Saw this on the advertiser and reminds me about gun free school zones.  Is a shuriken really a weapon?  Or at least a deadly weapon? Seems like they can kill with one hit in the movies, but I don't think in real life they would be any deadlier than a big rock.



http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20130108_Man_arrested_after_allegedly_walking_through_Highlands_campus_with_a_weapon.html?id=186111441

Man arrested after allegedly walking through Highlands campus with a weapon

Police arrested a man who allegedly walked through the Highlands Intermediate School campus while carrying a Shuriken-style metal throwing spike late this morning.
The incident happened at about 11:05 a.m. during school hours, police said.
The Pearl City man, 52, was located about one-tenth of a mile from the scene and arrested on charges of possessng illegal narcotics and possessing a deadly weapon.

When we were kids, we used to think Hanafuda cards could be deadly

No, not deadly weapons. They were used as distractions before going in for the kill with a sword or to aid in running away. The rare death would occur only if an artery got hit. Ballpoint pens are more deadly, stupid media exaggeration.

When we were kids, we used to think Hanafuda cards could be deadly

AHB = Assault Hanafuda Ban

Lots of things can be used as weapons, even something like a pen.  Calling it deadly IMHO depends on where a person is struck/lacerated by something.

you can do more damage with a louisville slugger
better ban baseball

Typical.

He was arrested with illegal drugs so just tack on as many charges as you can.

The prosecutor and public defender will jan-ken-po about which ones will actually stick.

I think Sri Lanka is over by Thailand off the coast

I think Sri Lanka is over by Thailand off the coast

Confusing attempt at thread derailment

not really, just an attempt at some humor

Its by no means an effective weapon like often seen in movies.  No knocking baddies off their feet with a single flick of the wrist.  It was more used for a distraction and interuption in the attack or flee process.  As in, someone closing in on you and you need to make an escape, throw shuriken after shuriken while running away.

As for what constitutes a weapon, well there are two ways to look at it.

One is that it was designed as such.  A shuriken, dagger, sword etc are all designed to be used as a weapon.  No one designed that thing to open letters...

Two is the act in which you use an object.  A screwdriver, baseball bat, framing hammer etc... are not designed to be weapons.  But once one is used in the act of violence is considered a deadly weapon in most eyes and will often be prosecuted as so.

sworeyegib summed it up pretty good.   its best to learn to use what you have around you for defense.  If your an accountant, learn to use a pen to defend yourself,  if your a carpenter and you use a utility knife to defend yourself, these are more easily to explain that it was available when you defended yourself.    if your a a guitar player and you use a hammer to defend yourself it would be much harder to explain why you had it on you or in your car etc.

just some food for thought.

Your ... Dragon ... style... is no... defense... for... my monkey fist...!!!

Saw this on the advertiser and reminds me about gun free school zones.  Is a shuriken really a weapon?  Or at least a deadly weapon? Seems like they can kill with one hit in the movies, but I don't think in real life they would be any deadlier than a big rock.

I wouldn't put too much into it. Schools have a zero tolerance policy for weapons, so whether a pocket knife or bazooka...it's still classified as a weapon. Dangerous and deadly are interchangeable terms for LE and the media.

And yes, a shuriken/throwing spike is a weapon. Is it (or a rock) considered deadly? That depends on it's use.

Typical.

He was arrested with illegal drugs so just tack on as many charges as you can.

The prosecutor and public defender will jan-ken-po about which ones will actually stick.

The Prosecuting Attorney's office will fling charges like monkey do with shit. Since it took place on school grounds and he was in possession of drugs...most of it will probably stick. Seperately, the weapon or drugs (depending on amount) would be a misdemeanor, BUT combined I believe it's bumped to a Class C offense. Hawaii's Office of the Public Defender have some good people, so the guy will likely plead out and get 30 days, drug rehab, and community service.