U.K. Sword Ban

[Gyakuto]

The police have just been around to my house. Border Force asked them to deliver a letter to me stating that the importation of bladed weapons to the U.K. is illegal and I mustn’t do this in future. I explained the whole situation to her over a cup of tea and she was very sympathetic saying there was clearly more to this seizure than met the eye. She was very understanding and even sweet and must’ve been all of 13 years old! They let her drive a big police car!

 

[Gyakuto]

I’m awaiting the decision of a reviewing officer of my case. Border Force’s own rules say:

Swords with a curved blade of 50cm or more may be imported where the weapon:

• was made before 1954
• was made by traditional methods of making swords by hand
• is only available for the purposes of use in religious ceremonies or for martial arts
• is for use in a historical re-enactments or sporting activity for example a martial arts demonstration for which public liability insurance is held

I’ve highlighted the two that apply to my case. I’ve already supplied a letter from the sword dealer (Tozando) saying the swot]rd is traditionally made by hand and my British Kendo Association public liability insurance and grade details to show I actively train in Iaido.

I’ve supplied two additional pieces of evidence for this review - 1) a letter from the swordsmith’s son and apprentice saying his deceased father made the sword with traditional methods and by hand including two photos of them, dressed in Shinto priest garb whilst forging it. 2) a letter from a noted British antique Japanese sword dealer, giving the entire career of the swordsmith including prizes and awards he won in life and an statement saying that this sword is registered in Japan as an authentic Japanese sword and indeed, only traditionally made and by hand swords are allowed to be exported from Japan. I suggested the famous dealer would be happy to speak to them about this. after over the phone. I added, in my covering letter, that confirmation of it’s authenticity could be obtained by calling the Japanese consulate in London.

I cannot imagine what other evidence I could possibly give them that confirms it’s fulfilment of their criteria. Would you accept this evidence?

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I’m awaiting the decision of a reviewing officer of my case. Border Force’s own rules say:

Swords with a curved blade of 50cm or more may be imported where the weapon:

• was made before 1954
• was made by traditional methods of making swords by hand
• is only available for the purposes of use in religious ceremonies or for martial arts
• is for use in a historical re-enactments or sporting activity for example a martial arts demonstration for which public liability insurance is held

I’ve highlighted the two that apply to my case. I’ve already supplied a letter from the sword dealer (Tozando) saying the swot]rd is traditionally made by hand and my British Kendo Association public liability insurance and grade details to show I actively train in Iaido.

I’ve supplied two additional pieces of evidence for this review - 1) a letter from the swordsmith’s son and apprentice saying his deceased father made the sword with traditional methods and by hand including two photos of them, dressed in Shinto priest garb whilst forging it. 2) a letter from a noted British antique Japanese sword dealer, giving the entire career of the swordsmith including prizes and awards he won in life and an statement saying that this sword is registered in Japan as an authentic Japanese sword and indeed, only traditionally made and by hand swords are allowed to be exported from Japan. I suggested the famous dealer would be happy to speak to them about this. after over the phone. I added, in my covering letter, that confirmation of it’s authenticity could be obtained by calling the Japanese consulate in London.

I cannot imagine what other evidence I could possibly give them that confirms it’s fulfilment of their criteria. Would you accept this evidence?

Yes, you are already being inappropriately targeted. Is there someone in authority with independent thought you can appeal to? Or are your forms and evidence just being sorted by some clerk? I think it’s a ridiculous thing considering all the efforts you have expended thus far. Their budget for antique sword investigation is apparently quite large. Stupendous.

 

[Gyakuto]

I do wonder if they sent the police officer to my house simply to intimidate me. They could’ve posted the letter, after all.

If this appeal doesn’t work I think I can take it to civil court which I’ve now decided I will do despite the threat of £2,500 legal fees should I lose, because I feel the behaviour of BF is unjust. Using the ‘C.R.A.C’ method of argument I can’t see how three magistrates won’t allow me to have the sword:

1) Conclusion- The sword should not have been seized by BF and should be released to as soon as possible because it fulfils three of their four criteria for import.

2) Rule -BF’s own exceptions from prohibition to import a curved blade greater than 55cm long are

• was made before 1954
• was made by traditional methods of making swords by hand
• is only available for the purposes of use in religious ceremonies or for martial arts
• is for use in a historical re-enactments or sporting activity for example a martial arts demonstration for which public liability insurance is held

3) Analysis - This sword was hand made and by traditional methods as evidenced by…the sword dealer from whom I bought it, a statement from the son/apprentice of the (deceased) swordsmith who made the sword (with photos), a letter from a respected British antique sword dealer who gives the pedigree of the swordsmith who only made traditional swords by hand. I will use this sword for training in martial arts and I have supplied evidence of my membership of the BKA complete with evidence of third party liability insurance.

