Machete sold to 15-year-old boy (OH NOES!!!)

[Panda]

We are not in love with guns, they are just a part of life here. I only own one. Many people here do not even own a gun but have shot one before. We simply do not overreact when we see someone responsibly using a firearm.

Like I said different cultures. Most people in the UK are perfectly happy with no one owning a gun, there is no need for it.

 

[Valjean]

Replica or original, they're sharp, pointy pieces of metal, equally able to injure. How can you regulate something as ubiquitous as sharp &/or pointy objects?

 

[Kathryn]

Apex, VERY cool collection by the way - my boys would love those.

Does anyone see the irony here? The person from the UK is so appalled by Americans' enjoyment of guns - and the very reason we are so protective of our 2nd ammendment right to bear arms is because we used our private militias and privately owned weapons to overthrow the British 200+ years ago! I just think that's funny.

Americans love independence and gun ownership is an integal part of our history and heritage.

My dad taught me about responsible gun ownership when I was just a kid. And - I've had to use a gun to actually defend myself against a group of thugs - and it was very effective. I didn't even have to fire a shot. The second they realized I was "packing" they took off in a cloud of dust.

 

[monta]

Apex, VERY cool collection by the way - my boys would love those.

Does anyone see the irony here? The person from the UK is so appalled by Americans' enjoyment of guns - and the very reason we are so protective of our 2nd ammendment right to bear arms is because we used our private militias and privately owned weapons to overthrow the British 200+ years ago! I just think that's funny.

Americans love independence and gun ownership is an integal part of our history and heritage.

My dad taught me about responsible gun ownership when I was just a kid. And - I've had to use a gun to actually defend myself against a group of thugs - and it was very effective. I didn't even have to fire a shot. The second they realized I was "packing" they took off in a cloud of dust.

There isn't a country in the world that doesn't have some violent uprising in its' past, and yet feel perfectly comfortable not arming themselves with handguns.

 

[Kathryn]

There isn't a country in the world that doesn't have some violent uprising in its' past, and yet feel perfectly comfortable not arming themselves with handguns.

To each his own. I think it's extremely short sighted to only allow the government to own weapons though.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

There isn't a country in the world that doesn't have some violent uprising in its' past, and yet feel perfectly comfortable not arming themselves with handguns.

Sure there is, the US. We have a violent uprising in our past and we feel perfectly comfortable arming ourselves to the teeth. I also think countries with this attitude out number the other.

 

[Apex]

I went looking for some info on swords in the UK, here is some of what I found.

Here is some info from a UK sword site.
Swords, Blades UK, Sword, knives, Martial Arts, Samurai, Samuri, Lord Rings, Movie Collectables
It seems they say it is illegal for you to own or purchase a sword unless you are willing to fork out $60-$80 for a high quality sword and/or purchase a membership at a club. I find it strange they are trying to remove all the cheap crappy blades yet still allow everyone to purchase the high quality, extremely sharp and very functional, blades.

Illegal Goods

Samurai and other curved Swords - On April 6th 2008 a law came into effect banning samurai and other curved swords with a blade length of 50cm or more, there are some exceptions for registered martial artists, re-enactors and even certain genuine Japanese swords.

An amendment to this act was passed, which came into effect on the 1st of August 2008, which allows curved and samurai swords which are handmade using traditional forging/production methods to be sold without a license which you will see on the site and can buy and own without a license.

We also sell handmade swords which, in our expert opinion, meet the definition set out in the amendment, but, according to the home office, were not really intended to. As a responsible retailer we have restricted their sale to martial artists, to prevent online sales their price will show as £0.00 and you will not be able to purchase one without first supplying us with a copy of a valid club membership.

I also found this news article about the ban going into effect.
BBC NEWS | UK | Ban on samurai swords becomes law

Alf Hitchcock, of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said: "Throughout the consultation process the Association of Chief Police Officers has supported the government's position on the banning of samurai swords.

"As I have said on previous occasions, these are not the most common weapons for people to carry and use in violent crimes but nationally there have been some significant incidents, serious assaults and murders using a samurai sword.


"So we feel the introduction of a ban is much needed."

So it seems they decided to ban swords because they have had some significant incidents. Not many incidents, not an influx of new incidents, just "some".

I looked up the statistics for violent crimes in England and Wales.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/hosb0708.pdf
Knifes in violent crimes made up only 6% of all violent crimes for 2007/08. Of that percentage swords would most likely be a fraction of a percent. So they decided to "ban" them although they are not really banned as you are now only able to purchase the more expensive ones. You can smell the bureaucracy on this a mile away.

 

[Apex]

Apex, VERY cool collection by the way - my boys would love those.

Thanks. And those are only my longer blades. I have countless other pocket knifes and other folding blades both functional and decorative, but all very sharp.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

I find it strange they are trying to remove all the cheap crappy blades yet still allow everyone to purchase the high quality, extremely sharp and very functional, blades.

Some people have the strange idea that added cost will keep criminals and children away. I suppose it might keep them out of the hands of some kids but that's about it.

 

[Apex]

Some people have the strange idea that added cost will keep criminals and children away. I suppose it might keep them out of the hands of some kids but that's about it.

Yes, because no criminal could ever afford to spend $60...

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Yes, because no criminal could ever afford to spend $60...

And all the kids with rich parents who buy them what they want are so much more responsible than those pesky poor kids.

 

[Valjean]

You can run someone through with any sharp stick. A sword's only advantage is durability.

When I was eight years old, on scout meeting days, I'd wear my cub scout uniform to school -- including my official scout knife in plain sight. Nobody raised an eyebrow.

When my brother was not much older he'd walk a couple of miles through the center of town, carrying an uncased rifle, to the local YMCA for a marksmanship class. No-one ever raised an alarm, and the police never stopped or questioned him.
And he never shot anyone -- to the best of my knowledge.

A society afraid of its members is not healthy, in my opinion.

 

[Apex]

Would any of our members from the UK, other than Panda, like to comment on the ban?

 

[Zephyr]

Switzerland owns.
edit: there was an image here. it broke tables. fixing.

Edit2: 'ere we go. Switzerland owns.

 

[Apex]

I am moving to Switzerland!

 

[Father Heathen]

Giving guns to a 15 year old? I think that is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard.

I don't suppose it would be asking too much for you to explain why you think it's "dumb"? People have taught their children proper and responsible gun use for hundreds of years (like for hunting, for example). You need to overcome your petty knee jerk reactions, misconceptions and squeamishes.

Oh and Apex if those swords are replicas then the police would be knocking at your door with a set of handcuffs ready.

Why? Is society threatened by gangs of knights and ninjas?

 

[Father Heathen]

I'm glad I don't live in the US, you are all so in love with your guns.

I'm glad I don't live in The U.K. where you all quake and quiver at the sight of your own shadow. I mean really, so much panic and paranoia over nothing.

 

[Apex]

Would any of our members from the UK, other than Panda, like to comment on the ban?

Bump?

 

[Father Heathen]

Bump.

 

[Erebus]

By the time I was 15 I had 2 longswords, 5 daggers, 2 katanas, a battle-axe and a morning star... A machete is nothing.