Posted on 03/28/2006 5:59:18 AM PST by Cagey
LAWRENCE, Mass. --Civil War buffs, outdoorsmen and police officers all claimed victory in the creation of a citywide knife ban that was softened to accommodate historical exhibits and re-enactments and some recreational and occupational uses. Under the new rule, which will take effect April 20, machetes, sabers, swords, knives, ice picks and other similar weapons with 2.5-inch or longer blades capable of penetrating a police officer's vest are banned in Lawrence. However such weapons used in fishing, hunting, performing arts and job- or historical-related activities are allowed.
"Flag staff tips to bayonets to sabers is really the lifeblood (of the Lawrence Civil War Memorial Guard)," Sean Sweeney, 44, of Lawrence told city councilors, who had considered an ordinance that banned all the swords, knives and other bladed weapons that are on display at historical exhibits and used in Civil War re-enactments.
State Trooper Mark F. Blanchard, who is assigned to District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett's drug task force and was a catalyst for the measure, hailed the new ordinance as a victory.
Blanchard said police have confiscated what he called a box full of "scary weapons" -- including a Samurai sword, a machete, and a knuckle knife in the shape of a Batman emblem with blades on its wings.
The ban will make each offense subject to an arrest and a fine of up to $100. Anyone caught with an illegal knife in a park, on a playground or on school property could be fined up to $300.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Oh, darn! I had planned to vacation in Mass. this summer and stab people in the toes with my saber. Guess I'll stay home and do that.
Don't forget to have the barbers turn in their sissors, those slim pointed blades are 4-6 inches long.
It's the government ... they'll be glad to.
LOL! You and I must've booked the same tour.
What sort of pansie state troopers do they have in Massachusetts?
...utterly, f_cking amazing.
And people from massoftwoshits still wonder why we here in the South snicker when they tell us where they are from.
This is probably sloppy reporting, but beyond the obvious silliness of the whole topic, I don't see any exemption for kitchen knives, garden tools and the like.
My grandfather (who was a Colonel, USA) had a couple of "mock swords" that apparently were used for training and non-ceremonial occasions.
The blades were made of wood, possibly oak.
They're someplace at my dad's house, so I can't check them out at a moment's notice (he's 500 miles away).
I guess hedge clippers qualify as weapons of mass destruction.
But a Chef chopping knife is still illegal huh? Wow. Just when you thought they couldnt get any dumber.
Exactly. So you're going to violate my rights? Thanks for not violating them all. So you're going to cut off some of my fingers. Thanks for not cutting off them all. You sure are swell, government.
However such weapons used in fishing, hunting, performing arts and job- or historical-related activities are allowed.
What do you expect in a state that keeps on electing the likes of Ted Kennedy and John Kerry?
So all former and retired military officers have to throw-out their swords?
This is just annother attack on the rights of undocumented workers who can't obtain a gun because the Federales requirement that they have proper ID for a gun purchase.
Some numb minded judge could say that sword hanging on your wall is not being used for any activity. "Turn it in!"
Sikhs and Asatruar would seem to have a religious "out" here.
A wayfarer should not walk unarmed,
But have his weapons to hand:
He knows not when he may need a spear,
Or what menace meet on the road.
Heck, Christians would probably, too. The "He who does not ha a sword, sell your cloak and buy one" bit.
What about grapefruit spoons? They're pretty sharp.
Sad. Pathetic. Stupid. Dangerous...
But not amazing.
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