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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Mar 24, 2021 2:09:22 GMT
Just remember, a lot of people have gone to jail when they otherwise wouldn't because they decided they really weren't being detained after being told otherwise and tried to walk away.
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Post by unistat76 on Mar 24, 2021 18:14:25 GMT
Just remember, a lot of people have gone to jail when they otherwise wouldn't because they decided they really weren't being detained after being told otherwise and tried to walk away. QFT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2021 11:31:46 GMT
I looked up the laws on sword carrying in the US, but some states the laws are confusing and unclear and some are quite clear. The quite clear states are no carrying of swords off of private property. If any of you are legal eagles in the US or just have an easier time understanding vague laws please help me. I do not want to see the inside of a prison as an inmate. So why do you feel the need to carry/wear a sword in public? Cosplay? Well, personal protection really. Having made an extremely bad choice some years ago, firearms are out of the bloody question. However, in reality the point is moot at this time as I am now serving time on paper. I cannot even have one at my home. And for some reason, Oklahoma does not allow parolees or probationaries, like me now, to even defend ourselves. I just want to know for when that time ends. If I live to see it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2021 11:33:43 GMT
Does there need to be a reason other than the fact he wants to? If there is a reason, who has the authority to approve whether or not it's a valid one (assuming it's allowed by law)? If its legal I don't oppose it, I am just curious why someone would want to stand out as most likely the only guy in the city or state openly wearing a sword in public on any particular day. CosPlay seemed the most obvious reason and since OP is also searching out medieval clothing it seemed likely ( sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/63729/medieval-clothing ). Most people I think would prefer to avoid unwanted attention open carrying or weapons will bring and in particular the attention from Law Enforcement responding to 911 calls placed by concerned citizens who probably wouldn't know if it was legal or not. Can I assume that you have the same viewpoint supporting those wanting to open carry firearms? For the record, I am not a fan of open carry of handguns/rifles for the same reasons listed above plus the big target on an open carry persons back for someone looking to acquire a firearm for nefarious purposes. OP should learn to use Google search function...here is the first thing that popped up when I searched for my state; Surprisingly, it's entirely legal to carry a sword in public in California, as long as you are the wearer is not brandishing it or concealing it. In other words, if the sword is carried in a sheath suspended from the wearer's waist, it is legal to have in public. This is an important distinction though, because carrying the sword out in the open without a sheath in a "rude, angry or threatening manner" is considered brandishing, which is against the law. This is a misdemeanor crime, punishable by up to 30 days in jail.
legalbeagle.com/7402613-california-sword-law.html
actually I do not cosplay. I just really like their styles. Maybe I was born on the wrong century. 😹
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2021 11:38:43 GMT
For the record, I currently reside in Oklahoma. Their sword laws do say that sword canes are legal, but it does not address other types of swords. Also to be clear, it has nothing to do with LARP or cosplay. I am thinking ahead on self defence purposes as a firearm is out of the question. Oklahoma has Constitutional carry. It is not uncommon to see someone carrying a firearm out in the open. I remember when I was able to carry. I miss having firearms.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Apr 4, 2021 13:51:18 GMT
oklegal.onenet.net/oklegal-cgi/get_statute?99/Title.21/21-1272.htmlI was surprised to learn just now that Oklahoma has more pointless weapon laws than my state of Washington. Like no teflon-coated bullets or no carrying pistols over .45 caliber. My first thought was the good old felon special of percussion cap revolvers, because that's the most effective weapon you're allowed to buy with your record. But the above law prohibits carrying those even though they aren't firearms by law. My honest advice would be to keep muzzleloaders and swords at home, and carry pepper spray and possibly a cane or other impact weapon out and about. It is what it is. The world of stickfighting martial arts is its own adventure. How do you think a convicted felon who uses a sword in a public altercation will be viewed by the local authorities when they investigate an alleged incident of brandishing or assault? Sounds like an uphill battle for you. I don't mean to be unkind, but the perception will matter almost as much as the statute.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Apr 4, 2021 14:34:55 GMT
I agree with Adventure. Except for the grey area of .32 percussion pistols, having a weapon of any kind is sketchy at best. Pepper spray and perhaps a walking stick are the most easily defendable in court if something happens because they can be seen as "defensive" weapons rather than offensive. In other words, if you carry a stick, it can be argued that you weren't looking to start trouble.
And yes, sadly perception is often more important than the letter of the law.
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Post by Lord Newport on Apr 4, 2021 16:36:16 GMT
So why do you feel the need to carry/wear a sword in public? Cosplay? Well, personal protection really. Having made an extremely bad choice some years ago, firearms are out of the bloody question. However, in reality the point is moot at this time as I am now serving time on paper. I cannot even have one at my home. And for some reason, Oklahoma does not allow parolees or probationaries, like me now, to even defend ourselves. I just want to know for when that time ends. If I live to see it. So, having made a critically bad choice some years ago, and served what I assume was hard prison time, you want to openly carry a sword (if you even can) when you are off parole/probation because you currently are not even allowed to own a sword while still on parole/probation? I would venture that your bad choices in life are not behind you yet. I suggest you move to a place where know one knows you, keep your head down, obey the law and live in a manner that there is a very low statistical probability you wont need to defend yourself. Whatever you did has resulted in society deciding YOU can not be trusted with weapons!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2021 16:41:21 GMT
I can understand a felon wanting to look into options for personal protection. I don't have a problem with that, everyone - even felons - should have a right to defend themselves.
