Well, bluntly, yes. Copycat crime ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copycat_crimes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copycat_crimes ) is a known fact, brought into the

Well, bluntly, yes. Copycat crime ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copycat_crimes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copycat_crimes ) is a known fact, brought into the public psyche by media at large (see: school shootings, media asking themselves "how much covering should we really give this?") Given a largely publicised slashing with a katana on that same campus mere months ago (perhaps even less time had elapsed - thinkgeek does not clarify when they received the email) it is not unreasonable to assume a higher potential risk. I am not a criminology expert, so could not reliably say how much of an increase it would be. But it would probably be enough to justify unusually strict enforcing of an existing rule barring weapons on campus.