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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 ...
What about the underground market from Florida sellers...those who buy cheaply made concealable knives in bulk and sell to these people.
You know, in Florida there is the Knife Show Loophole and Floridians can stab innocent bystanders at will with the new 'Slash First, Ask Second' law...No duty to retreat turns Floridians in to insane hibachi chefs capable of slicing and dicing the public at the slightes provocation.
The horror, the horror....
This is quite like the UK "Dangerous Weapons Act" and "The Knives Act". Get caught with anything pointy, not work related, or you are not at work, and you get a fine and jail term.
Good luck with that, subjects of Massachusetts.
With those serrated edges?! Good grief man! BAN THEM!
I see they're keeping the "ass" in Mass.
If they follow this line of "logic", then we should all be arrested right now. Or have our hands shackled together, you know what damage a fist can do?
And rolls of quarters!
But your Honor! I reenact my commissioning every day!
Not to mention those 8 piece Wusthof kitchen knife sets they've got on sale for 50% off at the Palm Beach Gardens Bloomingdales!
I read about that.
Don't they call I-95 the Ginsu Pipeline?
Yeah, we also call it the Gerber Highway.
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
Boy, the criminals are sure to obey THIS new law, just like they obey all the other laws.
Last I looked, Gerbers didn't exactly qualify as "cheaply made".
certainly not my combat folders!!
My eternal gratitude will have to go unexpressed. It's hard to believe that the second most important state in the American Revolution is so utterly worthless. I work, but don't live and thus cannot vote here. You few patriots who still live in the Gay State, have my deepest sympathy.
Does this include kitchen cutlery.
Don't feel bad for me - I'm in Georgia. Certainly Georgia is bad enough, but at least it's still Southern.
WHAT!?!?!?! CHEWING GUM KILLED MY BABY! WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN!?!?!?!
L
Interesting conjecture, but I'd say no because:
1. My grandfather served in France in World War I, and trained troops in World War II, so he had no exposure to the Pacific theatre.
2. Unless kendo swords (which I think are two-handed) have a knuckle guard that extends all the way back to the pommel, these aren't.
3. My father specifically referred to them as "mock swords" (after websearching, I understand why you might think what you did). I don't recall whether they were meant to spare the dress sword the wear and tear of daily drill, or if they were made because of metal shortages in the early years of World War II.
They had "U.S." stamped on the knuckle guard.
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