[Michael Clark]

Here in Ontario, to learn how to drive they make us read a 20 dollar handbook of sorts. We are expected to know it, backwards and forwards, by the time we take our initial test that enables us to drive while supervised. There are very specific indications of when NOT to go driving. The most obvious being not while under the influence, of course, and thus the law we have. But it also cites not to drive while emotionally charged in any way, or having reckless intentions, excessive eating or too little eating, drowzy, and so on and so forth.

I think noting reasons and examples of when and where and WHY not to engage in activities with a sword are paramount to giving it the proper respect it deserves. Though the problem is getting others aware of these "protocols," if you will.

I would like to see manufacturers themselves add a foreward to their product, mentioning the dangers of the item(s). It appears agreed that common sense takes place in this respect... But nowadays, common sense isn't all that common.

[B. Stark]

[Nathan Keysor]

What gets me heated when something like this happens is to imagine the hoards of lawyers looking for somebody to sue. The guy who committed the murder probably doesn't have much money so who could they go after? The company that made the sword would be a good target. Regardless of whether the litigation is succcessful the company will spend time and resources to defend itself and will be lucky not to be driven out of business. These expenses will be passed on to the consumer along with new safety regulations such as "swords must be sold unsharpened" for liability purposes. Furthermore, people who collect swords could be villified in the media for our "perverse obsession with weapons". There are plenty of countries where you need special licensing to own a sword and some cities here in the US that they can't be shipped to. That is why I bemoan any news story where the object used in the crime is more of a feature than the individual that perpatrated it.

[Lafayette C Curtis]

Well, Sean's and Bram's rules would be a good start--now we'll need to elaborate and formalize them a little and maybe we'll get enough material to start an article on sword safety protocols? myArmoury has quite an amount of prestige among the sword crowd and hosting such an article here is likely to get it fairly well know, especially if we can pester the many industry professionals here to put a link to it on their websites. I bet they'll be more than glad to do so.

[Steve Fabert]

[E Stafford]

The Rock Springs that the article is mentioning, in case anyone is interested, is Rock Springs, Wyoming. Site of a very nice two year college with a wonderful theatre program. I got my associates there.

The first suggestion I would have is don't have the sword out when you're drunk. Second suggestion is when moving the sword around the house, tip to the ceiling or the ground. I carry mine over my shoulder. I might just be rethinking that after this. I would dare say also that if you don't have a scabbard for a rapier type weapon, a length of PVC pipe purchased at your local hard ware store works just fine. I wouldn't know what to do about a longsword. I suppose back carry would work. It won't look pretty, but unless or until a proper scabbard can be obtained, it'll work just fine.

My last thought is as far as the safety regulations and buyer awareness go, it'll work in the community, but outside that, it won't matter. I would tend to think those of us who have done test cutting know what a good sharp sword can do and would respect that, just like a firearm in my parent's house stays UNLOADED until we get it outside.

Finally, this chap has an uphill battle ahead of him. Alcohol is part of Wyoming's culture (it could be argued it's our ONLY culture) but hurting someone whilst intoxicated is NOT smiled upon. He's going to be a guest in Rawlins for a while; how long will be figured out by the local justice system.

[David Martin]

I like the idea of coming up with a set of guidelines for the safe handling and transportation of swords and other weapons. Worries of the "sword police" enforcing any stated guidelines are unfounded, as there have been guidelines for the safe handling of firearms for decades and we hear of examples every day of people who failed to follow them.

My thought is that we could establish these guidelines and post them as a community service. I would also suggest posting them on other sword forums, as this would have the potential to generate some interest in myArmoury. To further advertise these guidelines, we could have links in our signature lines, or a standing bullet at the top of the page.

Trying to prevent sword and other weapon injuries is a very noble cause. While most of the membership here are cognizant of the dangers inherent in these weapons, we need to be mindful that others are not. There are potentially children and young adolescents perusing this and other weapon-oriented sites.

Learning to respect a weapon as dangerous as a sword through trial and error is a dangerous proposition - the potential for damage is so high that the careless user might not survive to learn from their mistake. If we pool our knowledge, I think we can help. Who knows how many injuries we may prevent, or lives we might save?

