Weapons Legislation Sanity---NSW Australia

A. G. Maisey · 7th August 2008, 05:08 AM

Some time ago the NSW Government, in pursuance of the requirements of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 and attendant Regulations, commenced a review of this legislation.
I am aware that many of the people who will read this present post were concerned at the possibility that as a result of this Review, and following certain specific requests of the then Minister for Police, swords would become Prohibited Weapons in the state of NSW. Many of these concerned persons wrote to the Minister for Police and put forth their opposition to the scheduling of swords as Prohibited Weapons, many provided rational argument as to why swords could not, and should not, be so scheduled. I am certain that in the near future those people who wrote to the Minister for Police will receive copies of the report of the Review that I have today received.

In the section of the Review that specifically addresses swords, the closing paragaraph reads:-

"---
The Review considered that although the requirement for public safety is paramount,data showing the use of swords in the commission of crimes does not warrant a heavy handed regulatory approach.Furthermore, due to the prevalence of legitimately used or possessed swords in the community, a regulatory system would prove onerous for both the community and the NSW Police, and could present significant definitional difficulties. The review recommends, therefore,that swords not be included in the Schedule of Prohibited Weapons at this time."

It should be noted that the arguments used against prohibition in the Review are precisely the arguments which were supplied in many of the correctly written and logically presented objections which were lodged prior to the Review being undertaken.

It should also be noted that this Review recommends the actions to be undertaken by the Minister, it is assumed that a determined Minister can always reject such recommendations for reasons of his own.

However, as at this moment, in the state of NSW, Australia, logic and reason have come to the surface and the Review of the Weapons Prohibition Act has resulted in a suite of recommendations that address some of the material risks in our society, and leave untouched the immaterial risk of possession of a sword.

I think that this demonstrates that if a sufficient number of people present a strong argument against certain action being taken by legislators, and if the facts support that argument, the entrenched system will deliver a favourable result.

I imagine that eventually the Report of the Review will appear online, but at the moment I cannot find it there, if and when it does appear I will post a link to it here.

7th August 2008, 05:08 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	Weapons Legislation Sanity---NSW Australia Some time ago the NSW Government, in pursuance of the requirements of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 and attendant Regulations, commenced a review of this legislation. I am aware that many of the people who will read this present post were concerned at the possibility that as a result of this Review, and following certain specific requests of the then Minister for Police, swords would become Prohibited Weapons in the state of NSW. Many of these concerned persons wrote to the Minister for Police and put forth their opposition to the scheduling of swords as Prohibited Weapons, many provided rational argument as to why swords could not, and should not, be so scheduled. I am certain that in the near future those people who wrote to the Minister for Police will receive copies of the report of the Review that I have today received. In the section of the Review that specifically addresses swords, the closing paragaraph reads:- "--- The Review considered that although the requirement for public safety is paramount,data showing the use of swords in the commission of crimes does not warrant a heavy handed regulatory approach.Furthermore, due to the prevalence of legitimately used or possessed swords in the community, a regulatory system would prove onerous for both the community and the NSW Police, and could present significant definitional difficulties. The review recommends, therefore,that swords not be included in the Schedule of Prohibited Weapons at this time." It should be noted that the arguments used against prohibition in the Review are precisely the arguments which were supplied in many of the correctly written and logically presented objections which were lodged prior to the Review being undertaken. It should also be noted that this Review recommends the actions to be undertaken by the Minister, it is assumed that a determined Minister can always reject such recommendations for reasons of his own. However, as at this moment, in the state of NSW, Australia, logic and reason have come to the surface and the Review of the Weapons Prohibition Act has resulted in a suite of recommendations that address some of the material risks in our society, and leave untouched the immaterial risk of possession of a sword. I think that this demonstrates that if a sufficient number of people present a strong argument against certain action being taken by legislators, and if the facts support that argument, the entrenched system will deliver a favourable result. I imagine that eventually the Report of the Review will appear online, but at the moment I cannot find it there, if and when it does appear I will post a link to it here.