I think generally, we are all agreed that this 'new' law seems to be 'politically' motivated.....to show the population that measures are being taken for their 'safety'. The law amendment seems very vague and ill conceived, there seems to be little input from independent experts or associations etc. that collect or use swords in their pastime or sport.
The strange thing for me ..is the increase in 'gun' related crime which is not being addressed with such 'force'
I personally feel, that this situation has been greatly 'aided' by the import of the cheap 'Samurai' swords from China. These 'flooded' the market and were readily 'available' on eBay.... with claims that the blades were 'surgical steel' ..'functional' ..'battle ready' ...etc
With the popularity of 'martial art' films recently, showing 'katana's in action' impressionable teenagers were buying these in great numbers.
Unfortunately 'impressionable' politicians seemed to have believed the 'hype' ......these cheap 'knock-offs' are 'sword' like ...in reality they are cheap and useless... the blades often snap off the poorly welded tang and 'fly off' potentially hitting anyone in the general vicinity.....so you could argue that they are dangerous
Unfortunately, the concerns of knife crime, cheap Chinese wall hangers, eBay and the recent film hype of the 'Japanese' sword have all combined in recent times........ I feel we are victims of circumstance
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