Banning samurai swords

[Amby 490]

Neil just told me that his friend's brother was robbed in his home by "a nut with a samurai sword" apparently they locked him in a cupboard. the alternative was to be chopped into pieces

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

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.

Shabby chic....it goes with the framed painting of poker playing dogs and Budweiser mirrors.

[almaty 19]

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.

Shabby chic....it goes with the framed painting of poker playing dogs and Budweiser mirrors.

and the velvet elvis

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

He gave up to the stick because he didn't want to make problems. I think it's sad, because he never did. She did, and for no reason other than her imaginative mind. It's the same with the sword. Because someone thinks "Kill Bill" having a sword on his wall = public menace?

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.

[Fandango 1,439]

He gave up to the stick because he didn't want to make problems. I think it's sad, because he never did. She did, and for no reason other than her imaginative mind. It's the same with the sword. Because someone thinks "Kill Bill" having a sword on his wall = public menace?

Didja hear the latest? The yellow jumpsuit is next!

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

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.

Shabby chic....it goes with the framed painting of poker playing dogs and Budweiser mirrors.

and the velvet elvis

Amen to that, brother. Throw in shag carpeting and you got yourself a place bring to over the ladies...awwww yeah.

Edited December 17, 2007 by Mister Fancypants

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

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.

Shabby chic....it goes with the framed painting of poker playing dogs and Budweiser mirrors.

and the velvet elvis

Or those hideous and hideously overpriced life-size porcelain dogs.

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

He gave up to the stick because he didn't want to make problems. I think it's sad, because he never did. She did, and for no reason other than her imaginative mind. It's the same with the sword. Because someone thinks "Kill Bill" having a sword on his wall = public menace?

I think it's sad as well and I'd be mad as hell if I were him. I would have fought tooth and nail on the issue. As for having a sword on your wall, as the OP stated, they're not going after collectors, just banning the possession of such a weapon in public.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

There's no valid reason for carrying one of those around in public - outside of a professional kendo tournament, or some such.

A mate of mine from home used to own a martial arts supplies shop that sold all that kind of stuff. Apparently under UK law you are allowed to carry weapons like that around if you're transporting them to your home on the day of purchase and can present a receipt.

[Fandango 1,439]

He gave up to the stick because he didn't want to make problems. I think it's sad, because he never did. She did, and for no reason other than her imaginative mind. It's the same with the sword. Because someone thinks "Kill Bill" having a sword on his wall = public menace?

I think it's sad as well and I'd be mad as hell if I were him. I would have fought tooth and nail on the issue. As for having a sword on your wall, as the OP stated, they're not going after collectors, just banning the possession of such a weapon in public.

Read it again:

LONDON (Reuters) - The government said Wednesday it would ban the sale of samurai swords because the weapons had been used in a number of serious, high-profile attacks.

The Home Office said the swords would be added to the Offensive Weapons Order from April next year, meaning they could not be imported, sold or hired.

However collectors of genuine Japanese swords and those used by martial arts enthusiasts would be exempt from the ban.[

....

"We recognize it is the cheap, easily available samurai swords which are being used in crime and not the genuine more expensive samurai swords which are of interest to collectors and martial arts enthusiasts."

So it's essentially 'feel good bull$hit legislation' because there are exemptions for the more expensive swords...so if a lunatic wants to attack ppl with a samurai sword, it's just gonna cost a bit more dosh, is all.

So the guy who wants a replica on his wall cos he can't buy a proper one is the one who loses out here.

Edited December 17, 2007 by LisaD

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

Well, I'm going to start my fake silver collection starting tomorrow...I'll be the envy of all my friends.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Exactly! I have no problem with telling someone not to carry a sword in their hands around town. I have a big problem with someone telling them they can't purchase one for their own private use.

He gave up to the stick because he didn't want to make problems. I think it's sad, because he never did. She did, and for no reason other than her imaginative mind. It's the same with the sword. Because someone thinks "Kill Bill" having a sword on his wall = public menace?

I think it's sad as well and I'd be mad as hell if I were him. I would have fought tooth and nail on the issue. As for having a sword on your wall, as the OP stated, they're not going after collectors, just banning the possession of such a weapon in public.

Read it again:

LONDON (Reuters) - The government said Wednesday it would ban the sale of samurai swords because the weapons had been used in a number of serious, high-profile attacks.

The Home Office said the swords would be added to the Offensive Weapons Order from April next year, meaning they could not be imported, sold or hired.

However collectors of genuine Japanese swords and those used by martial arts enthusiasts would be exempt from the ban.[

....

"We recognize it is the cheap, easily available samurai swords which are being used in crime and not the genuine more expensive samurai swords which are of interest to collectors and martial arts enthusiasts."

So it's essentially 'feel good bull$hit legislation' because there are exemptions for the more expensive swords...so if a lunatic wants to attack ppl with a samurai sword, it's just gonna cost a bit more dosh, is all.

So the guy who wants a replica on his wall cos he can't buy a proper one is the one who loses out here.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Again this is not a precedent for the UK. High profile crimes in the past have resulted in various restrictions and bans of offensive weapons, specifically pocket knives and guns, as well has higher sentences for crimes involving those weapons.

This Samurai sword thing is such an obscure one that it seems hardly worth the bother - but at the same it impacts an extremely small number of people.

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

Samurai swords don't kill people, stab wounds do.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

that's like:

"It wasn't the bullets that killed him. It was the fall down the lift shaft onto them"