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PM's knee-jerk reaction

Tony Blair has revealed that the Home Office is to begin consultation on a ban in the import, sale, manufacture or hire of samurai swords.

The PM said: "I know - and understand why - this is such a big issue locally and why the Express and Echo has campaigned so strongly about it."

The only exception to this ban could be martial arts groups who can demonstrate they use these weapons legitimately and safely, although the consultation could result in an outright ban.

It seems to have slipped everyone's mind that these items can have a purely decorative use, many people have them hanging from their walls because they like the craftsmanship that was put in to making the items. Most blades sold are blunt, and even if sharpened the blades are not tempered and would easily break off.

Will this mean the Royal Albert won't be able to display weapons loaned from other museums, and more importantly, will this stop pissed up twats from hurting each other?

Unlikely.

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