Irish law forbids "samurai swords"

[Grenadier]

Apparently, it went into effect just yesterday:

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/crackdown-on-samurai-swords-1874325.html

A BAN on samurai swords, which are being used increasingly in violent assaults, will come into operation today.

The swords have been added to a list of offensive weapons as a result of changes to existing legislation. Anyone found guilty of being involved in the sale, hire, manufacture or importation of the swords will face a jail sentence of up to seven years from today.

The list already includes weapons such as flick knives, machetes and knuckle dusters and is contained in the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

The legislative changes will target easily obtained samurai swords, which are more likely to be used by criminals.

But exemptions to the ban are included to cover samurai swords manufactured before 1954, when Japan introduced a regulatory system.
There are also exemptions to swords made at any other time, according to traditional methods of creating them by hand. This is to cater for genuine collectors.

Yet another silly law, but it's the law, nonetheless.

Some people may assert "well, it doesn't hurt anyone but crooks," given that they exempt "hand forged" swords, but I doubt they realize that there's no shortage of really cheap "hand forged swords" out there.

Just as a few examples:

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr...=hand+forged+katana&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Stupid laws like this are intended to disarm the public, make the passers look like heroes, and do nothing to actually stop crime since criminals don't obey the law. Idiot laws I call them as only an idiot supports em.

 

[celtic_crippler]

Is it still legal to own a shillelagh?

 

[arnisador]

Sheesh!

 

[mwd0818]

I don't agree necessarily, but I will at least point out a counter argument to the idea that laws like this only hurt law-abiding citizens, the criminals are criminals because they don't care about the law.

This is true, but in today's society with lawyers and legal loopholes and litigation, there is an advantage to having laws like this on the books. It becomes additional grounds for prosecuting real criminals. Arrest a person and charge him with assault with a deadly weapon (samurai sword for example). Criminal's lawyer finds a legal loophole and the charge is dismissed. Criminal walks.

Add in these silly laws, and that same guy is charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Possession of a Samurai Sword, etc. . . Now, at least there are more things that could possibly go through to a conviction, and if that law didn't exist, it eliminates a possibility of prosecution.

Not that I necessarily agree with it, but it is an advantage to having these type things on the books and I think worth at least acknowledging. I look at these things kind of like welfare . . .

In theory I think they are on to something . . .

In practice . . . they are often missing entirely.

 

[Tez3]

Can I point out this is in Eire and Ireland is two countries,Northern Ireland and Eire. Both have their own governments which are voted in by the electorate who don't seem to be complaining. They may however take umbrage at being thought stupid to pass such laws, however it's their country, their laws, up to them.

 

[shesulsa]

I keep waiting to find soylent green on the shelf at the grocery.

 

[grydth]

Can I point out this is in Eire and Ireland is two countries,Northern Ireland and Eire. Both have their own governments which are voted in by the electorate who don't seem to be complaining. They may however take umbrage at being thought stupid to pass such laws, however it's their country, their laws, up to them.

Agreed as to sovereignty issues, but stupid laws are just that irrespective of locale or nation.

Here in New York State, we have one of the stupider laws with regard to martial art weapons.... so I am not singling out the Irish nor would I be condescending about it.

I should most wish to see an Offensive Politician Act, banning those shallow beings who steal our freedom and thereby make us less safe.

I would also note that increasing conviction rates is not always a good thing - not when we are criminalizing ordinary people while the actual killers and slashers too often run free.... a disgusting situation most often noted right here in the USA.

 

[MA-Caver]

When weapons are outlawed only outlaws will have weapons!

Didn't they do this in Australia not too long ago?

Wonders how long before it crosses the pond to here?

 

[CoryKS]

Sweet! Say good bye to violent crime in Eire!

 

[celtic_crippler]

I keep waiting to find soylent green on the shelf at the grocery.

But....it's....PEOPLE!

Sweet! Say good bye to violent crime in Eire!

Absolutely! They have nothing else to worry about now! LOL

 

[Bob Hubbard]

I don't care if they are offended. Similar laws are passing here....I have the same amount of contempt for them.

 

[Ken Morgan]

Stupid useless laws.

Sukerkin will know better then I, but in the UK you must belong to a MA club or be a collector to own a sword.

Is it any wonder so many kids in the UK run around with screw drivers now?

Honestly, carry a baseball bat or a field hockey stick, with an appropriate ball. I would be more afraid of a bat or a stick then of a sword.

 

[girlbug2]

I'm still trying to process the idea that samurai swords are commonly used in committing crimes. WTF?

American criminals seem to prefer knives and guns. You never hear about samurai sword robberies here! Our criminals must be a lower class.

 

[Omar B]

Not exactly the easiest thing to serve as a CCW or even draw properly when comes time to use it.

 

[celtic_crippler]

Stupid useless laws.

Sukerkin will know better then I, but in the UK you must belong to a MA club or be a collector to own a sword.

Is it any wonder so many kids in the UK run around with screw drivers now?

Honestly, carry a baseball bat or a field hockey stick, with an appropriate ball. I would be more afraid of a bat or a stick then of a sword.

...until screw drivers are outlawed as well...unless you're wearing a tool belt of course. ROFL

I mean, seriously... do you actually think you can outlaw any and everything that can be used as a weapon? Really? Do you not think they'll just find something else to use or simply, because they are commiting a crime, use the sword anyway?

I'm still trying to process the idea that samurai swords are commonly used in committing crimes. WTF?

American criminals seem to prefer knives and guns. You never hear about samurai sword robberies here! Our criminals must be a lower class.

Until knives and guns are outlawed...then they'll turn to samurai swords. LOL

Criminals will use whatever is available to threaten and intimidate their victims.

Silly laws that waste my tax money being passed irk me as well.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

The US handles a dozen samurai sword cases a year.

Ireland can ban Samurai swords. Just don't ban Excalibur.

 

[lklawson]

...until screw drivers are outlawed as well...unless you're wearing a tool belt of course. ROFL

I mean, seriously... do you actually think you can outlaw any and everything that can be used as a weapon? Really? Do you not think they'll just find something else to use or simply, because they are commiting a crime, use the sword anyway?

GB's law already has a provision against carrying ANY item with the intent to use it as a weapon.

Everything beyond that is "feel good" law (as if that wasn't in and of itself).

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

 

[lklawson]

Can I point out this is in Eire and Ireland is two countries,Northern Ireland and Eire.

Similar laws have been proposed and passed elsewhere in the British Commonwealth.

I clearly recall Paul McDonald's "Save our Swords" campaign.

Both have their own governments which are voted in by the electorate who don't seem to be complaining. They may however take umbrage at being thought stupid to pass such laws, however it's their country, their laws, up to them.

The issue here is that bed-wetting liberals in the U.S. love to point to "our more civilized friends over seas" and mindlessly drone on about how we need to ape any and every socialistic or freedom denying law enacted. 'Cuz, you know, if they did it over there, it MUST be good!

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

 

[David43515]

On another board I frequent I recall 2 members from the UK being harassed by police. One for using a heavy walking stick to assist him walking up a hill near his home. (Do you really need that cane or are you carrying it as a possible weapon?") And another who was a cricket fan (I know, I don`t get it either) and was walking down the street with a cricket ball in his hand. The police stopped him and began asking him several probing questions because "That could be used as an offensive weapon sir."

Of course, there may be a legitamate reason. Several years ago I recall that Poland was experiancing such a high number of people being beaten up with baseball bats that they considered banning the sale unless you could prove you were a member of a team.