Petition opposing the banning of swords.

[original_aj]

If you oppose the Scottish Executive's proposed ban on swords as part of it's crackdown on knife crime (which I mentioned here) there is now an online petition you can sign here.

It emerges from the correspondance I've had with the First Minister's office that they have no idea how often, or indeed if, swords figure in viloent crime since all that is recorded is "sharp object" which also means they can't say if there's any benefit to restricting "non-domestic" knives since it is quite possible (and from my memory true) that the majority of sharp objects used are actually kitchen knives.

Comments

A suggestion...

[fenland.livejournal.com]

Perhaps we should invite the First Minister to come and watch us practise in the Meadows and at the Uni... and then he can see how carefully we operate...?

[manticore7.livejournal.com]

Erm, when they say that it records these acts perpetrated by 'Shart Objects', is it relevant that our re-enactment weapons are, very specifically, Not-sharp? (Know this doesn't extend to collectors of knives and swords, but that's surely a different arguement)

[spacelem.livejournal.com]

I signed it. People use swords dangerously so rarely that it makes headline news when it occurs. And will banning the use of knives really stop kids from carrying them? If they were going to use it on someone anyway, I doubt they'd worry about taking one with them. What about all the techies who need their leathermans for work?

Oh, and are children going to grow up now cutting their steaks with spoons? Wait till they reach 18 (an age of obvious maturity), and watch how many really do hurt themselves with a now dangerous object that they have been kept safe from until then.

The whole idea is utterly ridiculous.

[spudtater.livejournal.com]

I'm number 75. *snarf*!

[felishumanus.livejournal.com]

signed and posted to own journal.

[calum]

Various people in the Scottish Parliament have said on previous occasions that they pay absolutely zero attention to online petitions. If you want to make some impact, you might have to get actual signatures on paper.

But I also think one of the best ways to make an impact is the "Adopt-an-MP" scheme, whereby you get a number of well-spoken, sensible people to each go to their own MSP, and offer to show them how swords are used responsibly, and basically... educate them.

Even one MSP on your side can have more impact than a huge petition - because the MSP has direct access to the people formulating the policy.

I'll still sign your petition, though.

[randomchris.livejournal.com]

"Hello, Mr McConnell. I'd like to give you a demonstration of how to use this sword responsibly... hey, why are all these guns being pointed at me?"

I know you're being serious, sorry.

Re: A suggestion...

[fenland.livejournal.com]

Or following on from Callum suggestion (see below) invite the local MSP to come a Sunday or Friday Night session and show him/her what it is we do...