Legality of purchasing a sword and importing it to Ireland

Hauk

Hi guys,

I was looking at purchasing this sword

http://www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/eCat/sharpened_sticklestad_viking_sword.aspx

But I am confused as to if I can purchase it online(i.e. is it legal?), and get it shipped to my house?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Hauk

Hobbes

Well you can't import dangerous weapons without a license and with the recent amnesty over knifes/guns/etc it is possible you wouldn't be allowed import this.

Overheal

Crap, I was just about to say that I would head down to your local Station and talk to them about it: never know, you may have to apply for some kind of liscence, and they will have forms for that handy, Im sure

The_Minister

I asked the guy in Pagoda, in Dun Laoire (they sell Gurker knieves and Samuri swords, or they used to anyway, don't know if they still do) a while back. He said that he was very surprised when he found that he didn't need a license for import or selling. The situation may have changed, but you there used to be no problem. I have a friend who has seven of those Japanese blade swords, and that was grand.

EDIT: Japanese blade swords = Katana, knew that I'd remember.
2nd EDIT: I have all this second-hand, I'd say just ask in a Garda station.

Hauk

Okey dokey! Thanks for the info folks. I'll head down to the local station soon.

Cheers,

Hauk

civdef

No licencing requirements exist for swords.

Sparks

1990 Firearms and Offensive Weapons act says you can't carry one in a public place. Apart from that, I can't find anything to say they're illegal to buy or own. And since several martial arts legitimately use them for training, and since they're openly sold from Mary street to Stephen's Green...

Maximilian

Why not fashion your own from tinfoil? Safe, cheap & inherently legal.

Honestly, wtf do you need a sword for? Is it the case that there can, unfortunately, be only one or do you just think that they're cool?

The sword is about as tacky as it gets btw. I hope you don't intend hanging it above your fireplace.

Did someone offend you to the extent that you now demand satisfaction?

The Lord of the Rings was a great movie but its fantasy mate. If you also own a cloak, its time to seek help.

Sparks

Honestly, wtf do you need a sword for?

http://www.iaido.ie/



Like I said, legitimate martial arts use them for training.

Maximilian

What is it some kind of MC Hammer fan club?

Sparks

You could make jokes, or you could click on that link and learn something. The choice is yours.

Maximilian

I'll just make jokes thanks. Ok, they're filled with helium. BlimpPants. Trying to re-create the Crouching Tiger effect.

What kills me is the top left of the photo. So you can attack each other with swords. Fine.

But no smoking, its bad for your health.

Sparks

I'll just make jokes thanks.

Grand so. Have fun.

Hauk

Again you give me great information Sparks! :P Thanks for the info man.

And Maximilian, when was the last time you got laid?

Thanks Sparks!

Hauk

Sparks

No worries Hauk, it's nice to be able to help.

Maximilian

Hauk, I'll buy a sword. What woman will be able to resist me.

Thirdfox

Tai Chi martial sword style also requires a sword (you would think that looking at the name)... Please do not think that all swords are weapons of war - Tai Chi is inherently a relaxation activity, nothing unwholesome whatsoever - so yes it is much better than smoking.

Thirdfox

Just wondering Sparks, what if you practise Tai Chi in an open area? In China it's widely done... the sword is blunted and very thin (flimsy almost )...

civdef

The wording of Section 9 of the Firearms & Offensive Weapons Act 1990 is as follows:

9.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), where a person has with him in any public place any knife or any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed, he shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that he had good reason or lawful authority for having the article with him in a public place.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), it shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that he had the article with him for use at work or for a recreational purpose.

The section goes on a bit more, but the essential bits for the purpose of this thread are above.

Thirdfox

Are keyring swiss army knifes included in this Act (it would appear from the wording that this is the case)... so carrying a keyring swiss army knife is illegal? (Also scissors perhaps?)

Lynfo

I bought a sword online and had no hassle getting it delivered here, also bought one when I was in Scotland and just had to check it thru separately to my luggage - but no hassles here either.

Sparks

Thirdfox wrote:

Are keyring swiss army knifes included in this Act (it would appear from the wording that this is the case)... so carrying a keyring swiss army knife is illegal? (Also scissors perhaps?)

