I've tried to post this a few times, but kept messing up or being interrupted. A wiser/less stubborn man might give it up and write it off as fate intervening...but, on to my point.
California has just outlawed "plastic knuckles" for the article go here:
http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Storie...819165,00.html
Anyway, am I the only one who feels this to be either pointless or a dangerous precendent? The fear is that these plastic knuckles will get past airport security and aid terrorists. What's going to stop some enterprising company from simply changing materials again? Hard wood, shatterproof glass, hardened rubber? And when each of these is outlawed in turn what's to stop a slight variation in "knuckle" design? Making the preferred point of impact the palm, or heel of the hand? My point is, you'll never be able to CONTROL what weapons people can purchase with such specific laws. You'd have to pass a general ban on things that could be carried in a concealed manner. How much work would it be to replace the steel in the following weapons (all of which I found for sale by clicking on the banner on top of the page) with something that can get past a metal detector? Or simply to design them from the outset with no metal...not that the BRASS knuckles are legal in California.
Whip chain, yawara, manriki chain, iron fan, flying weight, rope dart, meteor hammer...? I feel it's naive to assume the martial community won't be impacted by poorly thought out laws like this one in the future.
And STILL there's been no ban on box cutters, which...as I understand it...was the primary weapon used by the terrorists on 9/11.
It's either ridiculous, or small steps toward more restrictions...neither of which should be tolerated.
Any thoughts, comments, arguments or insights are welcome and appreciated.