Regarding the original question about carrying one in Arizona, pretty much anything goes here. I don't know why in the hell you would, especially for self defense. The Cholos around here would simply do a drive-by on you, turn around, and make a BBQ utinsel out of your blade! Collector swords are cool, but the folks I see carrying them around here occasionally have WAY bigger problems than defending themselves. Most make Marilyn Manson look like Beaver Cleaver.