Samurai Sword Ban in The UK
December 14th, 2007 | by admin |This thing is ‘hitting the samurai sword collectors and practitioners for a long time now and it looks like the UK government is really going to execute that plan. Starting april 2008 there will be a ban on the import, sale and hire of samurai swords and once the law is in place, those who violate it could face six months in prison and a £5,000 fine.
We all know politicians are kind of weird with a strange look on things so they came up with a ban that will only affect single-edged, curved blades. So whenever you buy a straight bladed sword (a ninjato for example) or double-edged katana, there’s no problem at all ! It also looks like the ban is only for the cheap look-a-like samurai swords you can buy on ebay for €30. I’m wondering where the line will be drawn and what will be considered as a piece of junk and what not…
This ban is based on input from the police, wholesale/retailers victims’ groups and martial arts practitioners and from april 2008 on, the single edged curved samurai swords will be added to the list of offensive weapons.
Don’t worry if you’re an martial arts because these groups will be exempted from the ban. Just don’t ask me how they will figure that out 
5 Responses to “Samurai Sword Ban in The UK”
By Bunny boy on Apr 17, 2008 | Reply
The ban has actually gone through with no consultation what so ever. When this stupid law came out i was working in a sword shop that sells high quality blades as well as the lower end stuff we werent even told about it my boss had to phone the home office. Also the excemption for martial artists is fine (being one myself) but suppliers cant get them in the country so it doesnt matter if you can buy them the fact is you cant!
By admin on Apr 18, 2008 | Reply
It’s indeed a very weird (silly) law and i still see some UK shops offering them so perhaps there’s still a small hole in the system ?
There’s also the rumor that by end of the year, they will try to ban more type of swords..anything you know about that ?
Dave
By sensei steve leggett on Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
Why should the people of the u.k be punished for this ban?this has effected the people who are master historian’s who love the sword and the time peroid of japan,why these dead heads have chosen to attack people with this sword out in the street and in public places is a mystery a gun is more simple a katana sword takes a life time of skill to master.
By Andy Brown on Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
Many people have been battered to death with bricks, bits of wood or metal pipes. Are the government going to ban these - I think not!
Any kind of ban only affects the law abinding people of that group. If a thug want’s to slice somebody’s head off it won’t matter to them wether it’s a katana, machette or a kitchen knife.
Exactly the same thing happened with the change in shotgun regulations. The law abiding people paid to have special cabinets fitted and seperate ones for ammo.
Have we seen a reduction in shotgun crime - NO! The criminals will always get what they want/need because they don’t give a damn about the law.
Basically, small specialist groups are easy targets for the politicians as they don’t have the clout to fight back. The politicians can then claim that they’re doing something about the crime rate.
It’s all a con!
Anyway, that’s my rant for today…..
Andy
By admin on Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
How many ‘accidents’ are happening with kitchen knives or screw drivers…defenitley more than with a katana..it’s a sad thing and i believe we didn’t saw the end of this story yet..
Dave