UK to ban Samurai Swords

from the UK Telegraph

"The sale of imitation samurai swords could be banned by the end of the year, the Home Office announced today. Importing or hiring the weapons could also be made illegal following a string of samurai sword attacks in recent years.

Breaching the ban, which is targeted at cheap imitation samurai swords rather than the more expensive genuine collectors' items made by licensed swordsmiths in Japan, would result in up to six months in jail and a £5,000 fine."

They cite a number of cases where some nutjob with a replica sword starts brandishing it and freaking people out - so fair enough, find a way to stop any looney on the street using one.

"At present there are 17 weapons, including knuckle-dusters and batons, on the Offensive Weapons Order. The exemptions would be for groups such as the To-ken Society of Great Britain and the British Kendo Association."

but the rub is always how do you provide for legitimate usage - licensing or some club based restrictions.

Realistically I think the boat may have already sailed on this one - I image there are millions of replica swords floating around the UK so at best this will largely be a nuisance for martial artists. Fingers crossed down under authorities don't jump on the bandwagon - there have been a few similar cases here.