Depends on the context. Coming up from the riverbank with a rod and tacklebox and a knife on your belt? It's a tool for sporting use. Walking into a disco with the same knife on your belt? It's an offensive weapon.

walrusgumble

i remember last year there was a clip form rte news about an garda síochána holding a recruitment day for non nationals (who will soon naturalise or seeks citizenship).

any way there was one girl, not sure of her ethinic background, who has a tradition of keeping a sword/dagger as protection. they were concerned bout issues like would such gardai be allowed to retain personal items like shawls etc (sorry for being flipant) and other items whilst in uniform.

anyway i take it they will be prevented from carrying weapons too. (again sorry this wasnt well thought out)

Sparks

a tradition of keeping a sword/dagger

Sikhs?
Thing is, the kirpan is often very small, as in crucifix size (because that's what it is, to a sikh). From a sikh website:

The Kirpan (ceremonial sword) worn by followers of the Sikh religion sometimes raises questions or concerns among people who are unfamiliar with the religion or it's tenants. The Kirpan is an ingrained part of the Sikh religion and is in many ways it’s religious symbolism is similar to the Cross in Christianity. Just as a Cross is worn be devout Christians, baptized Sikhs are required to wear the Kirpan. The Kirpan is no more symbolic a weapons than the Christian Cross is symbolic of a torture instrument.

crazy chester

Just curious to see if anything has changed in legislation to do with this thread since it was posted in 2006?

MagicSean

crazy chester wrote: »

Just curious to see if anything has changed in legislation to do with this thread since it was posted in 2006?

Well the penalties have gone up.

Eathrin

I'm interested in buying a sword, katana preferably.
Where could I buy one and if not in Ireland can they be imported?

BornToKill

Katanas are complicated. The laws changed in 2009. See answer 14.

Eathrin

BornToKill wrote: »

Katanas are complicated. The laws changed in 2009. See answer 14.

Is it possible that because I just want a blunt katana for decorative purposes that it may not come under "offensive weapons"?
Though any website I've looked at seems to exclusively sell sharp katanas.

Eathrin

http://www.reliks.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=5062

Can anybody clarify whether such an item would be stopped at customs?

Tigger

in my recent experiance

you can import a high quality collectors sword probably needs to be handmade (you need to clarify with the dept of justice in advance)

or if you need one for sport (again check with the dept of justice) you cant have a cheapo wallhanger

this applies to samruai swords sword sticks and some other swords

Eathrin

Tigger wrote: »

in my recent experiance

you can import a high quality collectors sword probably needs to be handmade (you need to clarify with the dept of justice in advance)

or if you need one for sport (again check with the dept of justice) you cant have a cheapo wallhanger

this applies to samruai swords sword sticks and some other swords

I'll get on to the dept. then, thanks.
I would have figured it might have been allowed seeing as it's not really a weapon.

seamus

Eathrin wrote: »

I'll get on to the dept. then, thanks.
I would have figured it might have been allowed seeing as it's not really a weapon.

My suspicion in the case of the sword you've linked is that they would still consider it to be an offensive weapon because blunt or not you could still cause serious injury with it - especially the tip. I've a friend who has a similar sword at home, and while the blade is blunt, you could easily break some bones if you swung it and the tip is easily sharp enough to stab someone with.

Procrastastudy

This thread reminded me of this sorry it doesn't get relevant until about half way through.

Eathrin

seamus wrote: »

My suspicion in the case of the sword you've linked is that they would still consider it to be an offensive weapon because blunt or not you could still cause serious injury with it - especially the tip. I've a friend who has a similar sword at home, and while the blade is blunt, you could easily break some bones if you swung it and the tip is easily sharp enough to stab someone with.

Which in fairness is silly. There's a skip down my road, and I'm sure I could find even more dangerous "weapons" in it. I don't need to order a display sword from Canada in order to hurt somebody. I would even understand if it was sharp.

BornToKill

Eathrin wrote: »

I'll get on to the dept. then, thanks.
I would have figured it might have been allowed seeing as it's not really a weapon.

Eathrin wrote: »

... I would even understand if it was sharp.

Maybe I'm missing something but the ad itself describes this sword as a weapon and I don't see it being referred to as blunt anywhere. In my opinion, and with no slight intended to anyone here, it is exactly these $50 wall-hangers that the 2009 legislation was intended to address.

This thing is the worst of all worlds - it is potentially deadly but bears as much relation to Bushido and samurai teachings as my Samsung TV.

