Australia ?

[Moose63845]

Ok all of you Australia guys, I have a question for you. Is it true that they are outlawing/regulating laser pointers and swords? I read resently that they are working on some regulations for swords, and there are some laws against laser pointers. Can you all clearafy for me please.

[oscarmitre]

Moose - seven separate state/territory jurisdictions plus the federal jurisdiction.

The legislation covering this in my jurisdiction can be found here

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/s...act/fa1977102/

and here

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/s...53189/s15.html

It would be just as complex in the other jurisdictions.

[Edicius]

Wow, laser pointers, what a threat to the public. And you know all the criminals you see runnning around with ninja swords. Thank goodness your government is there to protect it's citizens.

[oscarmitre]

Wow, laser pointers, what a threat to the public. And you know all the criminals you see runnning around with ninja swords. Thank goodness your government is there to protect it's citizens.

Laser pointers are fine if they are used properly, our law has no problems with that. However we have had instances of people who were using them in nightclubs and directing them into the eyes of people on the dance floor, which is pretty stupid.

And of course our governments govern by consent. Our citizens appreciate the proper control of weapons of all varieties.

But still just the other night a police officer in another state was forced to shoot dead a man who attacked two police officers. He was armed with two samurai swords.

You have to understand that our culture doesn't put store on weapons. We don't feel the need to be armed to protect ourselves because we have a relatively peaceful society. Not perfect by any means but as I said, relatively peaceful.

[HiTech]

Wow, laser pointers, what a threat to the public. And you know all the criminals you see runnning around with ninja swords. Thank goodness your government is there to protect it's citizens.

Educius,

You make light of what the politicians stupidly do. In California they outlawed shurikens (throwing stars) and nunchucks after the first wave of kung fu movies played in the '70's.

I don't believe I have ever handled a robbery or an assault that involved a shuriken, but it is now a Felony to possess one because some elected idiot decided that movies proved them to be a danger to the public.

[Moose63845]

Is it true that several knives such as butcher, or steak knives, etc. could be considered "swords" due to the wording of the law or am I mistaken?