Immitation Samurai Swords are illegal in the UK, correct?

Question

What about real ones? I've not heard if they are or aren't illegal in the UK.

Also, if I do want (a real) one, legally, how do I go about doing this? Do you need some kind of license or something?

Answer 1

If you can't own guns or swords in the U.K. then how the h**l do you all defend yourselves? Women in particular should be allowed to carry guns or swords, or some kind of bludgeon to hurt potential muggers and rapists.

Answer 2

A sword by any other name is still a sword. If bladed weapons are deemed illegal, why should Samurai swords be exempt?

Answer 3

Yes they are!God fordib someone carved up a haggis with a samurai sword!God save the Queen!

Answer 4

You would need to go through an antique dealer

Answer 5

Hi there

Welcome to the wonderful world of UK law and politics.

If you want clarification then you need to check out the Home Office web page. Sorry when i say clarification what i mean to say is added confusion?

First things first. Are samurai swords banned in the UK?

Apparantly immitation ones are but according to the home office web page only the sale and import of such weapons are illegal. It doesnt mention ownership?

Confused yet?

Secondly if you are a collector or a martial artist who trains in the way of the sword then you can own a real one for training purposes. But what justifies being a collector? And which styles of martial arts are exempt?

None of this is clear but one thing is certain. People are still being stabbed to death on the streets in the UK.

I train in an art that uses many types of samurai sword and i am licensed but i'm still faced with the problem of who do i send this information off to? The suppliers? The Home Office? My local Police Force?

I welcome a ban that removes blades from the hands of the masses but for the rest of us that have been training for many years its a real mess!

Best wishes

idai