Auto and otf knives

J

JJaggar

Joined
Jan 15, 2015
Messages
253
what's the deal with being able to buy Automatic and automatic out the front knives like the many amazing ones that Benchmade makes? I would love to purchase some, if an OTF can only be purchased by Law Enforcement/First Responders/Military, then is it the same for purchasing non OTF Autos?
 
Yes. All autos fall under same rules.

Some places a dagger (double edge) may be illegal where a single edge otf is legal but your local laws may vary.
 
If I understand your question correctly, a number of states make a distinction between 'automatic' and 'out the front' knives. Sometimes both are not legal, the auto usually getting the reprieve. I think.....
 
Depends where you live. Federally you are supposed to be a "bonafide collector," a cop or active duty .mil. Pretty sure having one hand or the use of only one hand is mentioned as well.
State laws, who knows. They're all over the place.
I don't think I've ever heard of a place where side openers are OK but OTFs aren't. It's usually just "pushbutton spring opening" that matters.

Also, walking around with them and collecting them are very different stories.
 
bitfiend said:
....I don't think I've ever heard of a place where side openers are OK but OTFs aren't. It's usually just "pushbutton spring opening" that matters.

Also, walking around with them and collecting them are very different stories.
Click to expand...

You are probably right. I think I got caught up in more of the " 'just a warning' on an automatic VS. 'go immediately to jail' for an OTF " dichotomy and lost track of the question.

I stand corrected then. Sorry, Jagger.....
 
bitfiend said:
Depends where you live. Federally you are supposed to be a "bonafide collector," a cop or active duty .mil. Pretty sure having one hand or the use of only one hand is mentioned as well.
State laws, who knows. They're all over the place.
I don't think I've ever heard of a place where side openers are OK but OTFs aren't. It's usually just "pushbutton spring opening" that matters.

Also, walking around with them and collecting them are very different stories.
Click to expand...

I cant remember where exactly but someone on this board mantioned autos were legal as long as it was not an otf. It is possible though they were misinformed.
 
Auto knives are any spring operated knife operated by a remote switch - ie something not directly attached to the blade itself like a flipper, thumbstud, etc.. There is no distinction between otf and traditional switches. They are actually federally regulated, but are also regulated by state law. Sending them through the mail without proper federal forms violates federal law. You may own one if your state law permits - and what is permitted can vary vastly (as in California, where they are actually legal; but only so long as the blade is under 2in). Law enforcement and *currently active* military may also own them. Also, if you only have the use of one hand and are disabled you may own one. The regulation is ridiculous and based on the perception that switch blades are somehow more dangerous than "regular" knives rather than being based on fact. The fact which is that any knife can be dangerous, and most modern knives can be deployed just as quickly - if not faster - than a switchblade can. They also are seen as a "gang weapon" whatever that is... I think of cheap guns and sharpened toothbrushes when I think gang weapon lol. Anyways, there ya have it.
 
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