Banning samurai swords

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Same could be said for an archery set. So ban the sport of archery? How about a baseball bat? Designed very effectively for smashing the brains out.

Sorry, in the right hands any object can go against public safety issue.

You seem to be missing the point. If someone wants to commit murder there is an unlimited number of things you can use as a weapon, be it a tacky decoration like a fake sword or the family car. You can't ban everything that can be used.

In the case of very sharp and long sword, crafted and developed to do maximum damage quickly, I'd say it's reasonable to limit where and when someone could possess one. It's a public safety issue. I imagine it would be very difficult for the average person to defend themselves from being attacked by such a sword and one person with a sword like that could fend off a lot of unarmed people who'd attempt to bring them down.

[Fandango 1,439]

Lisa, I had already mentioned that.

You seem to mistake me for someone who wants to ban everything that can be used as a weapon.

I'm glad I'm the only one indulging in hyperbole here!

ahh, my bad then...musta missed that bit....

Gary, your bow and arrow reminded me of a Mitch Hedberg joke:

Imagine if an bow and arrow killed you. That would suck. An arrow killed you? They would never solve the crime. "Look at that dead guy. Let's go that way."

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Same could be said for an archery set. So ban the sport of archery? How about a baseball bat? Designed very effectively for smashing the brains out.

Sorry, in the right hands any object can go against public safety issue.

You seem to be missing the point. If someone wants to commit murder there is an unlimited number of things you can use as a weapon, be it a tacky decoration like a fake sword or the family car. You can't ban everything that can be used.

In the case of very sharp and long sword, crafted and developed to do maximum damage quickly, I'd say it's reasonable to limit where and when someone could possess one. It's a public safety issue. I imagine it would be very difficult for the average person to defend themselves from being attacked by such a sword and one person with a sword like that could fend off a lot of unarmed people who'd attempt to bring them down.

It is the same thing...trying walking down a city street armed with a bow and arrow and see if the cops don't stop you. I'm not sure exactly what the regulation is, but from what I understand there are many weapons that you can't simply carry about in public. My guess is that is what the ban on Samurai swords it about. While one can get a hunting license for a bow, you don't go hunting with a sword, but in any case I would agree that people should be able own such weapons for the right reasons, collections or for hunting, but not for using as some form of personal protection as they would create a public safety hazard.

Like I mentioned before, brass knuckles as well as nunchucks are banned in many states.

Edited December 17, 2007 by Mister Fancypants

[mawilson 2,133]

It is the same thing...trying walking down a city street armed with a bow and arrow and see if the cops don't stop you.

I don't see why they would.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It is the same thing...trying walking down a city street armed with a bow and arrow and see if the cops don't stop you.

I don't see why they would.

Public safety. Anyone posing a potential threat to the safety of others.

[mawilson 2,133]

It is the same thing...trying walking down a city street armed with a bow and arrow and see if the cops don't stop you.

I don't see why they would.

Public safety. Anyone posing a potential threat to the safety of others.

Maybe where you live the cops have nothing better to do than harass citizens with bows and arrows.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Here's some info on the legality here in the states:

Owning a sword on your own property (home and office included, but not shared apartment space without Landlord's prior approval) is protected by the second amendment in the states. Your landlord may have a problem, though. Ask them first.

Carrying a sword, however, is not nearly as open. Here's the New York Law, state law is up top and NYC law is below. Note: when they say "possession", they mean carrying in a public place.

Quote:

D. The provisions of subdivisions b and c of this sections shall not apply to (1) persons in the military service on the state of New York when duly authorized to carry or display knives pursuant to regulations issued by the chief of stall to the governor; (2) police officers and peace officers as defined in the criminal procedure law; (3) participants in special events when authorized by the police commissioner (4) persons on the military or other service of the United States, in pursuit of official duty authorized by federal law; or (5) any person displaying or in possession of a knife otherwise in violation of this section when such a knife (a) is being used for or transported immediately to or from a place where it is used for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking or any employment, trade or occupation customarily requiring the use of such knife; or (B) is displayed or carried by a member of a theatrical group, drill team, military or para military unit or veterans organization, to from or during a meeting, parade or other performance or practice for such event, which customarily requires the carrying of suck knife or © is being transported directly to or from a place of purchase in such a manner as not to allow easy access to such knife while it is transported; or (d) is displayed or carried by a duly enrolled member of the Boy or Girl scouts of America or similar organization or society and such display or possession is necessary to participate in the activities of such organization or society.

