SWAT Team Summoned over Samurai Sword Umbrella

Over in the NeatoShop, we sell an umbrella that has a handle similar to those found on Japanese samurai swords. One college student in Atlanta owns one (although he didn't get it from us), and when police heard that a student in a dorm had a sword, they surrounded the building and evacuated it. The owner's girlfriend reports:

The officer then asked me to describe him, so I proceeded to describe his hair color, height, eye color, and build. The officer interrupted, "Did this person have a weapon?" Through my nervousness I perceived what the situation was about.

I replied, "He had an umbrella that looked like a weapon. It looks like a samurai sword."

The officers looked at each other. One of them said, "An umbrella?" to which I replied affirmatively. I then helpfully volunteered, "I can call him to come right back over."


Link via Gizmodo

OK- Atlanta police are a little touchy right now since only a few months ago a GA Tech grad student was stabbed multiple times by a former grad student with a sword on GA Tech campus. I think this was a completely reasonable response given the circumstances
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I recently bought this kind of item (not from neato-shop, but in hongkong), I took the plane with it.
Well, except in the french customs, I had no real problem: many people just looked at me with a kind of "is it or is it not?" look.

french cop just asked me "is it a real blade?" with a smile.

This stuff makes you look special indeed :)
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Sounds like a perfectly reasonable response actually. I blame the police reaction on the dude that was carrying it around. Yes, it is not a real sword. No, that does not mean you can carry it around in a way that makes it appear real without accepting that you might freak some people out. Looking at the product page, I can definitely understand why someone would freak out.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 6 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"SWAT Team Summoned over Samurai Sword Umbrella"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More