End of sword collecting in the UK

[spiral]

Well, worst than I had imagined.

So Long kukris are from Aprill now Illegal to buy ,sell or transfer. No exclusian for Antiques or Religious reasons it seems.

Still legal to own if you already posses it.

50cm from top of handle could mean blade length or overal length, depending on what a judge decides first time someone is arrested with one.

If you live in "Blighty" "land of the free" & want a longish curved blade youve got 8 weeks to get it.

Wheres the vomit smiley?

Spiral

[A. G. Maisey]

Right now in the state of NSW, Australia, edged weapons collectors are waiting for the report and recommendations flowing from the review of the Prohibition of Weapons Act.

There will be restrictions on the ownership of swords , as yet we do not know how severe those restrictions will be.

In respect of the UK legislation:- I do not see the term "sword" in the definitions.

Exactly what is and is not a "sword" ?

Richard Burton was unable to define sword, I think from memory he finished up by saying something like :- "well, when you see one, you'll recognise it"

Lacking adequate definition of a "sword" this legislation is for practical purposes not able to be universally enforced. Yes, it will certainly apply to all those easily recognisable swords, but there are many other implements that could be considered to have the nature of a sword, and that could lead to a prosecution being launched. If the prosecution is unsuccessful , this will weaken the law.

From what I have just read in this legislation, it seems to be remarkably poorly drafted. I doubt that much thought went into this.

Consider this:- this legislation relies on a measurement taken from the handle.
If there is no handle, there can be no measurement taken, thus, demount the blade and you no longer have a sword.Perhaps sword collectors may have to consider their collecting in a different form. With many Asian weapons, this would present no problem at all.

[dennee]

The law appears to exempt "antiques," but antiques are defined as at least a century old, and I suppose that the burden of proof will fall to the owner, most weapons not being blessed with a date inscription or detailed provenance.

[Sikh_soldier]

typical Knee-jerk reaction.

Those intent on harming others and possibly themselves, will not be thinking 'oh no, The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons)(Amendment) Order 2008, means I mustn't'
This will not curb the alleged epidemic, but like speed cameras, fines for not wearing seatbelts, using a mobile phone etc, just create easy targets out of us law abiding citizens!

ps
Anyone extremely distressed over the new law, can contact me to sell me their valuable antique arms and armour at a greatly discounted price

Happy collecting 2008!
Best regards to all

Bali

[Andrew]

This very topic necessarily involves political discussion. However, let's stay on topic--which is infuriating enough--and otherwise avoid gratuitous political commentary.

[fearn]

Yes, please! Speaking as an environmentalist, I'd rather talk about the extreme short-sightedness of the British law, rather than go off on all the limits in modern life. I don't like many of the prohibitions either, but in the absence of personal responsibility and reasoned judgement, sometimes they're the only thing that works even slightly.

Does that mean I want to defend this law? --three lines of profanity excised-- NO! I personally think it's a stupid, pointless waste of time, and it's not even a good grandstanding move by the government. As a non-Brit, I'm just not sure what can be done about it, other than mocking any government who thinks that this is a good idea.

I forgotten who said it, but someone noted that while the amount of intelligence and knowledge in the universe is limited, the amount of idiocy and foolishness is not. This is another example of that truism.

F

[Jim McDougall]

In this Orwellian nightmare, does it mean that swords in museums and in private collections are now outlawed and subject to confiscation? I cannot believe that these important artifacts of monumental historical importance can possibly be included in such ridiculous legislation, and that bonified collectors and institutions such as museums would not be exempt.

In the many years I have studied swords and edged weapons, I have sought to convince museums and historical organizations that these artifacts are soundly representative of cultural, traditional and historical symbolism and not to be emphasized as tools of destruction. In many cases, these weapons are deeply imbued with religious significance and often considered elements of art in material culture.

It is time that the legal machine recognizes that criminal action cannot be eliminated by removing weapons themselves, as the inherent behaviour of such individuals knows no bounds in creativity in using all manner of 'weapons of opportunity', and virtually any object will serve.

I can only express outrage and disappointment in this news,

Jim

[Gavin Nugent]

I think this will only pertain to weapons brandished in the streets or found in vehicles or similar situations were the weapons law is not adopted convincingly, I cannot foresee the English police kicking down doors of collectors to get to these edged weapons. This law is an Amendment of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, one would have to find the complete law governing the ownership and use of these edged weapons to comment further I believe. Though saying that, I do wonder what knee jerk reaction there would be if a daft person saw a collector walking from a dealers shop front with a sword? Would that be considered a breach?

Hmmmmm

Gav