Chris Kern wrote:

> On Sun, 21 Sep 2003 04:39:30 +0000 (UTC), mtfester@MAPSON.netscape.net
> posted the following:
>
> >Michael Cash <mikecash@sunfield.ne.jp> wrote:
>
> >> Could you cite the relevant statute please?
> >
> >It USED to be that in some states in the  Hew Ess Ay a black belt was considered
> >a "deadly weapon" for legal purposes. No longer, to my knowledge.
>
> Sounds like an urban legend to me.

In Hawaii, a bodybuilder was prosecuted for killing a man outside a club in Waikiki
frequented by gays, with a punch to the throat or head. His strength was called a
deadly weapon.

In a separate Honolulu incident, a man with a fifth degree black belt in Hapkido
kicked a man in the chest, killing him. His martial arts mastery was also called a
deadly weapon.

It is not "a" law, but as Professor Michael Steenson, J.D., fourth dan in Tae Kwon
Do, writes,

http://tinyurl.com/o3y1

"In some jurisdictions, it is possible that a person's hands and feet may be
considered a deadly weapon. If so, criminal conduct will be aggravated. In other
words, it becomes a more serious offense. It is a more serious criminal offense to
attack someone with a weapon rather than with bare hands. If a weapon is involved
the criminal assault may be deemed to be an aggravated criminal assault. Because the
crime is more serious, the criminal penalty is also more serious."

"If you assault against another person, without justification, you may be subject to
a civil action or criminal prosecution. Involvement in either is highly unpleasant.
If you are forced to defend yourself, you may still be subject to civil or criminal
actions."