Posted on 06/28/2004 8:07:38 PM PDT by BradJ
Swords will become prohibited weapons from July 1, carrying penalties of up to $12,000 or six months in prison for illegal use or possession, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Andre Haermeyer said today.
Mr Haermeyer announced new sword regulations today, saying they would assist Victoria Police to crack down on incidents involving swords.
"The Bracks Government is implementing these new regulations to help Victoria Police overcome this culture of young people arming themselves with swords," Mr Haermeyer said.
"From July 1, swords will be made prohibited weapons, making it illegal to use, possess or carry a sword."
Mr Haermeyer said the elevation of swords from controlled to prohibited weapons would also impact on vendors attempting to sell swords.
"It is illegal to sell prohibited weapons other than in limited circumstances. Vendors will only be legally permitted to sell a sword to an individual who can produce evidence that they fall within an exempt category or have a specific approval from the Chief Commissioner," he said.
"Vendors will be required to register who they have sold swords to, the nature of the buyers' exemption and the type of sword or swords.
"Police will have the power to inspect a vendor's register."
Mr Haermeyer said the Government would establish exempt categories to ensure legitimate sword owners were not disadvantaged.
"There are some cultural, religious, military and collector groups that have legitimate reasons to own swords," he said.
"Such groups will be able to apply for an Order exempting their members from the need to obtain individual approvals. Also, individuals who do not fall into those categories will be able to apply to the Chief Commissioner of Police for an individual approval."
He said the new Orders would also carry some security conditions.
"Legitimate sword owners understand the importance of ensuring that their swords do not fall into the wrong hands," Mr Haermeyer said.
"Our intention is to ensure that security requirements provide a level of community assurance without being too onerous for legitimate sword owners."
Mr Haermeyer said the Government had issued a Regulatory Impact Statement regarding swords last year and had assessed feedback from a range of stakeholders.
"It's clear that the majority of Victorians back the push to keep swords off the streets," he said.
"The feedback we have received from stakeholders has been valuable and will help to ensure that we achieve this aim while not unfairly disadvantaging legitimate sword owners."
Mr Haermeyer said the Government had given police 480 metal detectors and late last year introduced new search powers, to enable Victoria Police to search people they reasonably suspect are carrying weapons.
Also, in the Autumn 2000 session of Parliament, new legislation was passed to restrict the sale and possession of knives and other weapons.
You guys are practically defenseless now. Does that scare you? Considering how bad things are in this crazy world it would scare me if I didn't have my guns.
Things are not great but also not quite as bad as they may seem.
Refer posts 32 & 37 above by naturalman1975 for his very good clarification of the situation.
The Australian gooberment has just announced that it plans to add stones to the list of banned weapons. Those found in possession of stones will be sentenced to life in prison.
LOL........... yep, a camera in one hand and a sword in the other!
They are permitted to carry an image of a sword - either a miniature sword, or a photograph. I remember reading that in AR 670-1.
At the end, they're coming for our cars :o)
Does it specifically mention lobbing scimitars?
Oh now I can't stop laughing. That was a good post.
Loved that one where Zatoichi's assassins track him by following a trail of dirty diapers.
Psstt he is a government official :)
Next up: stone permits.
So much for the varsity fencing squad then, eh?
Government careers are boring and mindless. This leads to retarded mobsters gaining the numerical advantage. which brings on real stupid lawmaking. Just what do these idiots think is a legitimate reason other than self defense? Religion? So we all become Sikhs so we can carry swords? What military unit is Australia uses swords? Why does a collector have privilege over me?
They got to get the swords off the streets because of what, misuse by youth gangs. Outlaw the gangs you idiots.
Japan with one of the lowest murder rates holds the art of sword drawing in high esteem. Anyone can learn the art.
Something is wrong with parliamentary democracy worldwide. I think too many people have taken Plato too serious. The lawyer class has become his guardians. This is unlike early America where officials came from successful businessmen and farmers. Methinks America is head the same way as the Commonwealth's parliamentary democracies.
Remember them well....floating in bilious green pea soup along with a good dose of tomato sauce for effect.
For some reason, I feel the need to ping you. :)
Yeah, really wished I'd picked another screen name.
Just curious, do you remember them from spending time in Australia or do they actually serve these things up elsewhere on the planet?
Technically, it's not a *bang but I couldn't find a *stab_list.
This is an outrage! I'm so mad, I could just . . . oh, wait, I could have, but my sword seems to have disappeared.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.