I realize many people are just now coming to terms with how they want to live regarding the owning and keeping of weapons. There is one Tolkien passage that has always spoken strongly to me:
Faramir says, (in TTT while speaking with Frodo)
I know that I did love the bright sword for its sharpness and the arrow for it's swiftness... and glory was always a pinnacle of yearning. But I think Faramir is wise beyond his years, to focus on the purpose of the weapon, not the weapon itself. Having made custom knives nd swords for many years, I find myself now almost completely uninterested in the particularities of what is basically a sharp stick. I can comment knowledgeably on design and materials and construction... but I am not moved emotionally by weapons any more.War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend
In cosplay, my character of Will Whitfoot, Mayor of The Shire, is completely unarmed and harmless. His greatest weapon is eloquent indignity. No much use against orcs I guess... but that's why we've got the Thain down there in Tookland...