[Michael G. Myers]

[Nathan Robinson]

[J. Erb]

For what it's worth:

I live outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (hopefully everyone has at least a vague idea of where that is). Just a day or so before the Wyoming incident, I happened to see a news brief on the television that said a mother and daughter in the city had fended off an intruder with their sword collection. (In the words of the reporter, "the man quickly discovered that he'd chosen the wrong house to break into.") There was a brief clip of a policman tagging a longsword as evidence.

Frankly, I was delighted. Everyone I know looks at me askance when I start talking about swords, and it's easy to see the worry on their faces, the worry that I'm really a homicidal maniac plotting to buy a blade and start killing people. But this -- this was a time when swords had been put to good use!

Then I checked the forums here and found out about the Wyoming incident. Needless to say, my good mood vanished. What nervous people had feared would happen . . . happened. I felt almost guilty for being a sword enthusiast -- not to mention royally vexed at the perpetrator.

Much has been said about it, of course, but I feel compelled to add my two cents. Somebody here in the forums has a signature to the effect that, despite all the craftsmanship, art, and fine forms we give them, swords are weapons intended to kill. I never fail to feel a chill when perusing the reviews on this site. It can be easy to see a sword as a thing, or perhaps a work of art. Though many are works of art, one look at those points and edges conveys their real purpose.

It can be hard to explain a fascination with such dealers of death, to put it melodramatically, but such fascination obviously does not make us killers. As has been said, being sensible and responsible, and perhaps remembering a few guidelines, can help keep everyone safe.

Well, enough rambling. I'm off to bed, hoping that the Wyoming incidnet will be the only incident.

[Alex Oster]

The main thing with situations like this is simpley: Why is it the sword that was the focal point of the problem? What about the Alcohol, or family problems, or the indivivuals own mental state? But throw a sword or gun into the mix, and then everyone jumps up and down about the murder weapon. Society basicly shrugs off the huge portion of drunk driving murders every year, and domestic battery is "not our concern" for most people.. Its like yelling at the ashes of an arson site instead of catching the real cause of it. Society and intoxication are the true criminals in most all these cases... but thats too big a pie to eat all at once I guess, so they go after petty aspect of the crimes instead. If we actually held people acountable for their actions, we wouldn't need so many laws and regulations. Stick your finger in a light socket and its your own falt. I hope he gets the maximum, and they leave it at that.

[Sean Flynt]

I'm the original hijacker of this thread. Mea Culpa. Everybody, please respect Nathan's request to move the safety discussion.

[Michael Edelson]

[Bruno Giordan]

[Nathan Keysor]

[Alex Oster]

[Bruno Giordan]

[Michael Edelson]

[Alex Oster]

no worries, It was a late night post. My intent was to point out that what makes the headlines is how it was a sword, or a gun, or an apathetic drunk driver, yet no one looks further than that. My buddy got attacked by a crack head weilding a spear a few months ago, and all they news could talk about was the weapon. They breifly mentioned the rest of the story, but was mezmerized over the "spear attacker". They didn't point out my buddies cat like reflexes that saved his llfe, or much about the crackhead past attacks.

Long and short of it: My freinds a barista in one of those drive up carbord box like coffe stands that are about 6'x6'. The crazy guy tried to use the spear togain the reach neededto impale my freind in the box. Overall my buddy recieved about four surface scratches (like a cat scratch) and multiple cuts to his clothes, but was able to dode all the thrusts before grabing the chemical mace and hosing the guy while some onlookers tackled him. Apparently the dude came at him while his back was turned, and "I caught a sense of movement behind me, and as I turned the spear went right past my kidney; grazing instead of sticking right in." Apparently after numerous thrusts, the guy only then demanded money. Then got hosed.

[Gordon Frye]

The guidelines should be simple:

1.) Treat every sword as if it's loaded (because it effectively is).

2.) Never point it at anything which you do not wish to destroy.

Exceptions made for "blank-only" swords intended for mock combat, which have blunt points and edges.

Cheers,

Gordon