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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2010 1:06:41 GMT
Ugh...I HATE those laws! What ever happened to our right to bear arms? I'm glad I live in Georgia now.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 5, 2010 1:12:23 GMT
I've read RK a few times, and I'm currently reading Bleach, Fairy Tail, and about a dozen others. Anyways, RK is full of swords that aren't necessarily real, such as the Mugenjin, which is a saw tooth blade, but the teeth are so fine and small that you can only see them on close inspection; also like a fantasy blade, it was said to have absorbed the fat of everything it had cut and could be ignited with a spark (in fact, it was Shishio's favorite technique). There was also the Renbato, one I was quite fond of, which was the double bladed katana where the blades were placed side by side. Unfortunately it was broken rather easily when Kenshin slipped his saya in between the two blades and twisted it really hard. Then there was the Hakujin no Tachi, of course. Other than that, they were all pretty standard, if a little varied in their methods (such as Aoshi's carrying of two kodachi in a single saya to make it appear to be a nodachi).
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 5, 2010 1:15:19 GMT
Yep, California is messed up like that. Sadly many other places are too. Definitely a good idea to be aware of your state laws in regard to the carry of any perceived weapon. On the original thread in the old forum someone pointed out in his state there was no way to get a conceal carry for a sword. Even though he had it for a gun the state didn't recognize it as valid for use with a sword or knife.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 5, 2010 1:23:54 GMT
Well, as we can see from the people who play around with SLOs and end up on things like Failblog, people obviously don't view swords or knives as weapons anymore, so why would they give a concealed carry permit for one?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2010 17:12:02 GMT
Er...it seems we're getting off-topic here. I didn't even think about it until now. I'll reply in a message.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2010 17:16:42 GMT
How can they not recognize swords as weapons anymore? Given, most swords are probably difficult to carry concealed, but still. How can you convince them to think otherwise? What are you supposed to do, display your swordsmanship in front of them? I really wish civilians could carry swords or knives anytime, without having to worry about getting arrested. I think the world would be so much simpler that way.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 5, 2010 20:43:11 GMT
I don't know. I mean, I went to several RenFests when I was under 18 and the vendors there didn't seem to have a problem with me handling their swords (then again, I've always looked and acted older than I really am, so maybe they thought I was over 18). Personally, I think an open carry law (allowing civilians to carry a weapon openly, like police officers do) would not only be safer for the officers who don't have to try and guess if the person they're patting down is carrying a weapon, but also for the person carrying, given that whole 'most criminals are cowards' thing; the fact that you've got a weapon at hand would give pause to all but the dumbest or most insane of crooks. But, that's getting into politics so I'll stop there.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2010 23:51:45 GMT
Ah, I never tried to handle swords without permission. I was always one to follow the rules, so I waited until I was 18 before I handled them. Even then, I had to show my ID. And yes, I fully agree with you on an open carry law. Besides, if people can legally carry guns, then what's the matter with a sword? *Sigh*...well, we can hope and dream, right?
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 6, 2010 0:22:10 GMT
I never tried to swing them or anything, just appreciate the blades, so I think that may have been why they may not have been too worried. Ironically, the only time I was ever asked to show my ID was in a knife store in a mall when I was nearly 20. Well, I think the only way we'd have an open carry law is if we replaced all of Congress and the president with someone who held those ideas, which seems impossible, so dreaming's pretty much all we can do.
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 6, 2010 4:43:21 GMT
Actually it is legal in many states to carry a sword in public unconcealed. The issue with the beltsword is that it is concealed. I knew a friend in Philly who carried his katana on his back everywhere, and had no trouble from police. But my sword cane was taken by the cops as a concealed weapon.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 6, 2010 4:57:49 GMT
That's true. I think the exact law is that it is unconcealed and you're not doing anything with it in a 'threatening manner', so as long as it stays sheathed, I think you'd be fine in those states. I think Texas (where I am) has a law against carrying swords, unfortunately, but it's perfectly legal to carry a rifle, meaning you could walk down the street with a loaded AR-15 hanging from a sling, but you can't carry a sword on your belt... Talk about unfair.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2010 5:02:38 GMT
^ineffable started the thread so I think you're safe Ineffable - sorry to hear about the confiscated sword cane, did you ever get it back? I am also worried about walking around with a katana in a sword bag over your shoulder '/ clearly this is a normal way to carry it to the dojo without alarming people, but it might still be called a concealed weapon Walking onto the subway, bus, public transportation with a katana in a silk bag is okay in Japan...guess it will not go down well with the cops here.
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 6, 2010 5:17:36 GMT
Most places you are allowed to carry a sword in a sword case/bag. The problem is you just don't see it often. These days the most you see it usually is when someone takes them from their trunk to the dojo then back out to the trunk. Most people using public transportation aren't carrying swords to a dojo. Though my friend in Philly did ride public transportation with his sword regularly. So it can be done.
The problem with carrying a sword weather to a dojo or just because you can is the public is not used to it. You become a sudden attraction. Most curious, some scared, and others decide to become aggressive. They see you with a weapon as a threat to them so they want to pick a fight. Weird I know but it is odd how some people react.
