lethal weapons

[moyashi]

Here's an extension on a thread that talked about guns.

I was talking with my father-in-law and he said that rifles, shot-guns and pistols are perfectly legal in Japan. Apparently, the registration is pretty rigid but not too outrageous.

The big catch is that you are suspect to constant monthly/bi-monthly inspections and your bullet count is audited much like your taxes would be.

I bet that katanas are also in a similar category.

[samuraitora]

I heard that katanas are not really audited but they are tracked and registered.

[thomas]

Compared to the US, Europe is pretty restrictive in arms possession. There are several categories of licenses, usually you're not allowed to carry a loaded gun. There are of course exceptions for hunters etc. Just last week a professional hunter shot a young Austrian conscript he mistook for a boar. The unfortunate chap died on the spot.