Another from the "No shit, Sherlock!" file...

www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20050313105508558C713318

Battle axes and batons are replacing guns

   Jani Meyer
   March 13 2005 at 12:08PM

Battle axes, batons and plastic bullet guns are just some of the alternatives to firearms that people are snapping up to try to improve their safety.

This is since the Firearms Control Act of 2000 clamped down on the number of guns one person can own. For self-defence only, one firearm is allowed. Hunters or sports shooting enthusiasts may own as many as four firearms.

However, applying for a licence has become much more difficult, with hardly any licences having been granted in the past year.

So gun dealers are branching out into other types of weaponry such as knifes, swords, bows and traditional weapons like battle axes and knobkieries. Although gun dealers said customers were looking at other ways to protect themselves and their properties, they were not into "weird or complicated" weapons.

Some opted for realistic "toy guns" to act as a deterrent or a crossbow to keep their property safe. BB guns are becoming increasingly popular and look like the real thing. As a "toy", it is not illegal to own and the sting from the plastic bullet might give one enough time to get away from an attacker.

Among the more unusual self-defence weapons being bought are "kish batons". These are mostly used by nightclub bouncers. The owner of Durban Guns & Ammo, Justin Willmers, said even elderly women were buying the baton because it did not require a lot of power to use. Another favourite was pepper spray.

Knives might be favoured by gangsters, but in general law-abiding people do not like to carry them. Willmers said an attacker had to get too close before a knife could be used effectively.

There are no laws preventing people from buying potentially dangerous weapons ranging from gleaming machetes and two-metre-long swords to crossbows with enough power to kill a 500kg animal, or traditional weapons like spears and battle axes. An air rifle or pellet gun can also be lethal if a lead pellet is used.

However, there are laws regarding dangerous weapons, and the Criminal Procedures Act allows the police to confiscate dangerous weapons or implements suspected of being used in the execution of a crime or that could be used in crime.

Pumza Makanya, the provincial head of the South African Police Service's legal department, said there were categories of weapons, but nothing banning ownership.

"It is up to the individual to explain the purpose of the object he or she is carrying," said Makanya, adding that special permission had to be granted by the commissioner of police for the carrying of traditional weapons at public meetings.

Not unexpected there.  Coworkers nephew got hit in the head with a brack in Canada when they robbed him

Quoted: Knives might be favoured by gangsters, but in general law-abiding people do not like to carry them.

mmk...

It's for the best.

Quoted: Not unexpected there.  Coworkers nephew got hit in the head with a brack in Canada when they robbed him

What is a brack?

Quoted: Quoted: Not unexpected there.  Coworkers nephew got hit in the head with a brack in Canada when they robbed him What is a brack?

Its like a Brick but alot more polite and it has Socialized medicine,you know.

CANADIAN