Posted on 08/15/2006 3:07:08 PM PDT by grundle
All Things Considered, August 14, 2006 · In an effort to reduce the stabbings and slashings that stem from the country's "booze and blade" culture, Scotland is cracking down on the sale of swords, machetes, meat cleavers and other knifes. Knife violence accounts for almost half of the homicides in Scotland each year.
Ugh. I mean, how can one do proper bagpipe maintenance without a sharp sgian dubh?
We weren't -- we're on the opposite side of the country and were at the Pacific Northwest Highland Games (fka "The Seattle Games"). But I like the the idea of Clan FReeper gatherings!!
Our slogan in Scots Gaelic: Poblachd Saorsa! (A Free Republic!)
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I was thinking Clan MacFreeper might be better Sons of Liberty and all
Now I'm wondering exactly what Drill Sgt. McCracken meant when he'd flip on the lights at 0 dark thirty and yell "Awright, put it in yer sock, on yer feet, let's go!"
include me with the rest of my fellow Scottish-Americans. [Hey, if others can be hyphenated, why can't we?]
Well, the carrying of knives with the intent to commit a crime is illegal in Scotland. The law is set up so that if a person has on their person a knife of similar object, they are arrested and charged. It is the equivalent of a felony offense.
The onus to prove the knife was not intended for use in criminal activity is on the accused at trial. In other words the accused must prove a lack of criminal purpose in possessing the knife on his person.
Also the knife law has an exemption for those who wear Scottish national dress, i.e. a kilt. If you wear a kilt you can wear all the knives and swords you want.
I did last summer, wore my kilt and 14 inch dirk and a sgian dubgh everyday. I had no problems with any violence or attempted assaults.
This is a pic of my dirk, Overall-21". Blade-14 7/8" long, 1 7/16" wide. Wt.-1 lb. :
BTW it is becoming very difficult to purchase long knives in Scotland. This is accomplished by making the retailers of cutlery jump through hoops to stay in business.If you want to take gifts to Scotland, good knives are as good a gift as any.
Here is an article that puts a face on the problem:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3750568.stm ( Oct 17 2004)
Stabbings 'a public health issue'
Thousands of stabbings take place every year Knife crime in the west of Scotland should be treated as a public health issue like heart disease or cancer, according to a leading doctor. Last year there were more than 9,000 violent incidents in the Strathclyde area.
Andrew Murday, director of the Scottish Heart Transplant Unit, said the issue has to be reviewed. Mr Murday said knife crime was a public health priority which the health board should look at.
He told BBC Radio's Sunday Live programme: "If people realised that your chances of being murdered in Glasgow were twice as high as they are in London then people would hopefully begin to talk about it.
"We hope that the Greater Glasgow NHS, the health board, might consider taking up the issue of violence as a specific targeted area for public health efforts."
Sword attacks
He added: "You're talking about thousands of people affected each year, just in Glasgow alone."
Mr Murday is calling for a multi-agency approach involving police, religious groups, community groups and a full debate on knife carrying and its effects. Last year Strathclyde Police found nearly 3,000 blades being carried illegally in a public place.
Rudy Crawford, an A&E consultant at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, said: "People carry all sorts of weapons, some of them quite horrific, ranging from small pocket knives that they think can't inflict a fatal injury, which is entirely wrong, up to machetes, bayonets, swords.
"Swords are actually fairly popular and I think we in the west of Scotland, and in Glasgow in particular, probably see more sword injuries than anywhere else in the UK or even Europe for that matter."
Och, Aye, the Sassanachs have cum oop with thas, fur which wee bladies are no longer required:
Thoose who cut not their ain meat are too quick to cut their fellow man.
And a man can hoop,daylight will peep through a small hole.
It is better to sup with a cutty than want a spoon.
Its good as you say.
I think "Huber" was at Grandfather Mountain, and also "Loch Norman."
My family is talking about going to Waxhaw's Scottish Games this October, depending on how our Life is going :-).
Don't I wish....
I just learned something - the sgian dubh is a cute little thing.
… the safe sgian dubh - i.e. one without a blade.
That is this skine dugh (Spelling?) in the sock. The dirk is carried on the belt.
Just noticed your comment, I keep the .45 next to mah gun.
Add me to the list lad/lassie. The Missus and meself make the games in Arlington, Texas every year. I'm good friend's with the Chief of Clan Ross, Hugh and his brother Albert. We also support the Southwest Celtic Music Association and their big get together at Fair Park every year.
All food served in Scotland will be pureed from now on so all knives will be eliminated.
Arlen Specter will be pleased.
He will copy the law for use in the USA immediatly
(/s)
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