Ban on Pocket Knife Commerce

[DancesWithKnives]

www.akti.org

Presently, knives with opening studs or holes are exempt from regulations prohibiting sale and shipment of so-called "switchblades". Apparently there is a proposal to change customs regulations to drop that exemption so that any knife you can open with one hand or flick open could be considered a switchblade. AKTI is concerned that this definition could eventually sweep in most pocket knives because even the venerable Buck 110 can be flicked open if you know how to do it.

I suggest that knife owners read the info on AKTI's website and get a snail mail letter of protest mailed early next week. They should reach the gov by Friday, 6/19.

Thanks for your time,

DWK

[Altjaeger]

Somethig seems afoul there DWK. Why if U.S. Customs is making the proposal are they suggesting writing STATE legislators instead of United States Senators and Representatives. At least at first reading it is nonsensical.

[DancesWithKnives]

The problem is that you are too well educated!:) I think that the AKTI person who wrote the article did not use proper grammar. What I believe he MEANT (but did not WRITE, as you astutely point out) is that we should write to the federal Senators and Representatives from each of our own states.

If you go to the left side of the page and click on the Customs issue near the top of the list, I think the additional information will be helpful. I'll try to locate a different article on this topic to link because I agree with you that this one could be clearer.

DWK

[DancesWithKnives]

OK, try www.kniferights.org. Hopefully that will provide everyone with a little better organized information than the previous link.

DWK

[ncboman]

Nanny state laws, the most pitiful attempt at protection known to man.

Is there any feasable way to turn this country around?

ncboman

[Sabre]

Nanny state laws, the most pitiful attempt at protection known to man.

Is there any feasable way to turn this country around?

ncboman

Come on NC, You know as well as I do the answer to that question is a big fat NO.

[Rock Chuck]

The federal regulations only involve importing and transporting across state lines. This could be a problem for a hunter traveling to another state or to a worker needing his knife for a job in another state. A much bigger problem is that many states and local laws piggyback on federal law. They just state that whatever the fed regs are, they use them. So, if fed rules call your favorite Buck a switchblade, your state will call it that also. If your state prohibits carrying a switchblade, then your Buck is also prohibited.
Idaho allows switchblades but only if visible. That means that my Buck pocketknife would be illegal if carried in a pocket. It would have to be on my belt.

[Ol` Joe]

The federal regulations only involve importing and transporting across state lines. This could be a problem for a hunter traveling to another state or to a worker needing his knife for a job in another state. A much bigger problem is that many states and local laws piggyback on federal law. They just state that whatever the fed regs are, they use them. So, if fed rules call your favorite Buck a switchblade, your state will call it that also. If your state prohibits carrying a switchblade, then your Buck is also prohibited.
Idaho allows switchblades but only if visible. That means that my Buck pocketknife would be illegal if carried in a pocket. It would have to be on my belt.

Local ordinances also tend to follow the state or Federal law, which ever is the strictest it always seems.
Here in Michigan every township seems to have their own law and no two can agree with the other. The state basicly says no switchblades, 3" blade lgt and you may not carry to use as a weapon.
Some towns don`t allow fixed blades, some have smaller blade lgt limits, limits on where you can carry, blade geometry, you never know.
State law is a pain, travel just complicates things more.:mad::mad:

[DancesWithKnives]

Well my letter is on the way and should get to Customs before Friday. I'm also writing our POS Senators and Rep.

Hopefully we can beat this crap.

DWK