Ebay UK ban sale of "samarai swords"

[kronckew]

para 5a only applies if you meet the burden of proof requirement which includes having the required public liability insurance and meeting the documentation requirements to prove you are a member of one of the approved exemption groups. ie you must be a paid up and participating card carrying martial artist or reenactor or actor participating in a govt. approved and insured display or play as part of a govt. approved organization.

these arguments may eventually get you out of your cell, but when the cop pinches your shoulder and says "oi - mate whats that in yer bag?", it's going in their nice damp lockup to rust away while you go in their nice damp lockup to rust away until maybe you get your lawyer to spring you (and with a lot of luck, your sword). start spouting the law to the police and they'll just say 'save it for the judge, we don't make the law, we just enforce it'. hope y'all can afford the expense to prove you meet the exception rules. the lawyers (inc. those politicians who are mostly lawyers), will be laughing all the way to the bank.

do you want to be the one setting any future precedents?

[Tim Simmons]

Good morning.

Only being bit of a dabbler when it comes to collecting I do not know much about dealing. I would have thought that the organisers and owners of hired venues which hold militaria and antique events, will have the paperwork in place to satisfy all this.

“historical re-enactment” means any presentation or other event held for the purpose of re-enacting an event from the past or of illustrating conduct from a particular time or period in the past;
“insurance” means a contract of insurance or other arrangement made for the purpose of indemnifying a person or persons named in the contract or under the arrangement;
“permitted activity” means an historical re-enactment or a sporting activity;
“sporting activity” means the practising of a sport which requires the use of a weapon described in paragraph 1(r);
“third parties” includes participants in, and spectators of, a permitted activity and members of the public.

[spiral]

Well the offensive & banned weapons law has been around a long time.

Post 1908 swords with curved blades of 50cm or more will be illegal as flicknives, butterfly knives, knuckle knives etc. {straight blades Oct. 2008.}

They will be listed in that same law section.

As Krockew says Trying to tell policmen , "its ok i collect them" is not realy going to work at the time.

One doesnt notice generaly notice massive trade in them even as antiques in the UK or see them shown at many fairs etc.

Sadley with Ethnographic pieces its hard to prove whether they are pre. or post 1908, & with this law the burden of proof of defense is with the sword owner.

Spiral

[katana]

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 .

[Yannis]

As Eftihis said before a ban in UK will affect other countries too.

I wish you can find a solution. Maybe you can try a club of collectors or other collective action.

I wonder what will happen to all these fine auction houses who have plan auctions in the near future in UK. What will happen to the famous Arms Fair?

Anyway to those who concern I have a solution in Swap Forum. Just think on it.

===Editing====

I think I misunderstood the law. It affects only 1908 and later swords? Who will confirm the age? It is probably the same trap we are here in Greece!

[BBJW]

It is hard to believe this law is actually real. Thank God in the United States we have the Second Amendment... "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed". I've told people about this new law in the U.K. and they think I'm joking.

Sympathies
bbjw

[Rick]

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Emma Lazarus, 1883

No flames please .