My intention was always to keep the content and tone of this blog fun and light but when there is something as serious and far reaching as the government current thinking on banning swords you have got to say something!

Now here is your chance to express your opinion and contribute to the online petition asking the Prime Minister to reconsider an outright ban on swords:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/swords/

The proposed ban on the import, sale and manufacture of swords will have an adverse effect on legitimate practitioners, collectors and manufacturers. Actual sword related crime is very rare and does not warrant a ban that affects the cultural activities of thousands of legitimate martial artists, collectors and smiths. Current legislation is quite adequate to deal with violent crime connected with bladed weapons. New legislation is merely for show. Enforcing such a ban will also affect cultural events such as Scottish Sword Dancing and many Sikh festivals. We urge the PM to reconsider this knee jerk reaction to media influenced scaremongering. (taken from the online petition)

Now, my dad always said that I should understand both sides of the argument to be able to form an opinion, so with this in mind check out these online government news:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2006/08/14094639

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060719/debtext/60719-1014.htm (scroll down to half of the document to read discussion about banning swords)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/6168318.stm

Hope this helps.

Pascal