A ban on the manufacture, sale, import and private possession of so-called ninja swords took effect across England and Wales on 1 August. The measure, incorporated in secondary legislation laid earlier this year, follows a two-year campaign by the family of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who was stabbed to death with a 20-inch sword near his Wolverhampton home in June 2022. Under the new rules, anyone found with a ninja sword in a private place faces up to six months in prison, rising to two years when provisions in the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill—dubbed “Ronan’s Law”—are enacted. Public possession of any offensive weapon already carries penalties of up to four years. Crime and Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said the prohibition is part of a broader package to curb knife violence, including mandatory two-step age verification for online blade purchases and tougher sentences for retailers who sell knives to under-16s. More than 1,000 swords were surrendered during police amnesties ahead of the ban, according to Home Office figures. Ronan’s mother, Pooja Kanda—awarded an OBE in June for her advocacy—welcomed the change but called for licensing of all sharp-blade sales to close remaining loopholes. Police chiefs and the Association for Police and Crime Commissioners also endorsed the ban, saying it will significantly reduce the availability of weapons with “no legitimate purpose beyond causing harm.”