Government Consultation - Banning Ninja Swords

[C_Claycomb]

This looks like government listened to all the criticism following the ban on “Samurai” swords with curved blades longer than xxcm. Everyone pointed out that the purveyors of horrible cheap gangsta swords would be selling the same junk with straight blades even before the original ban came in and it would make no difference. Now they are looking to plug that rather obvious loophole.

 

[TLM]

This is still just a call for input, on a law that won’t affect anyone outside the UK.

On the surface it does look like that but once you hear from a politician: "We are just following the trend in Europe on legislation on things like this" you realize that things are not that simple. Especially on restrictive legislation politicians are keen to find any examples.

 

[slowworm]

On the face of it I would say I can't see it encompassing any commonly used tools, but then some claimed the zombie knife ban wouldn't catch machetes but it did catch some.

My main gripe is it would seem like a waste of parliamentary time, by the time the ban ninja swords surely someone will be selling something very similar, perhaps with a curved end rather than a tanto style point?

 

[Falstaff]

Maybe we need to consider banning Ninjas...

They're a protected Characteristic, same as Jedi...

 

[SoldierPalmer]

Now this does look like it could affect me. I forge a lot of Japanese styled chef knives.

Something in the image below would fall under this. From my understanding.

 

[Broch]

Now this does look like it could affect me. I forge a lot of Japanese styled chef knives.

Something in the image below would fall under this. From my understanding.

View attachment 91397

What length is that blade SP?

 

[demented dale]

In the end they have to ban even bicycles (or change how tyres are made) because tyre spokes can be made into shanks. Meaning they can never ban enough objects to stop violence. If everything is banned there is still sticks and stones out in the nature.

years ago before they too were banned, I made blowpipe darts using bicycle wheel spokes. Worked a treat. x

 

[SoldierPalmer]

What length is that blade SP?

It can vary quite a bit. At the extreme end tuna cutting blades can be 3ft long but for example I’m in the process of a 12 inch blade for a customer as we speak.

 

[Broch]

OK, so if the blade is not between 14" and 24" it is my understanding that it will fall out of the proposed definition.

 

[Laurentius]

OK, so if the blade is not between 14" and 24" it is my understanding that it will fall out of the proposed definition.

Which of course shows the ridiculousness of trying to ban "weapons" by type, rather than regulating their sale and use. I saw recently that German knife manufacturers got round the ban on combat style knives by modifying the handles and rebranding them as kitchen knives. The problem is partly manufacturers and importers, who market inferior products to gangsta wannabe's. I do think this time round though the Government do have more idea of what they are doing and probably are aware of the contradictions, but it falls into the category of being seen to do something to placate the clueless idiots out there baying to ban anything with a point. The consultation site does admit some legitimate tuna knives will be lost as "collateral damage" but I think there are alternatives.

 

[C_Claycomb]

With the Samurai swords, there was a clause to allow for swords “made by traditional methods”. Seems like that could work to protect tuna cutters.

 

[Paul_B]

I used to train in Ju-Jitsu with one of the assistant Sensei's being a specialist in Iaido (the website at the time said it meant way of balance but apparently it means way of awareness or always aware.). This is basically a martial art based around an actual katana. It was not taught with sparring but with movement and technique. Although what they taught was a full on martial art in that a good practitioner would be able to fight a duel with a katana should they ever need to (apparently in Japan that is not unheard of).

Anyway, part of the practise is with a proper katana. Bearing in mind the practitioners are black belts in other japanese martial arts before they could learn it at that dojo it is used by people with respect for the traditions of which control is essential.

I only say this because there are many martial arts organizations who practise their art with bladed weapons when in the higher levels. My dojo the black belts needed self defence against attackers with knives and swords (katana). At a certain level they were the fully sharp versions not the wooden ones. One instructor said you never get to black belt without a cut or two!!

Are these laws likely to prevent such people owning and using these weapons? These are actual weapons no zombie style image pieces.

 

[Broch]

I think the call for consultation response is clear - they are asking if the defences (including for sporting activities) that apply to curved blades should be applied to Ninja swords. If Ninja swords are used legitimately for a martial art it may be a defence.

 

[TLM]

My understanding is that ninjas used the same swords as everybody else (samurai) so trying to forbid both is kind of superfluous. How close is your Labor party to Social Democrats? As a group SDs are not known to be especially bright but very eager to forbid something.

 

[GreyCat]

I used to train in Ju-Jitsu with one of the assistant Sensei's being a specialist in Iaido (the website at the time said it meant way of balance but apparently it means way of awareness or always aware.). This is basically a martial art based around an actual katana. It was not taught with sparring but with movement and technique. Although what they taught was a full on martial art in that a good practitioner would be able to fight a duel with a katana should they ever need to (apparently in Japan that is not unheard of).

Anyway, part of the practise is with a proper katana. Bearing in mind the practitioners are black belts in other japanese martial arts before they could learn it at that dojo it is used by people with respect for the traditions of which control is essential.

I only say this because there are many martial arts organizations who practise their art with bladed weapons when in the higher levels. My dojo the black belts needed self defence against attackers with knives and swords (katana). At a certain level they were the fully sharp versions not the wooden ones. One instructor said you never get to black belt without a cut or two!!

Are these laws likely to prevent such people owning and using these weapons? These are actual weapons no zombie style image pieces.

No, they are not seeking to stop genuine martial artists, There is still the ability for such persons to obtain iaitos, either the soft blunt practice version or the sharp steel version. The UK specialist supplier for Kendo and Iaido kit is still selling "professional quality alloy and steel Iaito for Iaido and Koryu sword practices" (subject to controls of course).

GC