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See other news storiesImitation Samurai swords banned
7 April 2008
A new law banning cheap, imitation Samurai swords came into effect this week.
The ban was first announced last December following a 12-week consultation, which received hundreds of responses.
A serious weapon
Based on input received from police, collectors, traders, victims' groups and martial arts enthusiasts, the decision was made to add the swords to the offensive weapons order.
It is now illegal to sell, make, hire or import imitation Samurai swords.
Now that swords have been added to the list, there are 18 weapons on that list, including knuckle-dusters and batons.
Those who violate the new law banning Samurai swords, could face six months in prison and a maximum fine of £5,000. Higher penalties apply for illegally importing the swords – up to seven years in prison and an unlimited fine.
However, the law will include exemptions for rare, genuine Japanese swords valued by collectors, and also for the kinds of swords often used in martial arts.
Swords used by historical re-enactment groups are also exempted.
Taking crime seriously
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said the government takes violent crime very seriously, and is determined to do all it can to protect people from dangerous weapons.
'Having undertaken a wide consultation, we recognise that it is the cheap and easily available Samurai swords that have been used in crime,' he said. 'That is why we have made sensible exemptions for genuine enthusiasts.
'This ban is part of our wider strategy to tackle serious violent crime. Later this year we will launch a new advertising campaign aimed at preventing young people carrying knives.'
Alf Hitchcock, of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), said police have supported the government's case against swords throughout the process.
'These are not the most common weapons for people to carry and use in violent crimes, but nationally there have been some significant incidents, serious assaults and murders using a Samurai sword. So we feel the introduction of a ban is much needed.'
Stopping knife crime
The sword ban is just the latest in a series of actions by the government in recent years to stop knife crime.
Previous moves include:
- doubling the maximum sentence for knife possession from two to four years
- creating a new offence of asking somebody to store or hide a weapon for you
- giving teachers new powers to search students for weapons
- raising the minimum age for knife ownership to 18
- working closely with police on fighting knife-related violence
