For the attention of martial artists and re-enactors:

[original_aj]

According to recent reports including this BBC article as part of the crackdown on knife crime the executive is considering banning the sale of swords in Scotland. Apparently Jack McConnell believes that "There can be no reason for people buying swords off the street for use or to have in their homes,". If you would like to bring a few of the various valid reasons for sword ownership to his attention I believe his email address is jack.mcconnell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk. Anyone got any other ideas for what we should do?

Comments

[felishumanus.livejournal.com]

off the street no good reason, from reputable reenacter sword manufacturers good reason

the destinction between the two must be made clear in any law

[original-aj.livejournal.com]

I doubt they actually meant from someone in the street. But the distinction between sharps and rebated is something I pointed out in my email to him. There is still a legitimate need for sharps too of course. The real problem if the tourist tat shops etc. - no-one paying for a real sword is particularly likely to use it for a crime. I also pointed out that if a violent idiot hasn't got a sword he'll likely just use an axe or a baseball bat. The crime will still happen. I fear that it'll pass on the basis that it makes them look good without alienating too many people, in the same way all handguns were banned rather than the existing rules properly enforced.

[felishumanus.livejournal.com]

by street i assumed they meant easily in a shop

i would email him but as i no longer have a say in this form of scottish politics i am not sure what i can do, other than question them to define things clearly

anyoen can go into a 99p shop and buy cheap kitchen knives...they will still do damage if used as a weapon

o think i shall think on it, and see what i can word clearly *nods*

[original-aj.livejournal.com]

Some shops stock proper swords - martial arts suppliers as well as re-enactment dealers. There's the antique trade too - they sell guns as well! I wouldn't mind if they did away with the tourist tat ones though.

You can presumeably still use your parent's address?

Yes, I made the point that there are many much cheaper alternatives to swords. Hopefully if enough people point out the flaws it'll get dropped.