Dave Page (dpage@dial.pipex.com)
Thu, 2 Dec 1999 09:53:57 -0000
-----Original Message-----
From: Pete James <peter.james1@virgin.net>
To: histrenact@novar.co.uk <histrenact@novar.co.uk>
Date: 02 December 1999 07:54
Subject: Re: [Histrenact] - MadMan Loose in London
>Dear All,
>
>Dave Page wrote a long letter explaining the legal position in the UK,
>and If I may I'll add just one point. Assuming you have re-enactment
>(blunt) weapons you can always tell any interested authorities that they
>are 'Stage Props'.
I have heard this argument raised for a number of years now, and whilst
there is perhaps an element of truth in calling it a 'theatircal prop' as we
are not really using a weapon as it was originally intended (i.e. causing
injury).
However, at a meeting where this was raised, a solicitor stated that this
could not be the case, as a sword is a sword, and by its very definition, it
is a weapon. Now unless you have a re-enactment aware constable who can see
your point of view that you are not going to be injuring peeople, but
staging combat, I can't see this coming off personally.
As I said in my last post, as long as we don't merrily walk down our local
high street carrying a weapon openly, there isn't going to be any problem.
The legislation is already there to restrict the carrying of weapons without
good reason or lawful authority, and I don't think anymore will be
introduced that would seriously affect out hobby.
>Of course that still won't get you past the 'offensive weapon' bit but
>you can try.
Therein lies the problem. If they can't get you one way, there is usually
another.
You do not have to say anything etc.
Cheers
Dave Page
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