blades for £44, Collectible Blades has prices starting at £67, and KBS Knives shows a listing for £108.
Details of the Murder and Legal Response
John was killed just four months after his teen killer was released on bail for a separate slashing of a 16-year-old boy at Portobello Beach. In the moments before his death, John was heard pleading, "Please, please don't. I haven't done anything." After conviction, prosecutors released images of the 20-inch knife used, engraved with "kombat tactical."
Laura Buchan, Legal Director with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), warned about the impact of knife crime. "Within Scotland's prosecution service, we have seen too many cases where young people carrying knives has led to loss of life. Families are left devastated and communities can be left living in fear. The murder of John McNab shows the serious and tragic harm caused when someone chooses to carry and use a bladed weapon," she said.
Calls for Stronger Regulation
First Minister John Swinney and Justice Secretary Neil Gray held talks about a possible knife amnesty in Scotland. While Lisa welcomed the move, she believes stronger action is needed. "These knives can still be so easily purchased and used as murder weapons on our children. Something needs to be done to keep them out of circulation and that means a government crackdown on sites that are selling them," she said.
Former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill backed her calls. "Looking at those who continue to sell rambo and zombie knives is definitely worthwhile. Lisa has suffered a dreadful loss and is trying to prevent other parents from going through what she has suffered. There is no good reason for possessing these weapons - they are purely for glorification and ultimately for misuse and harm," he said. He noted the challenge of online sales and imports, adding, "Anything that can be done to stop these weapons from circulating must be supported."
Our Kids... Our Future Campaign
Lisa spoke out amid the Daily Record's youth violence campaign, Our Kids... Our Future, launched in February 2023. The campaign calls on the Scottish Government to invest in safe spaces for young people. Lisa added, "If the boy that murdered my son had a place to go to keep him off the streets - or access to good role models from a young age - then John might still be here today. Engagement with kids in the community can prevent deaths and tragedies on our streets, but the government must do more to invest. Too many parents are still losing children and all of this must stop before another kid dies."
The Record has approached the UK Government and the Scottish Government for comment.
