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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 16, 2006 Swords vs. the law: who wins? A friend of mine is thinking of creating a realistic Halloween costume depicting a Middle Ages warrior. He heard it is legal to carry a sword as long as it is sheathed. Another friend pointed out that members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a group that specializes in creating Medieval costumes, do this regularly. I thought I would check with you to see if, in fact, it is legal to carry a sword in Medford. -- Shane M., Medford Your friend can live his Medieval dream this Halloween, Shane, because carrying a sword is perfectly legal, said Medford police Lt. Bob Hansen. Just make sure he's not going to re-enact the "Monty Python and the Holy Grail's" Black Knight scene. The other stipulation: The sword cannot be concealed. "When the sword is sheathed we don't consider that concealed," Hansen added. "It is illegal to slide it down your pant leg or hide it under a coat. You probably want to carry it in a scabbard, though, because it's the safest thing to do." Advertisement Common sense plays a huge role in Halloween costumes. The sword, though legal, can still land you a disorderly conduct charge if you swing it around in a threatening manner, Hansen said. And we'll go out on a limb and suggest that your friend leave the sword at home if he's going to a rowdy party. Alcohol, egos and weapons don't mix too well, whether it's a "harmless" "Check THIS out!" or "You got a problem, dude?" Every rowdy party has at least one person, often uninvited, who's got something to prove. Substitute a safer one made from a silver-painted sword-shaped yardstick with a duct-tape hilt. Other costume accessories that can cause problems are toy guns. Though no one in the Rogue Valley has been shot by police for brandishing a toy gun, there have been instances throughout the country where police have fired on people who point toy guns at them, Hansen said. "That could ruin your Halloween," Hansen said. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com