Thread: Under the Radar?

Are you guys aware that here in the U.S there is a proposed regulation by U.S Customs to reclassify any assisted open knives making them the same as a switchblade under the 1957 act. This would make all such knives illegal in the U.S in interstate commerce.

I guess this was some big secret. I know the industry is gearing up. Time to write your congressmen.

Oh God! Theyre trying to turn us into the UK!

So you're saying that a pen knife would be illegal? Are you certain? This sounds pretty incredibly stupid, and that's why I tend to doubt it.

Of course, every time I think I've heard the stupidest thing ever, something happens (usually in DC) to prove to me that we can out stupid the best of them.


Edit: Wait, the US Customs service doesn't regulate interstate commerce. This law seems designed to protect US pocket knife manufactureres. You won't be able to buy a swiss army knife that's made in Switzerland, but that Scharade or Old Timer would be OK (unless those guys went to China).

uh.... how does this apply to me?

I'm not being flippant, rather asking the question everyone wants answered.

You brought it up.
Educate us.

acording the the guys at kniferights and a few other places, it would cover interstate comerce, because of the provisions in the switchblade bill. and yeah, its as scary as that. as I understand it, the big problem is that customs has decared that the "utility" provision afforded to certain blade shapes, and opening styles has been revoked, basicly knives are not tools, they are weapons. I've read that DHS has signed on as supporting the change, which isn't good for you guys.

It's just so vauge, really any folding knife could fall under the new ruling. remember, its not a law, it's a policy of how the current law will be interperated. never thought canada would have better knife law than the states. write your people, join knife rights, or a similar group. last I read on another forum, the NRA had jumped in.

Joe, some of the knives used as examples in the 60 some odd page announcement were spydercos, and I think benchmades. it will cover US made knives.

Greatwhite, it affects you because it could crater the entire US knife industry. also it would lead the way for more restrictions. I need a one hand opening knife at work, and I know that a great many other people do as well, this would make it hard for anyone to have a knife for work.
A point was brought up on another forum as well, with this mindset of interpretation, a multi-tool becomes a burglary tool, and that is not good at all

ahhh... I see

I have a concealed weapons permit so a knife being a weapon isn't a huge problem.

But I do see the problem.

does your jurisdiction permit the carry of a concealed knife as a weapon? I don't mean to be snide, but many do not from what I've been lead to believe. and can you carry a switchblade? most cannot.

Originally Posted by GadgetGeek

...I need a one hand opening knife at work, and I know that a great many other people do as well, this would make it hard for anyone to have a knife for work.
A point was brought up on another forum as well, with this mindset of interpretation, a multi-tool becomes a burglary tool, and that is not good at all

The trouble here is that people who don't use tools for a living are deciding that the utility of tools is outweighed by their danger to society. What's next, claw hammers reclassified as assult weapons?

Originally Posted by GadgetGeek

does your jurisdiction permit the carry of a concealed knife as a weapon? I don't mean to be snide, but many do not from what I've been lead to believe. and can you carry a switchblade? most cannot.

yes I can

I am aware of certain states where it is a "Concealed Firearm Permit"
Mine is "Concealed Weapon or Firearm Permit"
FL

works out good because my knife is a weapon
roflmao

Spyderco Military Spyder-Edge 440V (S60V)

personally I'm concerned that if it hampers the US Knife industry, it will be very hard for me to get my hands on tools here in canada. I doubt that too many distributes are willing to move, and the markup is already insane. It could also lead to pressure on canadian legislators to close our AO loopholes. that would suck. already there are several retailers that won't ship to canada due to the customs situation.