Legal Aspect of Selling Samurai Swords on the Internet

On a popular website, there is a video of him smashing multiple plastic bottles in one shot, under a samurai sword, which is sold for 849 liras. In another advertisement, it is seen that it is written that both sides of the sword are sharpened with care, regardless of age or who the buyer is. products are easily sold.

In the Law No. 6136 on Firearms, Knives and Other Tools, it is stated that “It is forbidden to bring, make, sell, buy, transport or keep firearms and bullets and other tools specially made with knives to be used only in attack and defense”. With the amendment made to the Law in 1979, the following additions are made by counting the names of the guns one by one: Wedge, dagger, attack, skewered cane, jackknife, machete, sword, bayonet, bayonet, pointed and grooved knives, mace, mace whip, choke wire or chain, It is forbidden to manufacture, sell, buy, transport and keep similar tools with brass knuckles for use only in attack and defense.

Lawyer Oktay Keskin said that swords and similar knives are weapons of grave nature, and that there were dozens of judgments in the trials that even knives were considered a weapon of grave quality. Oktay Keskin comments on the sale of swords as follows:

“Law No. 6316 is clear. These Its manufacture and sale is prohibited. However, many of these and similar weapons of grave nature can be easily sold over the internet. They get around the law and call them souvenirs. This situation needs to be prevented. However, even if you have a penknife on you during the practices of the police, a report will be kept about it. It is necessary to take action.”

What does the law say about the sale and manufacture of swords?

Lawyer Hüseyin Ersöz: Law No. 6136 is not only about firearms, but also contains provisions that prohibit the importation, sale, purchase or production of knives and tools made for offensive or defensive purposes into Turkey. In this context, an offensive tool called the ‘samurai sword’ is also among the prohibited items. 14/1 of the Law. The penalty for the crime regulated in the article is 2-5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to 200 days. The sale of these tools under the name of ‘souvenirs’ is prohibited in Article 15 of the Law and is considered a crime. The penalty for this crime is imprisonment between 6 months and 1 year and a judicial fine of up to 25 days.

Lawyer Erdal Kılbaşoğlu: According to Article 4 of Law No. 6136, it is forbidden to make swords within the country. The construction of those that are required to be used only for the performance of an art or profession is allowed according to the rules determined in a regulation to be made by the Ministry of Interior.

There is no limitation for imitation products for decorative purposes that do not have sharp/piercing features.

Gökhan Ahi (Lawyer): There is no limitation for decorative imitation products that do not have sharp and piercing properties, but it is forbidden to sell, buy, carry and keep knives and tools defined according to the law, which are suitable for ‘use in attack and defense’ with all their features. Such tools can only be sold in licensed hunting and gun shops with a document.

If such swords have antique value, they can be brought from abroad if they have historical value.

Adil Serdar Saçan (Former Organized Crime Branch Manager and lawyer): In order to bring such swords from abroad, they must have an antique value. Such swords can be brought from abroad if they have antique value and historical value.

Although it is prohibited by legal regulations, it is still seen that it is sold in an uncontrolled manner.

It is worth reminding those who defend the idea that “even if the sale of swords is prohibited, those who want to kill will kill with a stone or a bread knife”: The murderer confessed to committing murder by buying these swords because he saw them in movies and emulated. If this logic is defended, scanning rifles and sniper rifles are also regardless of age or criminal record It should be sold publicly. We hope that the sale of these dangerous products will be banned by an immediate control and regulation on this issue.