We received a petition asking:
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to allow Belly and Tribal Dancers to retain access to swords for dancing under the VCR Bill.”
Details of Petition:
“Belly and Tribal dancers in the UK are covered in the VCR (Violent Crimes Reduction Bill) which means that we will no longer be able to purchase swords for dancing. As Belly dancers, we are not covered in the exemptions of being classed as a ’sporting activity’ or a Historical re-enactment. While we can perform with our existing swords, if you have public liability insurance. You can no longer purchase a new blade. This is scary thought, as if we are not included in the exclusions to the ban, the art form of sword dancing will ultimately die out in the UK! The only way we can get this changed for all belly dancers is to contact the home office and request that as a dance form that we are allowed to continue to be allowed to purchase swords, so that we can continue with a beautiful art form. Please take the time to sign this petition to register your concern.”
· Read the petition
· Petitions homepage
Read the Government’s response
The Government has banned the sale, hire, manufacture and import of all swords with a curved blade of 50cm or over in length (including samurai swords) to reduce the availability of items that have and can be used in violent crime due to their use in violent crime. The ban came into force on 6 April 2008 having received Parliamentary approval following unanimous support in the Commons and the Lords. The ban does not affect the possession in public of swords already owned before the ban came into force where an individual has ‘good reason’ to possess such a weapon. The decision as to whether the possession of swords used in tribal and belly dancing would be permitted is ultimately a matter for the courts.
Section 43 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 introduced a defence for those supplying offensive weapons for TV, theatrical performances and film productions. This measure provides those companies and individuals who buy, sell and hire offensive weapons for film, television and theatre productions with a defence from prosecution. This came into force on 6 April 2008. Those who wish to buy a sword for belly dancing may wish to contact the trade union for artists and performers, Equity, for advice on whether they would be covered by this defence.
Please find the link below to the summary of responses paper and subsequent Orders laid before Parliament.
· http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-2007-ban-offensive-weapons/
· http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/pdf/uksi_20080973_en.pdf
· http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/draft/ukdsi_9780110817774_en_1
We do not propose, at present, to add any other articles to the Offensive Weapons Order, although policy on offensive weapons is constantly kept under review.
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