Personally I think its because most of the recent gag items have been geared toward weaponry of some kind, and people are starting to experiment to see if they can bring anything to the RP board. I agree that introducing lethal weapons into an RP that love and toleration is supposed to dominate is a bad idea, after reflection. For instance, my Royal Artillery suggestion was debunked on absolutely reasonable grounds, which I agree with. Gunpowered and overly complicated mechanisms wouldn't exist even IF ponies were aggressive and war-like. As for swords and spikes and such, it may just be an attempt at increasing a 'cool' factor for a character. More sinister/ formidable-in-a-fight looking character usually = cool in some people's minds. But it would also open doors to violent RPs that I think would ruin the board, so I agree with the stance the help staff is taking on this.