Exemptions exist for antique sword collectors
Legislation against selling, making, hiring or importing http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=711 swords in England and Wales has come into force.
Those breaking the law face six months in jail and a £5,000 fine. Carrying a sword in public is already illegal.
Exemptions will cover swords which are used for re-enactments or antique weapons kept on display by collectors.
Eight years ago a councillor was killed by a man wielding a samurai sword in the office of Cheltenham Liberal Democrat http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=2872 Nigel Jones.
Anyone http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=385 of importing samurai swords will face up to seven years in prison and an unlimited fine.
Samurai swords are part of Japanese history and genuine artefacts can change hands for large sums of money. But in recent years there has been a trade in reproductions which can be bought over the internet for as little as £35 and they have been used in several attacks.
Last month a gang of youths, one armed with a samurai sword, attacked a 15-year-old boy in Newry, County Down.
On another occasion, a youth was seen brandishing a sword in Newcastle.
Chris James, who deals in antique military items, including Japanese swords, told the BBC he welcomed the legislation.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7331099.stm