Sword Control

Fans of science fiction, anime, comics and medieval weaponry were wondering yesterday why one of the longest-running and most popular booths at the Canadian Comic Book Expo had disappeared.

"I was kind of looking forward to seeing those guys again," said Gary Loyst, who recalled a display from last year's Expo that featured tables stacked with swords, daggers, maces and war hammers. "I'd never seen weapons like that sold before."

That booth, run by American online weapons company SwordStaff.com, was in Toronto for a fifth year, but the display was shut down by Toronto Police just hours after opening Friday night. Its six operators ? including two Torontonians hired as extra help ? were arrested on multiple counts of possessing and selling prohibited weapons.

Staff Sergeant Richard Murdoch said police responded to a tip from an attendee and found several prohibited weapons for sale, such as throwing stars, one-handed crossbows, belt-buckle knives, push daggers and an easily concealed penknife.

Expo organizer Aman Gupta said yesterday the weapons were inspected and cleared by Canadian customs agents when they were brought in from the United States last week. "I never expected this," Petkovski said after his appearance yesterday. "They weren't even sharp. It was fans buying swords from their favourite movies and then someone complained ..."

Ooooh! Swords, double-edged knives, nunchakus, and a concealable penknife! Those are so very very very dangerous!

First Minister Jack McConnell has announced a five-point programme to clamp down on knife crime. The maximum jail term for possessing an offensive weapon will be doubled from two years to four under the proposals. He wants to ban the sale of swords and introduce a licensing scheme for retailers selling knives. He also announced plans to give police more powers of search and arrest and to increase the age limit for buying a knife from 16 to 18.

Somehow, I don't think that's going to accomplish anything.