Nazi symbology

[Skids]

Is there a law, or are there any laws. restricting the sale of items bearing Nazi related icons and symbols, especially things with the Nazi Swastika on them?

[andy-hughes]

I assume you are in the UK, in which case I'm sure you are only governed by the law of good taste.

In Germany, the wearing of a swastika is illegal.

[Ward-Minter]

not in selling them no. There may be public order offences if displayed in shops or worn in public but only if somebody actually feels harrassed, alarmed or distressed or the wearer is intending to cause or stir up religious or racial hatred.

[KebabMeister]

In Germany you can buy Nazi medals etc. in shops but they have to cover the Hakenkreuz (hooked cross aka swastika). The swastika can only be displayed if it's associated with a historical reason, e.g. history books, films etc. It's banned in computer games, model aircraft, air display aircraft etc., as also in some other countries such as France (maybe Belgium too?). Any Nazi salute or anything promoting Nazi's is an arrestable offence in Germany.

However, I have seen the swastika symbol with 'Gegen Nazis' (Against Nazis) on sew on patches and flags etc., so I think it's acceptable in that sense.

As far as the UK is concerned I don't think there are any laws compared with the rest of Europe but I'm sure you'd be arrested if you paraded with a swastika in a street etc.

[Toureman]

No!

I bought 2 small antique oil lamps from a shop in shanghai that has swastika designs on them, in china the swastika is a good luck design used well before the nazis used it.

[Whickerman]

Ebay has banned the sale of nazi memorabilia though.

[Ward-Minter]

really?

[tock24]

At one time the swastika was a symbol of the Boy Scouts of America. It was changed during the rise of the Nazi's in the 30's.

[lepers]

the use of the SS totenkopf or deaths head is banned in germany. had to be removed off angelina jolies belt buckle on a tomb raider poster i believe.

[lepers]

on another vein, why did possibly the most hated regime in history have to have the best uniforms?

[KebabMeister]

They still do have the best uniforms!! When some of the Luftwaffe guys/girls I work with wear their uniforms they look so cool!

[Whickerman]

Ward-minter, for not the first time, I obviously stand corrected.

There were stories in the press about 3 or 4 years back about ebay banning them, obviously unfounded.

[Toureman]

I bought my Swastika oil lamps on ebay! Whickerman!

[buffyuk]

Did you know that the swastika was originally a pagan symbol for continuity of life? Seems strange doesnt it?

[Brando_#1]

Hinuds use the swastika as a religious symbol and this is way before the Nazis, it is one of the oldest religions. So I dont think it is illegal to purchase the swastika.

[Brando_#1]

Sorry Hindu's.

[PhilBy]

Ebay rules:

"eBay has always exercised judgment in allowing or disallowing certain listings consistent with the spirit of a world wide community. Therefore, eBay will judiciously disallow listings or items that promote hatred, violence, or racial intolerance, including items that promote organizations (such as KKK, Nazi, neo-Nazis, Aryan Nation) who profess such views. For example, eBay will generally remove items that bear the marks of such organisations, such as relics from the KKK or Nazi helmets."

[stevie619]

And ebay sells ss stuff