Is the government about to ban the Bat'leth?

[major_clanger]

BBC: 'Zombie knives' ban to come into force

I'm clearly not down with the street, because I didn't realise that 'Zombie knives' were a thing, or that there was enough of a problem with them that the government was instituting a ban on their sale or import. A friend of mine wonders if this ban would include the Bat'leth, the iconic Klingon multi-

Comments

[abigail_n]

Surely the important question here is whether these replica weapons have an edge? Most of the ones I've seen for sale have dull edges - it would be impossible to cut or stab someone with them.

(That said, a quick google for replica Bat'leths found one site that offers to put a "razor-sharp" edge on your weapon for an extra $5.)

In that case, I think it's very simple. If a replica weapon has an edge, then it's a weapon and is subject to all laws regarding weapons (and frankly, I don't think it should be legal to sell Bat'leths with an edge, whether or not they meet the definition of "zombie knives"). If it doesn't, then it's an ornament and laws about weapons don't apply.

[unwholesome_fen]

I think it's legal to own (but not carry) some edged weapons, so the question is rather which ones it's legal to own at all? Also, non-edged weapons are not necessarily just ornaments - for example a sword used for medieval re-enactment will have no edge, and I assume would be legal to carry if you're on your way to one.

[abigail_n]

That's my point. A sword with no edge is not a weapon. It's an ornament or a prop. Weapon laws wouldn't apply to it. A sword with an edge is a weapon, even if its intended use is for reenactment or role-playing. Weapon laws would, and should, be applied to it.

[major_clanger]

Still, waving such a weapon at someone might well be a public order offence, or even assault (you do not need to actually hit someone to assault them, just put them in immediate fear of violence.) For that matter, even a blunt sword, if heavy enough, could do you some damage.

(When I was an RAF officer cadet at Cranwell we used to practice sword drill with blunt and very plain training swords, the same weight and balance as the real thing. You would not have wanted someone to take a swipe at you with one.)

[unwholesome_fen]

A baseball bat would be an obvious example - if you aren't on the way to or from playing baseball, why are you carrying it? A metre of steel, however blunt, is rather more dangerous.

[hairyears]

One of your points is correct: the other is dangerously wrong