Scot sword ban

[Glenn]

Folks, this thread is getting away from blacksmithing and metalworking and is starting to be political. We need to keep things blacksmithing related.

[pete46]

AW MAN! THE REVOLUTION IS OVER!
back to work.

[Gobae]

I see the original post is nearly 2 YEARS old at this point.

Does anyone know what the CURRENT status of the ban is? Did it pass, get hung up in their parlement/legislature, get voted down?

It may also be interesting to note that Ireland proposed a similar ban on "Oriental" swords. Unfortunately, it was worded so broad as to be a sword ban too.

[matt87]

We now have a national ban on 'Samurai swords' [sic]. Badly defined, certain exemptions for collectors of genuine blades, certain martial arts etc. Well, it's not a ban, it's a ban on buying them (swords bought before the ban are grandfathered in).

[Phil Patrick]

So what is the current state of any laws concerning this here in the States? I have always been a little fuzzy on what is a "legal" blade that one can carry here.

[Ian]

As far as having an impact to a maker in England goes I see little here to concern me. Illegal to 'BUY', seems to be the big Hoohaa here, I see no mention of the word 'Sell'

Beside which, if I do make a japanese style Katana then purely by dint of being a hand made replica I think it falls outside of the 'wall hanger' bracket this legislation is aimed at. I'd also guess my prices would keep non serious collectors/enthusiasts away.

[ThomasPowers]

Phil, here in the states the laws are different for every state and for many counties/cities in a state. Need a lot of time to post the thousands of different laws out there!

[matt87]

Originally Posted by Ian

As far as having an impact to a maker in England goes I see little here to concern me. Illegal to 'BUY', seems to be the big Hoohaa here, I see no mention of the word 'Sell'

Beside which, if I do make a japanese style Katana then purely by dint of being a hand made replica I think it falls outside of the 'wall hanger' bracket this legislation is aimed at. I'd also guess my prices would keep non serious collectors/enthusiasts away.

I don't think so. AKCT - New Sword Legislation

I've spent a fair amount of time looking at various pieces of legislation from various countries dealing with various areas. A lesson I've learned is to never assume that the official reason for the legislation and the indended outcome, or even the actual outcome are in any way related.

Also, don't forget mission creep/thin end of the wedge/boiling a frog. According to statue law in the UK we are able to carry a knife with a folding blade with a length of 3" or less, without having to jstify ourselves to whatever authority has been appointed to 'look after' us. Since a certian piece of case law however, that covers locking folders. It's quite clear what the intention of the statute was, but a 'clever' lawyer decided to further his career by arguing that a locked folder is a fixed blade. This legislation was perhaps intended to stop 'Genuine traditional stainless steel Samurai Katana Kill Bill Movie Weapon £25!!!!1111oneoneone' type things, but it already affects other things, like large machetes. how long before someone has it handed down to them that their replica Mediaeval European sword is banned as the two edges curve towards one another at the tip?

[Dodge]

I haven't been following this thread except when it was first posted, but I read AKCT - New Sword Legislation and it pertains exclusively to curved bladed swords. Why would the shape determine its reason for band more so than the length? I am confused! Nothing new LOL but will some one enlighten me?

[Ratel10mm]

Simply because there was one high profile case where a local MP got attacked by a nutter wielding a katana-type sword.