I think your best bet is going to be mace/pepper spray. Non-lethal. I'm not sure you're allowed to own a sword even on your own property. Haven't looked up Oklahoma laws.
I think lethal blades are a bad idea though, given your situation, even if they are legal. Because if you use it, they'll go after you. They might go after you if you don't use it. No win scenario. Kitchen knives at home might be your only option - they can't prevent you from cooking.
My choice would be mace in public. Baseball bat at home.
--edit-- I am not a lawyer. I don't know anything better than you do. Just trying to help with my limited knowledge.
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Post by perignum on Apr 4, 2021 17:18:31 GMT
From the perspective of someone living in a country with very strict weapons laws, this conversation is pretty eye-opening. I do know though, human nature being what it is, that openly carrying a sword in public will probably attract more trouble than it would repel. And carrying a weapon, especially in public, opens the possibility, no matter how slight, that you'll use it through some misunderstanding or perceived slight. I'll leave the rest to Shakespeare, who knew a thing or two about how people think and act: Thou art like one of those fellows that, when he enters the confines of a tavern, claps me his sword upon the table and says “God send me no need of thee!” and, by the operation of the second cup, draws it on the drawer when indeed there is no need.
The quote sort of illustrates what can happen in situations where tempers are hot and weapons are to hand. Not saying the OP is himself hotheaded or anything but carrying a sword 'just in case' can easily be the very catalyst for a situation you wanted to avoid in the first place.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Apr 4, 2021 17:27:41 GMT
Be careful guys, BE VERY CAREFUL. We are not here to judge.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2021 17:31:08 GMT
Noted. I'm not judging. OP is fine by me. He's asking valid questions.
This is a reasonable place to ask questions about the legality of swords.
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Post by perignum on Apr 4, 2021 17:42:58 GMT
From a purely legal standpoint you can't even import katanas into some European countries and I know absolutely that carrying a sword would get you stopped and asked some very searching questions by the police. Who would then probably confiscate the sword and you'd have to jump through hoops to get it back.
In most European countries, openly carrying lethal weapons is outright illegal. The variation in the laws you guys have to operate under in the States is mind-boggling.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Apr 4, 2021 17:46:37 GMT
We're not the ones he needs to fear judgment by. We're giving our honest opinions on his query because we do not want him to get into trouble.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Apr 4, 2021 17:54:09 GMT
From a purely legal standpoint you can't even import katanas into some European countries and I know absolutely that carrying a sword would get you stopped and asked some very searching questions by the police. Who would then probably confiscate the sword and you'd have to jump through hoops to get it back. In most European countries, openly carrying lethal weapons is outright illegal. The variation in the laws you guys have to operate under in the States is mind-boggling. The variation can be a headache if you're traveling or moving to a new state, but it also has advantages. Each state can decide for itself what it wants. It's not as hard to change outdated laws in one state vs the nation as a whole. Some outdated knife laws have been successfully changed in the US recently by knife rights lobbyists, for example. And if we want, we can move to a different state and live under different rules much more readily than moving to a different country.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2021 18:01:37 GMT
These are questions I worry about myself. I'm into Cosplay. I like to wear my swords at events like Highland Games festivals. I stress about which blades - sharp or dull - I should take with me. I worry I might have trouble with customs for flying them in my baggage. These are reasonable worries.
We could almost devote a board to "where you can/can't take your swords with you".
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Post by Ari L. on Apr 4, 2021 18:17:02 GMT
If the goal is generalized personal body protection from physical and legal threats, the first port of call should be Pepper Spray. Guns, swords and knives all have the problem that to be the most effective means grave injury or death to your opponent, which will at the least draw the eye of the law.
Pepperspray, while not magic, can turn the tide or discourage someone further, while also being something that can be deployed early and aggressively without as much worry of a complex police investigation into an assault or murder. Followed up with a bat or stick that again can discourage the attacker into pain or unconsciousness in a manner that is less likely to be due to massive blood loss, though potentially still deadly, can be both effective and more likely to be seen by law enforcement as clearly defensive tools. (Bonus, PepperSpray is effective on most aggressive animals.)
Additionally swords and knives aren’t insta-kill weapons, that’s really only in movies. In the heat of things a sword might not actually do as much protecting as you might think. There are real accounts of people slashed up like a Hellraiser cenobite still putting up a serious fight. A few jabs from a sword may eventually be deadly but in the short run may also be less effective at protecting you than strikes from a bat.
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Post by pgandy on Apr 4, 2021 19:01:50 GMT
The question was valid and the answers valid. But reading between the lines I could see where it might turn sour, then I’ll have to go to work. Have pity on this old fart. 😊
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Post by Lord Newport on Apr 4, 2021 20:40:56 GMT
Be careful guys, BE VERY CAREFUL. We are not here to judge. Noted. I'm not judging. OP is fine by me. He's asking valid questions. This is a reasonable place to ask questions about the legality of swords. I am not judging either...just stating facts and observations. The OP is best advised to avoid all weapons and trouble at this point in his life, given what he has told us.
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Post by unistat76 on Apr 5, 2021 1:51:37 GMT
In the context of the OP's situation, I second (3rd, 4th, or 5th?) the recommendation of a stout walking stick and the strongest pepper spray that spews the greatest volume that the law will allow you.
As to the post about hot-headedness and weapons, well I suppose that might be a consideration, but in my experience those that choose to legally carry guns actually become more chill. Certainly the statistics show that in the U.S. legally pistol carriers are more law abiding as a percentage than even the police!
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