Cold Dead Fingers, Bobby!

From the BBC, there's news of a "Ban on imitation Samurai swords" in the UK:

Imitation Samurai swords are to be banned after a spate of attacks in the UK, say ministers.

The Home Office has confirmed plans to outlaw the weapons in England and Wales after putting forward the idea earlier this year.

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said there was a clear danger to the public posed by easily-available swords.

By "imitation," they don't mean foam rubber: they mean anything apart from "genuine Samurai swords." The article is a big vague on what defines a "genuine Samurai sword," though this may be a hint: "[G]enuine collectors such as museums will still be able to trade in the weapons..." It would seem, then, that a "genuine" katana is a historical artifact, not just a really well-made (and expensive) one, and a "genuine collector" is a museum. In other words, "We aren't banning samurai swords totally: museums can own them as historical artifacts." What will happen to lesser collectors, hobbyists, martial artists, and fanboys remains to be seen.

AN AFTERTHOUGHT: In defense of its position, Vernon Coaker, a Home Office minister, declares, "In the wrong hands, samurai swords are dangerous weapons."

Me, I'd be more concerned about a samurai sword in the right hands.