Don't carry a sword for fun. Carry it directly to your class/show/whatever and directly back. Stopping for gas is considered traveling. Stopping for dinner is putting yourself at risk of overzealous cops.

Also, I'm not sure about the subway system. If they have a sign saying "no guns", they will have a problem with someone carrying a katana onboard.

http://www.fightingarts.com/ubbthreads/sho...an=0&page=0

Edited December 17, 2007 by Mister Fancypants

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It is the same thing...trying walking down a city street armed with a bow and arrow and see if the cops don't stop you.

I don't see why they would.

Public safety. Anyone posing a potential threat to the safety of others.

Maybe where you live the cops have nothing better to do than harass citizens with bows and arrows.

Why don't you try it then? How many people have you seen wielding a weapon in public?

[mawilson 2,133]

It is the same thing...trying walking down a city street armed with a bow and arrow and see if the cops don't stop you.

I don't see why they would.

Public safety. Anyone posing a potential threat to the safety of others.

Maybe where you live the cops have nothing better to do than harass citizens with bows and arrows.

Why don't you try it then? How many people have you seen wielding a weapon in public?

Carrying (e.g. in your backpack) and wielding are two different things.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Hows about this one... Truly happened in my neck of the woods. We have man that enjoys walking around the town every day. He can be spotted pretty much any time of the day somewhere. He always carried a hicking stick. He walked with it for over 10 years. All the children playfully called him "Stick man or stick guy". Two years ago, some new neighbour called the police on him. Her complain, his stick "could" be used as weapon. He intimated her. The local police actually forced him to stop carrying his stick, that was designed for walking and hiking. He ended up splitting his stick into many splinters. He now walks with a toothpick. He never physically threatened anyone. Was he really a public hazard? I hardly think so.

It is the same thing...trying walking down a city street armed with a bow and arrow and see if the cops don't stop you. I'm not sure exactly what the regulation is, but from what I understand there are many weapons that you can't simply carry about in public. My guess is that is what the ban on Samurai swords it about. While one can get a hunting license for a bow, you don't go hunting with a sword, but in any case I would agree that people should be able own such weapons for the right reasons, collections or for hunting, but not for using as some form of personal protection as they would create a public safety hazard.

Like I mentioned before, brass knuckles as well as nunchucks are banned in many states.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It is the same thing...trying walking down a city street armed with a bow and arrow and see if the cops don't stop you.

I don't see why they would.

Public safety. Anyone posing a potential threat to the safety of others.

Maybe where you live the cops have nothing better to do than harass citizens with bows and arrows.

I saw a video a few years back on one of those "Extreme Videos" shows. A guy decided to stand on a street corner with his samurai sword in plain sight. He hadn't actually done anything, just hang out - brandishing his sword - but the cops showed up tried to disarm him. The guy must have been on PCP as they blasted him with firehoses after the cops gave their verbal warning, and he wouldn't let go of the sword.

I dunno about anyone else - but I can't imagine why I would want to own a samurai sword. I'm not a samurai, moreover I'm not of Japanese or more specifically - of Samurai descent. Average Joe owning one seems a little crass IMO. I can't see why anyone would want one - but then again I don't collect that kind of stuff, and the BudK catalogs we get give me the impression that these things are the domain of Trailer-dwelling Southerners with prehistoric mullets.

Besides - why is everyone getting so crazed about this? The UK effectively banned guns after Dunblane, and the public carrying of knives after a headmaster was stabbed by one of his own students. Its hardly a prededent, even if it is silly.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It is the same thing...trying walking down a city street armed with a bow and arrow and see if the cops don't stop you.

I don't see why they would.

Public safety. Anyone posing a potential threat to the safety of others.

Maybe where you live the cops have nothing better to do than harass citizens with bows and arrows.

Why don't you try it then? How many people have you seen wielding a weapon in public?

Carrying (e.g. in your backpack) and wielding are two different things.

