NSW: Samurai swords under review for banned list, says Watkins

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2004
NSW: Samurai swords under review for banned list, says Watkins

The New South Wales government is considering banning samurai swords and machetes,
saying such weapons have been used by criminals in violent assaults.

The state government has announced a review of prohibited weapons and says it has destroyed
30 tonnes of weapons since a NSW gun amnesty was introduced last October.

New South Wales Police Minister JOHN WATKINS says the five-yearly full review of the
state's prohibited weapons law will include possible additions.

Mr WATKINS says he wants the review to consider whether swords, including samurai swords,
medieval blades and machetes, should also be banned.

While it was illegal to carry swords under the New South Wales knife possession laws,
it is not illegal to own, buy or sell them.

AAP RTV mk/wz

KEYWORD: WEAPONS (SYDNEY)

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