Okay, I will drag on my subject matter expert hat (Well, helmet actually)
What most people have in their houses are not swords - they are sword like objects. While these can be lethal, they can also be dangerous and unpredictable in
their behavior when used for the actual purpose of fighting. Bad steel breaks in unusual ways - this is the video I tell all my students to check out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdXNKYX3CXU
The second. While a weapon in hand feels good, and safe, any time you bring one into a fight, it should be with the full knowledge that if you do bring it, it
has the capacity to used against you; especially if you are not particularly trained or skilled in the use of a weapon. Swords are wonderful and versatile
things, but they do require skill to use properly. Based on the various reports I read, the suspect suffered an amputation defensive wound and a chest wound.
This is consistent with an attack that demonstrated edge awareness - or a lot of luck on the part of the swordsman.
The student was lucky, but should be able to prove self defence in the situation.
I would guess here are more swords (Actual swords - not sword like objects) in my house than any three other board members combined - but in a break in, it
would not be the swords I would go for (and no I am not a gun owner).
Shayne