The shovel culture in this country is out of control. Clearly, we need laws to limit handle length, eliminate concealed shovel carry, and ban hoes. Yes, that's hoes- h o e s. Get your minds out of the gutter.
My dad was a water master and we had many farmers knock on our door carrying a shovel wondering why he couldn't give them more water than their share. He also happened to be our town judge. There was a fine line between a shovel being used as a tool or as a weapon.