Banning of SAMURAI SWORDS

[ggfh666]

My concern is that it will become a "blade over a certain length" ban.

So no more sayabiki.

Would an zin/alu alloy iaito be considered a sword?

[scruff]

Would an zin/alu alloy iaito be considered a sword?

I certainly hope not! Iirc even the Japanese don't really consider it one.

I have an article at home from a UK Budo company Nine Circles addressing this issue. I'll have to see what they say.

[Ophidian]

"hello can I have a deadly weapon license please" sounds sensible

Oh, you mean a Firearms / Shotgun certificate ?

[jackal]

When you compare it to a shotgun firearms certificate I reckon the idea sounds have sensible. At least it would discourage twits buying cheap ebay ninja assassin junk to scare thier mates with.

[ggfh666]

I certainly hope not! Iirc even the Japanese don't really consider it one.

I have an article at home from a UK Budo company Nine Circles addressing this issue. I'll have to see what they say.

I use a Nine Circles Tokujo iaito for training.

The Japanese don't consider it a sword. Nor a weapon.

[richard ball]

the only comment I will make on this is be carefull when you mention martills arts in refence as a reason to keep or be lieceinced to keep swords as they may turn around and say that you can only keep wooden ones ie Boken, And as for saying that they are for sporting purposes or colocting look at what happened to the hand gun owners.
Richard

[scruff]

I use a Nine Circles Tokujo iaito for training.

The Japanese don't consider it a sword. Nor a weapon.

I was told (and I'm not sure how true this is) that an Iaito is actually designed to break if it were to be used 'as a real sword' could be, in the hands of someone irresponsible.

[ggfh666]

designed to break

That sounds very dangerous to me.
I can imagine pieces of sharp metal flying around and injuring bystanders

As accidents happen, we've had someone hitting a bokken by accident at the handle, just missing the pinky. It cut the wood and did not break.

t you can only keep wooden ones ie Boken
Richard

I can't imagine doing iaido with a boken. It is too short for starters. Good to start with for a few lessons and to do partnered exercises.

[scruff]

That sounds very dangerous to me.
I can imagine pieces of sharp metal flying around and injuring bystanders

As accidents happen, we've had someone hitting a bokken by accident at the handle, just missing the pinky. It cut the wood and did not break.

Thats what I thought at the time (exploding bokken/bokuto and tsuba's are bad enough!)...but it may have been a translation issue more than anything else. The regulation or limit on the number of Japanese shinken was the topic at the time though.

I can't imagine doing iaido with a boken. It is too short for starters. Good to start with for a few lessons and to do partnered exercises.

you mean to say ur not tempted to one of those drain pipe thingies to sheath ur wooden sword in?

[jamesbeat]

http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/displa...=sidebarsearch

If you read this letter, from the website of the previously mentioned Exeter paper. It says the campaign is to:

"outlaw the deadly weapons to all but licensed groups" .

like handguns were? oh, that's ok then.......

[shing]

Lets not be niave about these bans and proposals.

when the powers that be considers a ban they only consider the following

1. Is it going to be popular, be demonising particular objects, it makes banning them easier regardless of the facts

2. Whats the political fallout? By doing the first, it reduces the second, if handguns were owned by 5 million rather than 50,000, then we would still have them despite what crimes were commited with them.

3. How much would it cost? Shotguns for example would be difficult to ban even though they are much more deadly than knives and swords because a lot of the rural economy depends on shoots and there is also a significant shotgun and ammo industry. A lot of shooters are also wealthy and influential people. The government don't want to see a lot of highly skilled people loose their jobs and having to pay compensation to companies that have to close and their ears bent by the rich and powerful.

[ggfh666]

you mean to say ur not tempted to one of those drain pipe thingies to sheath ur wooden sword in?

I have a "real" plastic saya

Others use tubes you put golfsticks in. Thay are quite soft and cheap (1£)

[Yamazaru]

This is an interesting, if disturbing proposition, if it is in fact being considered by the powers that be. I think it's probably naive to assume that such a ban would be unlikely or even unenforceable if you consider the remit of the imminently due Violent Crime Reduction Bill. I'm going to try to remain apolitical, but it may be difficult under the circumstances.

I'm sure most of us are aware of the scope of the VCRB in terms of its alterations of the age limit for purchasing knives and what are endearingly referred to as "bladed weapons", but theres also a rather more draconian aspect of it relating to replica firearms, specifically replica imitation firearms (RIFs). The proposals within the bill, which is currently in its second comittee stage at the House of Lords, are to place a complete ban on the sale, importation and manufacture of RIFs. What has this to do with a potential ban on samurai swords?

Essentially, the problem is that the definition of what constitutes an RIF has been left open, with the basic definition being, to paraphrase and simplify horribly, anything that can be mistaken for a firearm by an untrained member of the public. Thus a tube with a handle painted black will technically be an RIF, and by bolting a handle to a tube you've broken the law. There are a number of exemptions granted to the aquisition of RIFs post ban, notablly film and TV and re-enactment. Collectors are, of course, stuffed, because they aren't able to demonstrate the necessary "need" to own an RIF.

Whatever your feelings relating to replica guns, imagine a similar law affecting "samurai" swords, or even swords. Eventually only those deemed to be legitimate end-users will be allowed to purchase these items. Obviously, existing collections will remain with the collectors, but the trade in modern or non-viable antique swords becomes redundant. While its great for practicing martial artists who theoretically get their exemption (although I suspect anyone perceived as wanting to learn to use a sword would actually get demonised), what happens to the average enthusiast who admires these items, would never dream of mis-using them and yet has just been rendered incapable of exercising a basic democratic freedom because of ill-thought out and innefective legislation? Not to mention its the beginning of a slippery slope; let them take swords, and before long you're cutting up your steak with a spoon.

Keep a level head by all means, and certainly ascertain the actual imminence of a potential ban, if indeed there is any. But make no mistake that if theres a few votes in it, at minimal cost to the government this kind of knee-jerk, orwellian legislation can rear up and bite us on the r's, because there's an equivalent piece of it going toward the statute books right as I type.; its just not our turn this time.

(not the best thing to have as your first post, and I apologise if I've inadvertantly breached any site rules )

[Anarcus]

(not the best thing to have as your first post, and I apologise if I've inadvertantly breached any site rules )

Personaly I'd say it was one of the best posts on the subject thus far.

Bought a UKPK yet?

[Danzo]

Hi Yamazaru and welcome

That's a thought provoking and knowledgeable post. I'd welcome more.

Danzo