«-- Letter Re: A Special Antibiotics-By-Mail Offer for SurvivalBlog Readers | Main | Letter Re: Learn How to "Roll Your Own" Ammo --»

Letter Re: Sword Ban Begins on April 6th in the United Kingdom

James:
In the past you have recommended that SurvivalBlog readers in the UK to get a samurai sword. Well, they are banning them now.


As of the 6th April 2008 it will become illegal to manufacture, import or sell (but not own) all swords with a curved, single edged blade over 50 cm in the U.K.

Although they can still supply such weapons for "permitted activities". These activities include; Historical re-enactments and Sporting Activities.

The legislation does not mention samurai swords. It only mentions single-edged curved swords with a blade length of 50cm or over. As per the document, it appears that all swords with those characteristics will be banned. Including Chinese Dao, American & European Sabres, Filipino Swords etc.

They have not had a vote with the members of parliament on this. They are just banning them [by decree].

If you want one before that, I would say the best makers seem to be Cold Steel (but they cost a lot more and I don't think you will find one in time), or Hanwai / Paul Chan. (For he latter, contact the UK dealer--you may be just in time.) It looks like I got my samurai [sword] just in time.

You can always get a non-curved blade like a Shinodi (Ninja sword), a broad sword or a Side sword (I want the Hanwei one) these last two are also double-edge. Cold Steel makes a [straight] double-edge samurai sword so that for now will be okay for now but I bet soon they will ban anything double-edge or with a blade over 50cm. - Simon in England

JWR Replies: The UK government is clearly doing its best to put its citizenry at the mercy of criminals. Soon enough, your ever-tightening Country Code will have your self defense options reduced to just butter knives, ASBOs, cricket bats, and harsh language. It is now abundantly clear that violent crime is already at unacceptable levels in urban areas of the UK. In the event of an economic collapse, things could resemble the recently-released Doomsday movie. Under those circumstances the majority will fall prey to a minority that is younger, stronger, and uninhibited by moral compunctions.

I must reassert that it is clearly time to take the gap. The US and New Zealand still have immigration programs that are advantageous. Get out of England soon, while these programs are still available.

Permalink