4) This sword should not have been seized by BF since it clearly fulfils three of the criteria it sets out as an exception from prohibition to import into the U.K. and it should be returned to me immediately.

Doesn’t that all sound reasonable and watertight?

 

[Gyakuto]

I do wonder if they sent the police officer to my house simply to intimidate me. They could’ve posted the letter, after all.

If this appeal doesn’t work I think I can take it to civil court which I’ve now decided I will do despite the threat of £2,500 legal fees should I lose, because I feel the behaviour of BF is unjust. Using the ‘C.R.A.C’ method of argument I can’t see how three magistrates won’t allow me to have the sword:

1) Conclusion- The sword should not have been seized by BF and should be released to as soon as possible because it fulfils three of their four criteria for import.

2) Rule -BF’s own exceptions from prohibition to import a curved blade greater than 55cm long are

• was made before 1954
• was made by traditional methods of making swords by hand
• is only available for the purposes of use in religious ceremonies or for martial arts
• is for use in a historical re-enactments or sporting activity for example a martial arts demonstration for which public liability insurance is held

3) Analysis - This sword was hand made and by traditional methods as evidenced by…the sword dealer from whom I bought it, a statement from the son/apprentice of the (deceased) swordsmith who made the sword (with photos), a letter from a respected British antique sword dealer who gives the pedigree of the swordsmith who only made traditional swords by hand. I will use this sword for training in martial arts and I have supplied evidence of my membership of the BKA complete with evidence of third party liability insurance.

4) This sword should not have been seized by BF since it clearly fulfils three of the criteria it sets out as an exception from prohibition to import into the U.K. and it should be returned to me immediately.

Doesn’t that all sound reasonable and watertight?

I have just received an email from BF’s reviewing officer. They are letting me have the sword

I can’t feel my legs!

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I have just received an email from BF’s reviewing officer. They are letting me have the sword

I can’t feel my legs!

Yay! Congratulations! Post pics of it when you receive it.

 

[Gyakuto]

Yay! Congratulations! Post pics of it when you receive it.

I’m never going to be sarcastic, insulting, drink again, or eat too much cheese…ever again

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I’m never going to be sarcastic, insulting, drink again, or eat too much cheese…ever again

What about mars bars and masturbation?

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I’m never going to be sarcastic, insulting, drink again, or eat too much cheese…ever again

You will never get to be a real boy if you keep telling lies.

 

[Gyakuto]

What about mars bars and masturbation?

What do you f**kin’ know of Mars Bars…I know you have expert experience in mastu….oh dammit!

 

[Gyakuto]

You will never get to be a real boy if you keep telling lies.

I made a ‘vow to the universe’ that if I got my sword, I’d recommence training with my teacher. I felt is was a suitably unpleasant prospect that the pixies and elves would grant my wish to watch me suffer I have to honour that now…

 

[Dirty Dog]

Was this ban enacted after you ordered your sword?

 

[Gyakuto]

You will never get to be a real boy if you keep telling lies.

 

[Gyakuto]

Was this ban enacted after you ordered your sword?

No it’s been in place for quite some time, but it fulfilled a few of the exemptions and I’ve only heard of one person having their (blunt) sword seized because of CITES concerns about the ray skin in the handle. To circumvent this issue, I ensured the Japanese dealer added a letter that the skin was from the common ray not anything endangered. I didn’t anticipate any other issues.

I’ve told the dealers that if they have any future customers from the U.K., I’d be happy to advise them. I’ll write it all out and publish it somewhere…

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

Like Tengu.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

What do you f**kin’ know of Mars Bars…I know you have expert experience in mastu….oh dammit!

 

[Argus]

I found a victorinox in a phone booth when I was 5-6 years old, cut myself on the saw immediately.

I think I was given a Victorinox at like age 6. I remember sawing off branches and thinking how easily I could cut myself, but never actually cutting myself. Have used bladed tools ever since which rarely tasted blood until I took up woodworking and started using a chisel. Now THAT is a dangerous tool.

Probably the worst cut I ever got was from a dull knife that was so dull it wouldn't bite into the onion I was chopping and slipped onto my thumb, though -- which I had almost, but not completely tucked in like you're supposed to. Meh. A dull knife is a dangerous knife.

