Tim Larkin Banned From Entering UK

**Fuzzy** · Posted On: 5/10/2012 10:22am

Originally Posted by scipio

You are OK with practising with swords/sticks etc but if you take them out on the street then it is another matter. There is also a huge ambiguity with what if you are taking your katana to your dojo to practice....

Yeah I actually really need to get a stick bag, I've been sort-of nonchalantly walking around with my Eskrima sticks for a week now and its always a little worrying.

"Its ok Officer, I'm building some really small rattan furniture"

Edit: Not carrying them around for self-defense or anything retarded like that, just to and from the gym.

**judoka_uk** · Posted On: 5/10/2012 11:05am

You can own a samurai sword as long as its a genuine collectors item. If its less than 100 years old its illegal to either import, sell or own one. Its worth pointing out that any Japanese sword produced after 1912 was probably not owned by a 'Samurai' in the sense we imagine a 'Samurai sword' to mean.

The law was aimed at takeing those cheap modern ones off the market.

If you want to pick yourself up a genuine Samurai sword you still can. And I'm 100% if you really wanted to pick up one of the cheap mass produced modern ones you still can.

**PointyShinyBurn** · Posted On: 5/10/2012 11:07am

Originally Posted by scipio

You are OK with practising with swords/sticks etc but if you take them out on the street then it is another matter. There is also a huge ambiguity with what if you are taking your katana to your dojo to practice....

Not really, taking it somewhere you're going to use it is a lawful excuse. You'll probably find them a lot more sympathetic if it's in the boot of your car or inside a sports bag than if you have it slung down the side of you trenchcoat, mind...

The katana law was quite specifically written to target wall-hangers for scumbags, so if it's a real antique, hand-forged and/or you're provably a member of a club you can still buy one. They're also only illegal to sell, not to own.

P.S. Judoka_uk, you're a little out of date, they loosened the law up to allow traditionally made weapons as well as antiques. And it was always selling them that was illegal, never possession.

Much infos here: http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/New-UK-Swo...00000006500890

**scipio** · Posted On: 5/10/2012 11:15am

Originally Posted by PointyShinyBurn

Not really, taking it somewhere you're going to use it is a lawful excuse. You'll probably find them a lot more sympathetic if it's in the boot of your car or inside a sports bag than if you have it slung down the side of you trenchcoat, mind...

The katana law was quite specifically written to target wall-hangers for scumbags, so if it's a real antique, hand-forged and/or you're provably a member of a club you can still buy one. They're also only illegal to sell, not to own.

Mmmm - not sure on the lawful excuse, that might be down to how the copper speaking to you deals with the situation. I do remember my training in the police many years ago and what length of blade, fixed vs folding blades could be carried. I remember that a folding blade had to be less than 2.5 inches and a fixed blade could not be carried unless it was for ceremonial/religous purposes or being used for work.

I remember having a lively discussion with the instructor as (at the time) I often carried a fixed bladed knife when I went sea fishing to cut bait and was told it was technically illegal.

I think it all depends on the police on the day. It is worth pointing out I haven't been in the police for quite a few years and legislation/best practice may (and probably has) changed

**PointyShinyBurn** · Posted On: 5/10/2012 11:21am

Originally Posted by scipio

I remember that a folding blade had to be less than 2.5 inches and a fixed blade could not be carried unless it was for ceremonial/religous purposes or being used for work.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/33/section/139

That's not quite correct, ceremonial/religious purposes and work are examples of good reasons, not restrictions on them.

Originally Posted by scipio

I remember having a lively discussion with the instructor as (at the time) I often carried a fixed bladed knife when I went sea fishing to cut bait and was told it was technically illegal.

Like a lot of police in the UK, he didn't know what the law actually says.

**scipio** · Posted On: 5/10/2012 11:23am

Like a lot of police in the UK, he didn't know what the law actually says.[/QUOTE]

Yep! I do remember making it up as we went along. Collegue of mine once nicked a guy "cos you are a ****"

**Permalost** · Posted On: 5/10/2012 2:08pm

Originally Posted by PointyShinyBurn

Like a lot of police in the UK, he didn't know what the law actually says.

That's common elsewhere too. One time a cop stopped me here in California, and measured the length of my folding knife's blade against his palm, and suggested that that was the legal limit. It's not, and it would be a very arbitrary scale to begin with.

**judoka_uk** · Posted On: 5/10/2012 3:49pm

I'm pretty sure its standard practice, because its much easier for the police to trick someone into surrendering their weapons or potential weapons and then grudgingly give it back later.

Thus covering the polices' arse rather than find out someone has a weapon or potential weapon and let them carry on their way on to be later cross examined about why you stopped the guy with the weapon and let him go.

Frankly if I was a policeman I would probably do the same.

**Jim_Jude** · Posted On: 5/10/2012 4:10pm

affect a limp & travel with a cane!!!! & only CANEMASTERS will do!
let me tell you, few things are as gratifying as shattering someone's knee with a nice stout hickory stick...