Future of Swordsmanship in Scotland

[Jeffrey Hull]

Hello Fellows:

First Note: As the ARMA-Forum is dedicated to remaining unpolitical, and indeed, I think it should be, I would understand if the Webmaster must remove this post. However, when world-affairs, politics, socio-economic circumstances, whatever -- intrude upon our beloved craft, then we have no choice but to deal with it. Thus said, I have done my best to make this post non-partisan and factual, and encourage others to deal with such in a similar manner. FYI: I have made a similar post at EHCG Forum.

Now, this can be read in full at the Web-version of "The Scotsman" news:

http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1345182004

Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell stated recently:

*The sale of swords in Scotland today is fundamentally wrong. There can be no reason for people buying swords off the street for use or to have in their homes.*

And furthermore stated that among the Executive's proposals is:

*Banning the sale of swords. While the sale of swords would be outlawed under the proposals, the Executive has no plans to ban swords being kept in private homes. There would, however, be a ban on the possession of a sword in a public place*

Thus presented, I should like to encourage you British fellows to work vigorously and lawfully against this threat to your freedom, as you deem you must. You have my support in your efforts to retain your right to ownership of swords and hence to practice of swordsmanship.

Good luck,

Jeffrey Hull

[JeanryChandler]

God, there really is no end to it is there? My question is, how many ordinary tools are there, garden shears, chainsaws, bills, shovels, which are nearly as dangerous as say, as sword? Are they going to band gardening in the name of safety?

DB

[Chris Thompson]

This issue is being discussed on Sword Forum. The Dawn Duelists Society and Maestro MacDonald are both actively involved in working to get this legislation written so as to make exemptions for legitimate WMA groups.
This was all prompted by a report showing something like 7500 knife assaults in Glasgow last year. Glasgow has a very long history of gang violence involving knives, going back to the "razor gangs" of the 30s and even into the 19th century. (In fact, the 19th-century San Toy Boys still survive today as "The Toi.")
Every few years, politicians decide to get hysterical about the Glasgow situation. Personally, I feel that the problem has more to do with an aspect of Scottish urban culture than it does with the weapons themselves- after all, the traditional Glasgow streetfighting weapon is the straight razor, not the sword. So until that culture changes, the problem will continue no matter what the politicians do. But that's just my opinion. The fact is that the American concept of a "right to bear arms" is not popular in Britain, and if the sword enthusiasts try to block the legislation completely, they'll certainly lose. Their best bet is to get it modified before it's actually written into the law. Scottish historical fencers are already working on this, and the best thing we can do to help them is to simply let them do it- well-meaning protest letters from America would probably hurt rather than help.
-Chris Thompson

[Jaron Bernstein]

Didn't the UK recently ban all private gun ownership also?

[Chris Thompson]

I have a good friend in London who owns several guns. They haven't been banned, but they are restricted.

-Chris Thompson

[Matt Bailey]

Jeffrey, et. al.
There is really no point in gnashing our teeth and pulling our hair over what's happening in the former British commonwealth-it's not sudden, but has been building for years. Remember, England had to borrow firearms to arm the citizenry against possible German invasion in WWII. Rebecca Peters, leader of a global disarment movement, opined in regards to Britons no longer being able to practice the sport of handgun shooting "I feel sad for you. I suppose you will miss your sport. Take up another sport." I suppose swordsmen in the U.K. may at some point have to take up another sport. You feel sorry for the individuals, but the British people as a whole have allowed this to happen, and now they have to live with it.

My advice to Americans is to do everything they can to preserve liberty in America. This is partially political, but also should involve awakening the native soul of our people-Remember, weapons and warriorship are holy to the indigenous organic religion of Europe, and weapons freedoms along with other liberties spring from our ancient tribal traditions. When we make it understood to our brethren that surrendering our arms is tantamount to giving up a part of our souls, that will do as much to stop sword-grabbing schemes as anything you can imagine.

My advice to Britons is to move to America and help us in this fight if they can. Seems a hard thing, but I plan on moving to a different state for the purposes of liberty when I finish my education. That's after all, what our ancestors did, despite hardships.