Ireland Bans Samurai Swords
A ban on Samurai swords comes into effect from today.
Ireland –-(AmmoLand.com)- The order, brought in by Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern as part of measures to tackle knife crime, makes the sale, importation, purchase or possession of the swords illegal.
Those caught manufacturing, importing, selling or hiring the potentially deadly weapons could face up to seven years in prison. The ban does not apply to hand-carved swords made before 1954.
Those swords made before 1954 or at another time by traditional hand-made methods will be exempt.” the minister said.
The Justice Minister has also recently increased the penalty for possessing a knife in a public place from one to five years.
“Legislation on the use of knives and similar weapons is extremely robust and heavy penalties are in place,” the minister said.
Last month Mr Ahern described a recent spate of knife attacks as ‘very worrying’, but he said the Government was working to try to raise awareness in an effort to reduce knife crime.
Mr Ahern recently increased the maximum penalty for possessing a knife in a public place from one to five years.
Gardaí have also been given stronger powers to carry out searches.
The Government said the new laws will target cheap, easily-obtained swords most likely used by criminals.
Official figures have shown 100 people were killed in knife attacks in the five years up to 2007.