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This is just too much - bloody UK, I am fuming. Talk about a nanny state...... >

I am on my soap box as I just found out that from the 6th April 2008, the UK Government has banned the selling, making, hiring or importing of Samurai Swords into England and Wales. Those breaking the law face six months in jail and a £5,000 fine. There are exemptions covering swords which are used for re-enactments or antique weapons aged over 100 years kept on display by collectors.

I have been promising myself a genuine display ceremonial sword for many years and later this year during a visit to Asia I was hoping to purchase one. My motivation, without going too deeply into it, is their beauty and the history of the Samurai, which is something that interests me. Well now I can't have one, unless I'm willing to spend thousands on an antique - I can go and buy a shotgun and countless other types of weapons here, but not a Samurai Sword................. this place sucks!!!

Rant over....................

GG

I must admit I am disappointed that it's been left to me to challenge Tim's well presented but fundamentally flawed assertion that we are living in a nanny state by adding Samurai Swords to the list of banned weapons set out in the Criminal Justice Act (Offensive Weapons) order 1988 (amended 2008).
I usually enjoy our regular disagreements but due to the fact that I am, at last, going to meet my favourite sparring partner and good friend for the first time next Monday at the RAH, I would like to put this one one the back burner until after that date. Coward? yes

Well here's a snippet of my counter argument, which is a little cryptic - but what have Sharks and Samurai Swords got in common?

I also have practical and field experience than spans from 1982 to parry with!

GG