Don't forget that the book 1984 was set in the UK. It has become the ultimate nanny state. Even Big Brother would be better than Big Nanny. I wonder if the Sikhs there can still carry the kukuris? You could always change your religion. Down South, gentlemen were expected to carry knives. Women were always borrowing them to sharpen a pencil or cut a thread or such. We were even allowed to carry them in school, except for switchblades.