A QUOTE FROM THE SUN NEWSPAPER, 11/12/2207

All Samurai Swords are set to be outlawed tomorrow in a crackdown on lethal weapons

BAN THE BLADE

SAMURAI swords were designed for one purpose — to kill with shocking efficiency.

In the wrong hands, they are as dangerous as any gun.

There is no place for such fearsome blades on our streets.

Yet they are now the weapon of choice for gangsters and psychopaths.

Ministers are right to ban the sale of all imitation weapons.

Legitimate collectors can keep historic originals by licensed Japanese swordsmiths — under lock and key.

But we must stop more innocent victims being hacked to death by drug-crazed or demented thugs with such weapons.

Email your views to g.pascoewatson@the-sun.co.uk

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Proof that the UK Martial Arts community, especially the weaponry enthusiast, is going to be hard-hit AGAIN by the introduction of new laws banning the possession of any bladed weapon or replica-type blade.

A Police source said (to The Sun) "The Government is going to act firmly and decisively. Samurai swords are increasingly being used on the streets as some sort of macho weapon. It is right hey are taken out of circulation once and for all."

Any breach of the law will lead to a min 6 month jail term and a 5 thousand pounds fine.

I know of no weaponry or Martial Art specialist that has been consulted during this process. No middle ground. No monitoring system in place. Just an outright ban.

If this attitude spreads in the UK I can't see a good future for the Martial Arts Import businesses here, and being an enthusiast myself I'm disgusted in my government again for reacting in a similar way to the eighties 'nunchaku ban' in Bruce Lee's movies. Soon, legislation like this may even spread to training weapons, wushu swords and who knows what else??!!

Does anyone out there have an opinion on this madness??