"Offensive Weapons" in the UK

[Cyberman]

I think it's more to do with the law having to be as precise as possible with its definitions. That's why there are, in this case, at least two supporting definitions; three if you throw in the one defining a public place. Just to recap, a weapon is defined in law as "any object that has been made or adapted to cause injury". On its own that would make ownership of any item illegal, since pretty much anything can be said to have been made to cause injury - a breadknife, for instance - or can be so adapted, such as a beer bottle or car keys, or the traditional housewife's favourite, the rolling pin. However, the second definition then comes into play to determine whether a potential weapon is one that a person might reasonably be expected to carry in public. Equal damage, perhaps, but the definitions exist so as to increase personal freedoms as opposed to curtailing them. Not to mention the correct application of justice.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to defend laws at the expense of a free society and every law intended for no reason other than to oppress the populace, or are otherwise irrelevant, must be fought. However, for the most part there are sound reasons why laws such as these are worded the way the way they are, not to mention being drafted at all. I'm only glad to live in a society in which our laws and their enabling Acts are freely accessible.