[Staillateno]

There has been a couple of times when I was walking to Kumdo to be stopped by the police that were suspicious of the long sword shaped objects I was carrying (they were in a bag..) and asked about them. I just cooperate and tell them the situation and that I'm on my way to practice, once I got a free ride from a cop ^_^ But still, i'd rather just be able to flash a licence and be on my merry way. Can you get a sword licence in the U.S? Or in Georgia more specifically? I've done my fair share of searching online and I dont come up with much at all.
If you could tell me how to do this or who i can call to find out that would be greatly appreciated. Any information at all would be greatly appreciated actually ^_^

[scemHeish]

I think this has been discussed before. Not 100% sure what the final result was, but I believe that the final answer came out to no, you don't need one in the US. Just to clarify, are we talking about shinai and bokuto, or iaito and shinken?

[Kneeniasy]

once I got a free ride from a cop ^_^

Unless I got arrested with Miranda Rights being read, I'd be a bit leery of that "free ride"

[ZZipZZipe]

I think this has been discussed before. Not 100% sure what the final result was, but I believe that the final answer came out to no, you don't need one in the US. Just to clarify, are we talking about shinai and bokuto, or iaito and shinken?

I'm talking more along the lines of iaito and shinken.

And to Dervish, I suppose he'd rather take me to practice himself (which was only about a mile and a half down the road) than have me walking through public places with swords. Your non-sword weilding civilians dont usually take such things well....especially not in wal-mart

[Jeaxatoem]

And to Dervish, I suppose he'd rather take me to practice himself (which was only about a mile and a half down the road) than have me walking through public places with swords. Your non-sword weilding civilians dont usually take such things well....especially not in wal-mart

If we went to the same dojo, no problem!

[Pdarassenko]

But still, i'd rather just be able to flash a licence and be on my merry way. Can you get a sword licence in the U.S? Or in Georgia more specifically? ^_^

Whoa !! don't go jumping down THAT slippery slope.

Once a licence is available it soon becomes mandatory, costly, and hard to get.

I live in NJ where the constitutional 'right' to keep and bear arms has long gone.
Now you need a Federal and State fingerprint check - 6 months
A State mental health check - variable ~ 3 months
2 references not related to you to complete and return questionaires about you.
and fees to be paid for the fingerprinting and the police checks.

If you move house, you have 30 days to notify police of the new address and re-apply for the permit (yes, better keep a photocopy of the old one for the 6 months you are waiting for the new one).

Licences - be careful what you wish for.

[Cyclicymn]

I'm talking more along the lines of iaito and shinken.

And to Dervish, I suppose he'd rather take me to practice himself (which was only about a mile and a half down the road) than have me walking through public places with swords. Your non-sword weilding civilians dont usually take such things well....especially not in wal-mart

It's also a good way to verify that you were really on your way to your dojo.

[avaicavum]

In the U.S. weapons licensing are a combination of federal, state and local laws. Tell you what I'd do.. .next time you're stopped ask the gentleman that stops you if there's some paperwork you could get that would make both their life and your life easier... now having the4 paperwork would, in my guess not 'help'. If I'm the officer in question as long as I've got you stopped I'll want to make sure you're carrying what you say you are.
So my advice: Put up with it and use the opportunity to educate the officer about kendo. Who knows s/he may show up or talk about it back at the station and help swell your membership... or if not at least the other officers will get to know what this is about and your life will become slowly easier.

[praboobolbode]

There has been a couple of times when I was walking to Kumdo to be stopped by the police that were suspicious of the long sword shaped objects I was carrying (they were in a bag..) and asked about them.

Just a though... If you are regularly being stoped by police because you look suspicious, you also might consider whether you can change your overall demeaner and dress while you are walking to kumdo with a sword. These are strange times

[NarhozNic]

i think it varies by city..because in my city any knife with the blade longer then 4 inches.. is considered illegal..and also no butterflies knives are legal either..(unless it is just in your home for decoration)

[GoveMoony]

Just a though... If you are regularly being stoped by police because you look suspicious, you also might consider whether you can change your overall demeaner and dress while you are walking to kumdo with a sword. These are strange times

It's not a regular thing, there's been a couple instances though. I walk in uniform to give off the impression that something martial art-esque is involved and it's a good 3 mile walk down a major road, so it's pretty hard to miss me. Once while waiting to cross the street the guy in the car closest to me rolled down his window and asked if those were swords I was carrying, I replied yes and told him where my dojang was and that's all i could get out before he had a chance to make a turn.

[yK2VgoEI]

Unless I got arrested with Miranda Rights being read, I'd be a bit leery of that "free ride"

It would be better not to have that rights read in that situation. That way, if he does arrest you and take you to jail, he'll get fired, and nothing he says in court well hold up.

[stunnyravytal]

I walk in uniform to give off the impression that something martial art-esque is involved and it's a good 3 mile walk down a major road, so it's pretty hard to miss me.

And you still can't quite figure out why you are being stopped by the police?

[MicoSiru]

It's not a regular thing... I walk in uniform... a good 3 mile...so it's pretty hard to miss me.

Consider the view of the common person who doesn't do know you or what you do. Would it not be odd? I would wonder is the person delusional, doing some martial, or just being silly? Most likely, the cops know you now, but still think you're crazy.

If you really want to cut down on the attention, consider changing at the dojang to cut down on the perception challenge or wear a billboard for the dojang. Licensing opens a whole new dimension of difficulty, like restricted transport laws and locked hard cases...