Home Office: Prove your innocence if you have an antique

[froggy]

That sad episode took place in Britain where no such restriction applies. The sabre got stopped entering the UK on the ground of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (2008 amendment). The various agents who were trying to enforce the law were plainly unaware of the exceptions made by the legislator for antique swords. It actually happened couple of times for antique Japanese swords but the paroxysm of imbecility goes to the moron that dealt with that KM sword. I can appreciate & excuse his lack of technical method of production knowledge, but worryingly it became quite clear he was also ignorant of the end of the WWII's date.
Where on earth do they find them & why my taxes have to keep them in their job ?
Good luck to whoever will have an antique weapon stopped by this waste of space.

[Browning_grrl]

Are swords illegal in the UK? (another colonial question....) :)

[Marmite5]

That sad episode took place in Britain where no such restriction applies. The sabre got stopped entering the UK on the ground of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (2008 amendment). The various agents who were trying to enforce the law were plainly unaware of the exceptions made by the legislator for antique swords. It actually happened couple of times for antique Japanese swords but the paroxysm of imbecility goes to the moron that dealt with that KM sword. I can appreciate & excuse his lack of technical method of production knowledge, but worryingly it became quite clear he was also ignorant of the end of the WWII's date.
Where on earth do they find them & why my taxes have to keep them in their job ?
Good luck to whoever will have an antique weapon stopped by this waste of space.

So it was swords in general, what about ceremonial religious swords are they exempt?

[Marmite5]

Are swords illegal in the UK? (another colonial question....) :)

I suppose it depends when it was made.

[Outsider]

No, swords aren't illegal. The Labour government banned stamped metal mass produced sword like objects if they are curved.

[froggy]

Are swords illegal in the UK ?
No not at all. Collecting sword is perfectly legal. Due to their criminal use, the import of curved blades over 50 cm was banned. The intention of the law was to stop cheap but dangerous modern Japanese katana style swords to reach the UK.
Under the pressure of specialised dealers, amendment & provision were made to protect legitimate collectors items. Sadly, the very people, customs/borders agents, paid to enforce the rule actually ignore the law in its integrality & some of them actually lack the basic intelligence to even understand it.

[Marmite5]

Are swords illegal in the UK ?
No not at all. Collecting sword is perfectly legal. Due to their criminal use, the import of curved blades over 50 cm was banned. The intention of the law was to stop cheap but dangerous modern Japanese katana style swords to reach the UK.
Under the pressure of specialised dealers, amendment & provision were made to protect legitimate collectors items. Sadly, the very people, customs/borders agents, paid to enforce the rule actually ignore the law in its integrality & some of them actually lack the basic intelligence to even understand it.

Ok, that's cleared it up a bit.

[Browning_grrl]

Are swords illegal in the UK ?
No not at all. Collecting sword is perfectly legal. Due to their criminal use, the import of curved blades over 50 cm was banned. The intention of the law was to stop cheap but dangerous modern Japanese katana style swords to reach the UK.
Under the pressure of specialised dealers, amendment & provision were made to protect legitimate collectors items. Sadly, the very people, customs/borders agents, paid to enforce the rule actually ignore the law in its integrality & some of them actually lack the basic intelligence to even understand it.

So no cutlasses then??