All,
Finally a snippet of news on the proposed legislation. Yesterday, Sunday, a television show called 'The Politics Show' did a feature on the proposed ban. This was only broadcast in the West Midlands area so many of you may not have seen it. It was fairly brief and the reporter was at least sympathetic - making the point several times that it was rather 'knee jerk' and about as enforcable as the 'Dangerous dogs' legislation that was brought out. Various politicians appeared making sound bites about 'the public are demanding this legislation' and 'the police are demanding it' and so on but at least they did conceed that collectors and martial art practioners would be exempt. Clive Sinclair was shown briefly with some of his collection to put our case - many thanks to him for that. We were ensured that the police would be able to distinquish real from replica but the slightly disturbing aspect was that the idea of certification was mentioned. This idea had been ruled out in talks with Home Office officials. So we are no further forward in reality but things do seem to be going in our direction.

Ian Bottomley

All,
the long awaited amendment to the offensive weapons act was put before both houses of Parliament yesterday. The final document is much diluted and still, I think , unworkable. In summary the act does not now use the term "Samurai sword" it effectively bans any curved single edged weapon with a blade length greater than 50CM. Defences against potential prosecution include:
1. The sword was made in Japan prior to 1954
2 the sword was made in Japan at any other time using traditional methods.
3. Justified usage of the blade for re-enactment or sporting activity.
With regard to other non Japanese swords, cavalry sabres etc The vast majority of these are covered by the existing exemptions which include any antique weapon over one hundred years old.
As has often been said before this is an almost unworkable document which has been drawn up to respond to headlines in Newspapers rather than eliminate violent crime. All parties involved are aware of this but once the government had decided to do it all that could be done was to try and mininse the damage. I think all involved have achieved this. Very many individuals and groups worked hard to prtect our interests over a long period of time. I think they all did an exceptinal job and at least for the moment have ensured we can continue to collect and participate in martial arts within England Wales and Northern Ireland (Scotland have introduced their own legislation)
Thanks to all involved.

Paul,

I am glad everything turn out well for GB Nihonto owners

On another hand, my hope I could get at ridiculous prices very valuable swords from England has just vanished

Hi Paul,
Thank you for the information. I wonder if you could direct us to an official web site or press release? I tried the Homeoffice web site but couldn't find anything new also tried google but still nothing new.

Cheers
Jez

There is a scan of the document here:

http://www.to-ken.com/membersarea/Clivesreport.htm

I haven't been able to find any official info that says antiques are exempt from this - do you have a link or a document name?
Cheers

There is nothing in the added revision that refers to antiques. Please remember this is an addition to existing legislation, the offensive weapons act of 1988. This act specifies that antiques over 100 years old are exempt from the act.
I double checked this with the Home Office who confirmed that antique non-Japanese blades were covered by this existing exemption.
regards
paul

Well that's a bit of positive news at least - thanks for the update Paul

Hi all,
I'm sure you know this http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/draft/ukdsi_9780110810324_en_1 is the governments official release of the "The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons)(Amendment) Order 2008". Nothing new here, just the same as the photocopied link given by pcfarrar above.

Paragraph 4 gives a defence for organisations holding relevant insurance.


O.K. I've been training with weapons insurance for the past ten years or so. This will cover most weapons of wood or metal construction BUT this does not cover "live blades".

Can anyone tell me where I can get the relevant club insurance required?

Jez

The saddest part of this whole sorry affair is that the legislation is not intended to stop the violence.
It is a cynical action by the legislators to "appear" as though they care and are doing something, without actually doing anything. The same happened here in Australia with our gun buyback.
It was well known at the time of the handgun ban that this would not have any impact on the use of guns in violent robberies and attacks. Nevertheless since the british govt knows , after being elected multitudinous times, the "great unwashed masses" have s#$t for brains and are easily duped.

Has anyone in the UK tested the water yet by importing a sword?

I just had a wakizashi listed on ebay removed and the only reason I can think of is I ticked the " will post to England box "
Could that be right ?

Simon

Probably not, as ebay said the ban on sales was only for items listed in the UK. If ebay wanted to stop bidders in the UK buying swords they would just blanket block the sword categories like they do with WW2 stuff in France.

My first purchase post ban has just hit customs, should be interesting to see what happens.

My first sword from the US post ban has cleared customs without any trouble.

It was described as an "antique sword over 150 years old" and using the harmonized tariff code on Darcy's import/export post.

So looks like buying swords from overseas won't be a problem still for UK collectors.

i have had two swords detained by uk customs both properly described shinto katana and shinto wakizashi under 50 cm and both over 300 years old .i only found out as they were late arriving from the us so i rang customs and was told an "expert " will phone me. they have had the waki since the 28th of april and the katana since the 2nd of may it will be interesting to hear what there expert says