I read the article and with the numbers of idiots that are carrying things like swords and doing stupid and irresponsible things with them there is a need for some type of legislation. Even though martial art's students may feel infringed upon by laws such as this in the face of reality a bit of honest reflection will help us to feel good about what we are doing when we register our weaons we use for legitimate study, practice and collection purposes. We are after all martial artists not thugs.