To do or not to do

[bubba]

ah, but you're forgetting the point. the idea of the law is protect those who are not trained or armed. then the idea is that the responsibility of protection becomes that of the civil authorities. so then it follows that ordinary people don't have to arm themselves to protect themselves.

Interesting thing is the police simply can't uphold their end of the deal but demand we stick closely to it. In the US a while back the Supreme Court ruled that police have no obligation to protect any individual. This society is insane and suicidal.

[Archangel]

Interesting thing is the police simply can't uphold their end of the deal but demand we stick closely to it. In the US a while back the Supreme Court ruled that police have no obligation to protect any individual. This society is insane and suicidal.

I'm pretty sure that the Canadian gov't still holds that they are responsible for protection.
I'm more familiar with defence issues. The Canadian ruling is that one must be able to demonstrate that (a) one tried to call the authorities or (b) had no opportunity to call or (c) called and was unable to wait for their arrival. If those conditions are satisfied then one may be able to claim a legal position of self-defence. There's also a limitation on the degree of force one can use, enough to stop the attack. There is another position which is not used as often but it's a better legal defence: enough force to stop a continuing attack. That one allows an incapacitating, Dreadbelly, type response. Most self-defence instructors do not distinguish the two legal positions. My classes teach the students to never say to the police that they had a knife, they had a cutting tool, and that the situation was a continuing attack. The students have never had to go to court even though several have had to use the skills. My proudest was a young lady who knocked the first guy out and scarred the second so that all the police had to do was hit the bars and find the scarred and get them both. That was within an hour of being shown the technique.

....but we're way off the thread here.

[James]

There seems to be a split debate here: part about such things as self defence and the 'right' to bear arms, and the other which is to my mind more important-the ability to dress in accord with our highland heritage as a clansman.

Here it might be hard to justify a skean dhu with say one of the modern variant kilts such as the Utilikilt. Or if wearing the kilt in the modern idiom with say roled down socks, boots and T-shirt. However if attending a highland event, and dressed as a highlander: then everything possible should be done to preserve that highland heritage, and that means dressing fully in the way of the highlander.

The alternative is yet another erosion of our liberties!

What next-knees to be covered for fear of offending people by our lack of modesty, or inflaming unwanted passions in middle aged ladies?

A few weeks ago I did in fact sit opposite a couple of uniformed [on duty] policemen whilst on the underground-and my skean dhu must have been obvious to them-yet nothing at all was said.

James

[Archangel]

There seems to be a split debate here: part about such things as self defence and the 'right' to bear arms, and the other which is to my mind more important-the ability to dress in accord with our highland heritage as a clansman.

Here it might be hard to justify a skean dhu with say one of the modern variant kilts such as the Utilikilt. Or if wearing the kilt in the modern idiom with say roled down socks, boots and T-shirt. However if attending a highland event, and dressed as a highlander: then everything possible should be done to preserve that highland heritage, and that means dressing fully in the way of the highlander.

The alternative is yet another erosion of our liberties!

What next-knees to be covered for fear of offending people by our lack of modesty, or inflaming unwanted passions in middle aged ladies?

A few weeks ago I did in fact sit opposite a couple of uniformed [on duty] policemen whilst on the underground-and my skean dhu must have been obvious to them-yet nothing at all was said.

James

you're right, the thread was going sideways.

A few years ago, the nice old lady across the street took my wife aside to talk to her about me wearing short sleeves. Apparently her denomination teaches that men's elbows inflame women. Go figure!?!

Your experience is probably the best answer so far.

[Dreadbelly]

Elbows inflame women?

My God, what would they do if they saw (GASP) an armpit?

Quick, somebody go get me a stout length of hickory. An axe handle will do. Somebody has to do something about the whole "stupid people are breeding" problem.

Crap like this makes my head hurt.

[Archangel]

Elbows inflame women?

My God, what would they do if they saw (GASP) an armpit?

Quick, somebody go get me a stout length of hickory. An axe handle will do. Somebody has to do something about the whole "stupid people are breeding" problem.

Crap like this makes my head hurt.

you're doing that violent talk thing again...deep breaths: in - grass is green, out - sky is blue; repeat.

sheepdog has to protect silly people too, it's in the rules.

we're off the thread again.

(respect and peace, goodnight)

[Streetcar]

First, to the original thread -
I believe Hamish once mentioned a "mock" skein dhu, consisting of a handle and a round, plastic, unsharpenable "blade."

Now that I think about it, I seem to recall a story (probably an urban myth) about some Scots tattooing a picture of a skein dhu to their calves, as they were unable to legally carry the real thing. (No I can't quote the story, so don't ask where it came from. I have no idea if there's even a shred of truth to it.)

Second, to the legal aspect and a law enforcement stance -
In my jurisdiction, it is illegal to carry a fixed blade knife of ANY length. Silly law? Yes. But at the same time, if you're not out waving the damn thing around, very few cops are likely to care if you have one. Personally, I would be very hesitant to charge someone who used any type of weapon in a legitimate self-defense situation.

Now throw in the dynamic of a parade/protest/public gathering etc. I can guarantee that no cop in his right mind will want to wade into a group of people to try and seize what is essentially a sharpened letter opener. They'll be much more concerned with crowd control, and keeping things orderly.

I understand that English Law has become exceptionally restrictive towards knives, but I would follow Riverkilt's advice - talk to a local cop (or two). Good luck, and I'll be interested to hear what you decided.