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 6, 2010 5:19:12 GMT
hehehe, you need one of these then so people will think your sword is just a gun. :lol:
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 6, 2010 5:24:22 GMT
:lol:
With regards to carrying one in public, you definitely tend to incite a bit of panic, because people's first reaction to seeing a weapon is 'oh, my god, he's about to go postal!' instead of, you know, something sane. There was a post on the old forum about a woman who had nearly been kidnapped (and was saved by her dog), so, in response, she decided to carry a gun openly, which was legal in her state. When she was walking her dog, a kid saw the gun, freaked, and the kid's parent called the cops about it. I think that if people got used to people carrying weapons in a completely non-threatening manner, such a reaction would subside. Besides, anyone who's actually going to commit a crime with a weapon certainly isn't going to carry it openly.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2010 18:35:34 GMT
More in that case like ' Oh my God, he's about to go pony express!'.
As far as these belt swords being illegal here in California, well..... everything here that might make you a bit safer is illegal. :roll:
That said I see a practical if only occasional use for my personal use with one of these. I travel a lot in places where I am the only Caucasian within many miles and very possibly the only American in the region. Kidnap for profit is common and unfortunately for me in a situation like that I fail the wealth test. My family could not produce a large amount for my ransom. Were someone to successfully grab me, I'd be verily screwed. There have been a few occasions where a firearm made all the difference or a knife caused some pause for the malcontented to re-think. This particular blade looks very cumbersome to deploy but in the event someone did succeed in snatching my ass once things settled a bit this might be just the tool for a little SERE action. It might not be a great slashing weapon but choking up on it and using the tip for a good stab might produce good results. I'm anxious to see Odingaard get a sample for a review.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2010 22:28:46 GMT
Oh, I didn't think you did. I'm just saying I never even picked them up. I've come to respect swords greatly, both as a deadly weapon, and a great work of art. And, as it was said, yes, it is legal to carry a sword in most states as long as it's not concealed. However, as it was also stated, this may incite panic or fear in those around you. Most people are so scared these days, it's practically pathetic. However, I think that it should be written in federal law that open sword carry is allowed. This way, no states could overrule it. You would think that the Second Amendment would be enough, but apparently it's not in some places.... Anyway, I may decide to eventually carry a saber with me if I ever feel the need, like if I ever go to Macon, because I hear there's a lot of crime up there.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 6, 2010 22:44:30 GMT
Yeah, you'd think the Second Amendment would be enough, but apparently not, given how many people are opposing it these days. The only reason I'm neither Republican nor Democrat is because, while the Democrats tend to be more lenient on issues I agree on (such as the legality of abortion and such), they're on a warpath against guns and weapons in general, whereas the Republicans are the opposite; they believe the bible should be applied to the running of this country, but they're all for the right to bear arms. But now I really am getting into politics, so I'm going to stop there.
But what mystifies me is the people who don't believe that a sword is a deadly weapon. I mean, if it wasn't deadly, it wouldn't have stuck around for, what, 7-8,000 years or so? And yes, the fear so many people have for weapons these days is pathetic, just like many people's fear of flying after 9/11; I was afraid to fly before that because I watched one too many airplane movies where the damn things went down.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2010 23:08:12 GMT
I don't think there is any sense that a sword is not a deadly weapon at all. Quite the opposite from as far as I can see. People are terrified of swords and even knives to the point of being ridiculous. As I mentioned I live abroad part of the year. Edged weapons are still part of the culture there, especially in the rural areas, and I've seen the end results of a few conflicts involving short swords. It's pretty grizzly. I think edged weapons carry with them a visceral stigma that may be something in the genetic memory of man ( If you believe all that, I do) that really frightens people. Not only just individual civilians, but law enforcement in particular. Swords tend to negate body armor. Somewhere in the back of peoples minds is the recognition that these things can hack off limbs. Honestly, I don't know what would be more worrisome to me; being shot or being attacked with a sword.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 6, 2010 23:40:39 GMT
Depends on who's doing the attacking. Any idiot can pick up a gun and go on a successful killing spree. To be able to kill more than just a surprised civilian, a man with a sword has to be skilled and able to choose something that's, you know, not a freaking SLO. If I saw someone running at me with a 440 piece of junk, I'm not sure whether I'd laugh or actually do something about it.
But, all silliness aside, I'm taking into account every sparring session I've ever had where there's been an audience. At best, they watch you like you're putting on a show and that there's absolutely no danger despite the fact that a bokuto can easily kill a person, and at worst, they're looking at you like you're a complete idiot for playing with something that can be defeated by a gun with childish ease. Being shot is extremely painful and you'll often find yourself knocked flat on your ass through the sheer blunt force of being hit; add that to the burning hot piece of metal burrowing through you at the speed of sound and it's an extremely unpleasant sensation.
Being attacked with a sword depends on how much damage is actually done to your body. If you just get a small cut, it's not that bad, but if you lose a limb, well, you might as well say good-bye now since you can easily bleed out in under a minute. But the one thing that people tend to not get when dealing with a sword is that it affects the attacker as much as the victim; imagine staring your victim in the eyes as you cut their throat, feeling their blood washing over your hands while you watch their eyes silently condemn you, flashing with panic even as the light fades. Altogether, it's a bad scenario for everyone involved. And yet, I've never come across anyone who actually viewed a sword as a viable weapon.
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