We increasingly live in total police / nanny states. Life for our children isn't going to be nearly as fun, interesting, or safe. I think at some point you're just encouraging mental illness and an inability to learn any kind of responsibility when you take away any and everything that could be manly or dangerous. That's how you get so many wackos committing random acts of violence. Nobody who grew up carrying a pocket knife or shooting a gun as a kid goes wacko. It's always the sheltered, mentally ill kid that was never exposed to any of that stuff.

 

[Gyakuto]

We increasingly live in total police / nanny states.

I think this is happening for a reason. ‘Adults’ behave like adults, think of others as much as themselves and try to behave altruistically. When, what are essentially social norms, have to be legislated for because people refuse to adhere to those norms for whatever reason, then it suggests grown ups are behaving like adults.

Life for our children isn't going to be nearly as fun, interesting, or safe.

Fun and interesting, perhaps, but less safe? All the injuries I had as a child, burns, cuts, contusions and concussion were due to free access to butane, pen knives, free access to building site hazards and fearlessness!

I think at some point you're just encouraging mental illness and an inability to learn any kind of responsibility when you take away any and everything that could be manly or dangerous.

Oh that’s quite a stretch! I think we should allow children to have access to high explosives, knives and guns so stupid ones remove themselves for the gene pool. BUT they also harm those who’s genetic material deserve to remain within the pool, so that’s a problem…

That's how you get so many wackos committing random acts of violence.

We have wackos over here, but since there is no access to military grade weapons for these people, the random acts of violence we suffer in the U.K. are much attenuated. I think this is the thinking about the prohibition of firearms and large-bladed weapons. It’s lowest common denominator legislation which unfortunately cuts sensible people out of having safe fun. I was victim of this when I tried to buy a Japanese sword. Luckily there were exemptions to the laws which I was able to prove my purchase fulfilled.

Nobody who grew up carrying a pocket knife or shooting a gun as a kid goes wacko.

That’s pure speculation with no basis in fact. Can anyone just pick up a firearm for the first time and shoot it at people ‘effectively’?

It's always the sheltered, mentally ill kid that was never exposed to any of that stuff.

Perhaps we should preemptively lock up the quiet, weird kids before they pick up a gun and initiate a high school massacre.

 

[Steve]

I think I was given a Victorinox at like age 6. I remember sawing off branches and thinking how easily I could cut myself, but never actually cutting myself. Have used bladed tools ever since which rarely tasted blood until I took up woodworking and started using a chisel. Now THAT is a dangerous tool.

Probably the worst cut I ever got was from a dull knife that was so dull it wouldn't bite into the onion I was chopping and slipped onto my thumb, though -- which I had almost, but not completely tucked in like you're supposed to. Meh. A dull knife is a dangerous knife.

We increasingly live in total police / nanny states. Life for our children isn't going to be nearly as fun, interesting, or safe. I think at some point you're just encouraging mental illness and an inability to learn any kind of responsibility when you take away any and everything that could be manly or dangerous. That's how you get so many wackos committing random acts of violence. Nobody who grew up carrying a pocket knife or shooting a gun as a kid goes wacko. It's always the sheltered, mentally ill kid that was never exposed to any of that stuff.

I was with you until you went off the rails in that last paragraph.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

I think I was given a Victorinox at like age 6. I remember sawing off branches and thinking how easily I could cut myself, but never actually cutting myself. Have used bladed tools ever since which rarely tasted blood until I took up woodworking and started using a chisel. Now THAT is a dangerous tool.

Probably the worst cut I ever got was from a dull knife that was so dull it wouldn't bite into the onion I was chopping and slipped onto my thumb, though -- which I had almost, but not completely tucked in like you're supposed to. Meh. A dull knife is a dangerous knife.

We increasingly live in total police / nanny states. Life for our children isn't going to be nearly as fun, interesting, or safe. I think at some point you're just encouraging mental illness and an inability to learn any kind of responsibility when you take away any and everything that could be manly or dangerous. That's how you get so many wackos committing random acts of violence. Nobody who grew up carrying a pocket knife or shooting a gun as a kid goes wacko. It's always the sheltered, mentally ill kid that was never exposed to any of that stuff.

I think that your last 3 sentences might be off the mark. But I’m not into arguing over who mass shooters are or were or why they did it. We have over 300 million people in this country, there will be a certain number of wacko people, regardless of circumstances, that’s just math.