That's What Katanas Are For

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32855934...me_and_courts/

Cops: Student uses sword to kill intruder
Cuts off man's hand, lacerates his upper body, police say

BALTIMORE - A Johns Hopkins University student armed with a samurai sword killed a suspected burglar in a garage behind his off-campus home early Tuesday, hours after someone broke in and stole electronics.

Some shocked neighbors said they heard bloodcurdling screams in an area just blocks from the university. Police held the student, a junior chemistry major who turns 21 on Sunday, for several hours, but no charges were filed by early afternoon, said police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

Around 1:20 a.m., the student heard noises behind the home and noticed a door to the garage was open, Guglielmi said. He grabbed the sword and confronted the intruder — identified by police as Donald D. Rice, 49, a habitual offender who had just been released from jail.
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Rice was crouching beneath a counter, police said. The student asked him what he was doing and threatened to call police.

"When he said that, the suspect lunged at him, kind of forced the kid against the wall, and he struck him with the sword," Guglielmi said.

[...]

Wow, that's cool ! Does he play STW?

[drone]

We have an official pandemic! Get the CDC going on the vaccine for Lemur's disease, stat!

[Megas Methuselah]

WOW. Honestly, I don't know what to say.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Shocking! Was the katana even registered? There's no requirement for them to be? Well, there should be. It could save up to three lives per year!

[Hosakawa Tito]

Well, if somebody had to die at least it was the right person.

[Rhyfelwyr]

I have a friend who would have done the exact same thing, if not with his samurai sword then his crossbow, ninja stars, or various other blades...

[Papewaio]

'I've got this friend who' ... is that code for yourself?

"And remember, this is for posterity so be honest."

[Hax]

I don't see how the weapon is relevant. Most people have a baseball bat. Hell, if I'd come across a burglar in the middle of the night, the first weapon I'd use are the hockey sticks we have.

[Hosakawa Tito]

I don't see how the weapon is relevant. Most people have a baseball bat. Hell, if I'd come across a burglar in the middle of the night, the first weapon I'd use are the hockey sticks we have.

I think it's just that the choice of weapon was unusual for this day & age. Whatever one has at hand will do, candlestick, pipe wrench, pool cue, etc... For me, I prefer my trusty .357 mag. I'm not into that marquees of queensberry stuff when ones life is on the line.

[AlexanderSextus]

I have a gladius hispaniensis ready for any would-be intruders.

Thanx, Europa Barbarorum.

[Centurion1]

Thats how we do it in maryland !!!!! *cocks katana*

[Husar]

I have a..a...a...uhm, I could take my cellphone hostage and threaten to drop it!

[Azathoth]

I have a plastic lightsaber and a Little Mermaid sword with the face of Ariel's father engraved in the hilt that I can dual-wield if the need arises.

[Gregoshi]

We have an official pandemic! Get the CDC going on the vaccine for Lemur's disease, stat!

I'd be laughing if this wasn't so serious. We may have to ask Tosa to set up Lemur colonies.

[Kadagar_AV]

I have a tactical route planned...

Next to the door is a knife on the hat rack, easily accesible. The hallway is narrow, so knife is best choice..

if i have to back off into the living room I have a very sharp machete hanging so I can grab it as I enter, more room for swinging there :)

I hope I never get to use it, but I want to be sure I have the option if the need arises.

Ranged weapons are for girlymen.

[drone]

I'm disappointed that the intruder's name wasn't Maynard or Zed.

[Gregoshi]

Kadagar, what about the bedroom or the rest of the house? You need more layers of defense...a polearm for the top of the stairs to keep them downstairs, a spear for the upstairs hall - good thrusting weapon for that narrow space (and longer reach than a knife) and you can throw it too. Come to think of it, a cauldron of boiling oil might do better at the top of the stairs.

[Centurion1]

Kadavagar don't forget to crenallate your roof and make sure there are plenty of murder holes.

[Papewaio]

Meh, I'd pack the equipment for them and give them a nice cup of tea. I pay insurance for a reason. I can replace material goods at a whim, but I can't raise the dead.

Mind you I would probably keep my hands on my hickory handled axe if they wanted more then material possessions. And I'd keep the cuppa for fingerprints and DNA.

[Lemur]

I have a plastic lightsaber and a Little Mermaid sword with the face of Ariel's father engraved in the hilt that I can dual-wield if the need arises.

Dude. Hardcore. Respect.

[Reenk Roink]

Ranged weapons are for girlymen.

Fixed. Use fists!

[AlexanderSextus]

Fixed. Use fists!

[Papewaio]

Gees a Lightsaber would have to do hair removal first to cut that guy down...

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
I'd simply use Glamdring.
.

[A Very Super Market]

I have a large piece of plumbing right in my bathroom. Sure, I need to procure a monkey wrench in order to detach it from the wall, but when I do, I'll have an unstoppable force no robber could hope to block.

[Cute Wolf]

Actually, I collect blades, daggers, and knives.... but should an intruder try to did something in my home.... I'll grab my axe first (those blades are regularly polished and cleaned... too bad to see something stained them.... ). That axe are regularly used to butcher chickens, dogs, cats, goats......

[Hax]

That axe are regularly used to butcher chickens, dogs, cats, goats......

Yes, truly hilarious.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Does he play STW?

Hate to tell ya, but I believe the bloke is more likely to play Mount and Blade. You know it has that Easter egg Japanese arms and armour, do you not?

[Ronin]

Is that you Duncan MacLeod?

[Crazed Rabbit]

Ranged weapons are for girlymen.

You're not a "work smarter, not harder" type, are ya?

CR