§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received advocating legislation to stop the sale of the kung fu weapon known as Death Stars.
§ Mr. Giles Shaw[pursuant to his reply, 29th March 1985]: These devices have been drawn to my attention by two of my right hon. and hon. Friends and a county council. It is already an offence under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 to have an offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse; and the definition of "offensive weapon" is sufficiently wide to cover such things as kung fu "Death Stars". The Act provides for a penalty of up to two years imprisonment or an unlimited fine, or both. Controls on such articles are aimed at the point of possession and use rather than at the point of sale, because there are many items sold for legitimate purposes which can be used as, or converted into, weapons.