Eathrin

BornToKill wrote: »

Maybe I'm missing something but the ad itself describes this sword as a weapon and I don't see it being referred to as blunt anywhere. In my opinion, and with no slight intended to anyone here, it is exactly these $50 wall-hangers that the 2009 legislation was intended to address.

This thing is the worst of all worlds - it is potentially deadly but bears as much relation to Bushido and samurai teachings as my Samsung TV.

Here is the foreword, though it doesn't explicitly state blunt

These Japanese display swords are an excellent economical solution for decorating your home. They are available in an array of colours that will work for any Japanese theme. If you are a fan of Japanese culture, samurai warriors, swords and katana's or kung fu movies this is a great inexpensive way to bring an exciting centerpiece to your home.

I would have thought a sharp sword would cost more to produce anyway, hence the relatively low price.

Is it really a crime to want to decorate a room with a display sword? Okay, I don't study the martial art, I'm not of Japanese heritage, but I'm interested in their culture and I don't have buckets to spend.

I do understand where the law is coming from. But surely barring the import of more dangerous weapons without a valid use would be enough.
I honestly don't think a bit of metal on a handle poses more harm to others around me than my kitchen knife.
Or is it specifically to counteract cosplay loonies on the street?

BornToKill

Eathrin wrote: »

... Is it really a crime to want to decorate a room with a display sword?

No it isn't. It is, however, a criminal offence to import a katana other than those for which the 2009 SI makes an exception i.e. pre-1954 or handmade. Please let us know what the Department tells you out of interest.

Uriel.

In a lot of ways I am glad of the change of law on this.

I brought in a replica officer's sword from the America Civil War in around 2007.
Ordered online no bother.
When it arrived in the Port I got a phone call from FedEx wanting to know if there were any legal issues regarding its import before they delivered it.

I hadn't a clue at the time. Rang Customs and Excise (I think) and spoke to a girl over the phone and was a really interesting conversation. I had to describe the sword. In the end she just said "look if you were to carry it down O'Connell Street in Dublin would people see it and know what it is". Me: "Yeah, sure it's about 3 foot long" - her: "Grand as long as it can't be easily concealed you are ok"

Rang Fedex me: "yeah Customs says it's cool" Fedex: "grand we will deliver it tomorrow"

Way too easy if you ask me.

At the same time, I do have sympathy for collectors of such items, as usual, it is a minority of people who ruin it for the rest.

BornToKill

Uriel. wrote: »

At the same time, I do have sympathy for collectors of such items, as usual, it is a minority of people who ruin it for the rest.

Collectors can still collect - the exceptions are specifically designed for them. No collector wants a cheap Chinese-made copy.

BornToKill

Eathrin wrote: »

Okay, I don't study the martial art, I'm not of Japanese heritage, but I'm interested in their culture and I don't have buckets to spend.

Have you considered a bonsai tree?

Eathrin

BornToKill wrote: »

Have you considered a bonsai tree?

:rolleyes:
Yes at a matter of fact I like them too, however I don't think I'd have the same problems in acquiring one.
I haven't contacted anyone just yet, but I will do in the near future regarding the decorative katana.

Finnbar01

Can you not buy samuri swords down in Argos?
I think you get three and a nice display stand as well.

yelofmail

I have an antique takouba with a bunch of other possessions I wanted to repatriate from the USA. The shipping company refused to send it because they were not aware of the Irish regulations.
1. Where can I find the Irish regulations governing this kind of thing.
2. Who must I contact in order to receive whatever license I need.
Thanks.

Carter P Fly

Ring the Customs and excise people in the revenue, They will answer your Q's

With regards to the katana Question its is sword like this sitting in peoples livingrooms that got them banned. Theyre stainless steel sharp objects that are only cosmetically swords in less of a way that a BB gun is a military grade gun.

I have several swords which I collect for historical interest and none are on display in the livingroom and can say importing swords that are not katanas is easy.

BornToKill

yelofmail wrote: »

I have an antique takouba with a bunch of other possessions I wanted to repatriate from the USA. The shipping company refused to send it because they were not aware of the Irish regulations.
1. Where can I find the Irish regulations governing this kind of thing.
2. Who must I contact in order to receive whatever license I need.
Thanks.

Answers 14 & 15 have all that information.