Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

Fencing Team Banned from North Dakota State University Because of "Weapons Policy"
Christine Rousselle | May 13, 2014


Fencing, an Olympic sport sponsored by more than 30 NCAA schools, involves two athletes engaging in what is effectively a sword fight with a foil, saber, or épée. The equipment is blunted and does not have any actual blades or sharp tips. Unfortunately, for the newly-formed club fencing team at North Dakota State University, fencing equipment counts as a weapon, and the club has been barred from practicing on campus.

Naturally, the club members and their coach are not thrilled about this decision:

"The current interpretation of the non-weapon policy in NDSU...understands our fencing equipment as weapons," says the club's coach Enrique Alvarez.

Alvarez has been fencing since his early teens. He says despite their appearance, the foils, epees and sabers they use don't have sharp edges or points.

"This is a spring and a flat tip that if you press the spring against the body of the other person, will be awarded a point," he demonstrates.

Nonetheless, NDSU's Police and Safety Office Director Ray Boyer cited the school's policy manual and Code of Student Behavior, saying sabers and swords are prohibited on campus:

"They are deemed weapons, and as such, possession or use on University owned or controlled property is prohibited," he says.

The team has been forced to practice off-campus, a move they say has reduced the number of members in the club.

This policy is ridiculous, especially considering that NDSU has baseball, softball, and golf teams that presumably are permitted to practice on campus. Fencing equipment is not lethal, whereas baseball bats and golf clubs have actually been used to kill people. The school is certainly overreacting in this situation.

Violameister Loc: michigan

I took fencing in college more than 50 years ago. It was a tremendous experience, involving coordination, quickness, and perception; not unlike karate or judo. I wonder if these are also banned because "hands and feet become weapons".

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Yet another version of politically correct crap where common sense is thrown out the window and PC has taken its place. When will we ever learn?

Dennis

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Another case of PC overriding common sense.

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

I guess a baseball bat couldn't be used as a 'weapon'? If you are pulled over by the cops, and you have a baseball bat behind the seat in your truck, they consider you having a 'concelled weapon'. Think how many people have been beaten to death over the years, with baseball bats?

bemused_bystander Loc: Orkney Islands, UK

I hope they don't allow pencils, those things are sharp and have no place in a school


(Please note, this is called sarcasm)

Alashisan Loc: Arizona

In middle school, we used to bring our rifles and set them in the corner of the classroom on days we had shooting competition. I suppose they'd want to ban that too?

NDcanoe Loc: North Dakota

We in North Dakota take our fencing seriously! None of that sword crap. You need good barbed wire, a sharp post hole digger, an efficient wire stretcher and a good sturdy pair of leather gloves to play at this game. No wimpy pointed sticks.

FrumCA

I note an astounding (but not surprising) lack of lefty responses to this thread.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

bvm Loc: Glendale, Arizona

Sounds like ND has a pointy head problem.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Why should there be, ND is a red state!

Solve your own problems and don't come to us for a solution!