It also depends if you're just transporting it or actually carrying it around (possession), as per New York State law. The police have within their discretion to deem what they think is a possible public safety concern while respecting individual rights. If you got harassed by the cops because had a bow slung on your back and quiver of sharp arrows, you could fight it, but unless you had an innocuous reason as to why you were carrying it around, you wouldn't get very far in court.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It is the same thing...trying walking down a city street armed with a bow and arrow and see if the cops don't stop you.

I don't see why they would.

Public safety. Anyone posing a potential threat to the safety of others.

Maybe where you live the cops have nothing better to do than harass citizens with bows and arrows.

I saw a video a few years back on one of those "Extreme Videos" shows. A guy decided to stand on a street corner with his samurai sword in plain sight. He hadn't actually done anything, just hang out - brandishing his sword - but the cops showed up tried to disarm him. The guy must have been on PCP as they blasted him with firehoses after the cops gave their verbal warning, and he wouldn't let go of the sword.

I dunno about anyone else - but I can't imagine why I would want to own a samurai sword. I'm not a samurai, moreover I'm not of Japanese or more specifically - of Samurai descent. Average Joe owning one seems a little crass IMO. I can't see why anyone would want one - but then again I don't collect that kind of stuff, and the BudK catalogs we get give me the impression that these things are the domain of Trailer-dwelling Southerners with prehistoric mullets.

Besides - why is everyone getting so crazed about this? The UK effectively banned guns after Dunblane, and the public carrying of knives after a headmaster was stabbed by one of his own students. Its hardly a prededent, even if it is silly.

I think they are beautiful pieces of craftsmanship. I have no problem with people owning them, but I think many here are confused between ownership of a weapon and possession of that weapon in public. In essence, most weapons are outlawed in public except for self defense.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Hows about this one... Truly happened in my neck of the woods. We have man that enjoys walking around the town every day. He can be spotted pretty much any time of the day somewhere. He always carried a hicking stick. He walked with it for over 10 years. All the children playfully called him "Stick man or stick guy". Two years ago, some new neighbour called the police on him. Her complain, his stick "could" be used as weapon. He intimated her. The local police actually forced him to stop carrying his stick, that was designed for walking and hiking. He ended up splitting his stick into many splinters. He now walks with a toothpick. He never physically threatened anyone. Was he really a public hazard? I hardly think so.

That's why we have courts. You can fight for your rights....you may not always win, but if you have a strong argument that your walking stick is just that, I'd venture to say that you'd win in court over that one.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It is the same thing...trying walking down a city street armed with a bow and arrow and see if the cops don't stop you.

I don't see why they would.

Public safety. Anyone posing a potential threat to the safety of others.

Maybe where you live the cops have nothing better to do than harass citizens with bows and arrows.

I saw a video a few years back on one of those "Extreme Videos" shows. A guy decided to stand on a street corner with his samurai sword in plain sight. He hadn't actually done anything, just hang out - brandishing his sword - but the cops showed up tried to disarm him. The guy must have been on PCP as they blasted him with firehoses after the cops gave their verbal warning, and he wouldn't let go of the sword.

I dunno about anyone else - but I can't imagine why I would want to own a samurai sword. I'm not a samurai, moreover I'm not of Japanese or more specifically - of Samurai descent. Average Joe owning one seems a little crass IMO. I can't see why anyone would want one - but then again I don't collect that kind of stuff, and the BudK catalogs we get give me the impression that these things are the domain of Trailer-dwelling Southerners with prehistoric mullets.

Besides - why is everyone getting so crazed about this? The UK effectively banned guns after Dunblane, and the public carrying of knives after a headmaster was stabbed by one of his own students. Its hardly a prededent, even if it is silly.

I think they are beautiful pieces of craftsmanship. I have no problem with people owning them, but I think many here are confused between ownership of a weapon and possession of that weapon in public. In essence, most weapons are outlawed in public except for self defense.

The original ones are - the mass produced ones from the catalogs probably not so much... I don't have a problem with people owning them. That said - Samurai Swords are specific to one part of Japanese culture that mostly died out in the 19th century, and completely following the westernisation of Japan after WW2. As I said - it seems to me - rather crass to own one as "decoration" unless you have a genuine interest Japanese culture. I doubt that fits the bill of most owners - but that's just my opinion.