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Weapons ban softened to allow historical events (Mass. town bans knives over 2 1/2")
Boston Globe ^ | 3-27-2006

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 ...


TOPICS: Government; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: banglist; donutwatch; libertarians; massachusetts; oohscaryweapons; pantswettingwimps; selfdefence
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To: Cagey

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.


21 posted on 03/28/2006 6:20:03 AM PST by sergeantdave (The business of business is none of the government's business)
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To: Cagey

Don't forget to have the barbers turn in their sissors, those slim pointed blades are 4-6 inches long.


22 posted on 03/28/2006 6:20:19 AM PST by GreyFriar ((3rd Armored Division -- Spearhead))
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To: KarlInOhio
They'll have to pry my fingernail clippers from my cold, dead, well manicured hands.

It's the government ... they'll be glad to.

23 posted on 03/28/2006 6:20:23 AM PST by SittinYonder (That's how I saw it, and see it still.)
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To: sergeantdave
Oh, darn! I had planned to vacation in Mass. this summer and stab people in the toes with my saber.

LOL! You and I must've booked the same tour.

24 posted on 03/28/2006 6:21:14 AM PST by SittinYonder (That's how I saw it, and see it still.)
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To: Cagey
"(State Trooper Mark F.)Blanchard said police have confiscated what he called a box full of 'scary weapons'..."

What sort of pansie state troopers do they have in Massachusetts?

25 posted on 03/28/2006 6:21:42 AM PST by Redbob
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To: SittinYonder
My jaw dropped at the same thing yours apparently did....these people are all acting like they want to go out of their way to thank the benevolent city fathers for allowing those few concessions...

...utterly, f_cking amazing.

26 posted on 03/28/2006 6:24:11 AM PST by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: Cagey

And people from massoftwoshits still wonder why we here in the South snicker when they tell us where they are from.


27 posted on 03/28/2006 6:24:59 AM PST by commish (Freedom Tastes Sweetest to Those Who Have Fought to Preserve It)
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To: Cagey

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.


28 posted on 03/28/2006 6:25:34 AM PST by Truth29
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To: SteveMcKing
Heh.. most of the swords I've seen are 'ceremonial', whatever the hell that means, proudly displayed on the owners bedroom wall or dresser (amongst other ridiculous items).

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).

29 posted on 03/28/2006 6:30:53 AM PST by George Smiley (This tagline deliberately targeted journalists.)
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To: Truth29

I guess hedge clippers qualify as weapons of mass destruction.


30 posted on 03/28/2006 6:31:27 AM PST by NaughtiusMaximus (DO NOT read to the end of this tagline . . . Oh, $#@%^, there you went and did it.)
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To: Cagey

But a Chef chopping knife is still illegal huh? Wow. Just when you thought they couldnt get any dumber.


31 posted on 03/28/2006 6:32:31 AM PST by Prysson
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To: Joe 6-pack
...utterly, f_cking amazing.

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.

32 posted on 03/28/2006 6:32:56 AM PST by SittinYonder (That's how I saw it, and see it still.)
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To: Cagey
However such weapons used in fishing, hunting, performing arts and job- or historical-related activities are allowed.

So my Bowie knife is allowed. My Scottish dirk is historical, so it too is allowed. It looks like the only edged weapons not allowed are the fantasy blades – “a knuckle knife in the shape of a Batman emblem with blades on its wings.”
33 posted on 03/28/2006 6:38:48 AM PST by R. Scott (Humanity i love you because when you're hard up you pawn your Intelligence to buy a drink.)
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To: Cagey

What do you expect in a state that keeps on electing the likes of Ted Kennedy and John Kerry?


34 posted on 03/28/2006 6:41:25 AM PST by scooter2
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To: pabianice
So all former and retired military officers have to throw-out their swords?

“However such weapons used in fishing, hunting, performing arts and job- or historical-related activities are allowed.”
The military officers’ sword would have historical significance.
35 posted on 03/28/2006 6:41:27 AM PST by R. Scott (Humanity i love you because when you're hard up you pawn your Intelligence to buy a drink.)
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To: SittinYonder

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.


36 posted on 03/28/2006 6:44:09 AM PST by kaboom
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To: R. Scott
I'm not so certain that is covered as they write: or historical-related activities are allowed.”

Some numb minded judge could say that sword hanging on your wall is not being used for any activity. "Turn it in!"

37 posted on 03/28/2006 6:45:29 AM PST by Cagey (You don't pay taxes - they take taxes. ~Chris Rock)
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To: Cagey

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.


38 posted on 03/28/2006 6:53:41 AM PST by orionblamblam (A furore Normannorum libra nos, Domine)
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To: SittinYonder

What about grapefruit spoons? They're pretty sharp.


39 posted on 03/28/2006 6:55:27 AM PST by little jeremiah (Tolerating evil IS evil.)
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To: Joe 6-pack
No. Not amazing. People have completely forgotten who we are supposed to be as a Nation.

Sad. Pathetic. Stupid. Dangerous...

But not amazing.

40 posted on 03/28/2006 6:57:54 AM PST by Dead Corpse (I believe that all government is evil, and that trying to improve it is largely a waste of time.)
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