Busted with SEVEN knives and a stun gun!

[Cosmic Superchunk]

Originally posted by The General
Lol!I like that, the diet Coke of Evil! Whats a Civilian then? The Kendal Mint Cake of Evil? I billion cals per gramme?

Exactly.


Cheers,
El Cid

 

[Raptor]

My initial impression, hearing of this situation, was that this guy just has to be a forumite. He simply just "fits the description" way too good.

My second impression was a question to myself..."What the hell was he thinking?"

My third impression?? Well, that's when I heard about his suspicious address and then I simply wished that he had (or has) nothing to do with our little world here at BFC.

And one more impression (again in the form of a question, or rather question/statement to myself)...
I wonder what a knifemaker, purveyor, knife industry worker, or even the honest law abiding American knife collector (like you and I) are now going to do when they need to travel to shows?!?!?!? What I mean is, for now checking in knives is still legal but would you want to roll on up to the airport with a bag full of knives and try to explain yourself??? I sure know I wouldn't!!!!
It was always a subject of great discussion and debate, hear at BFC, about the legality of flying with knives (pre 9-11) but now I'm thinking that this debate will soon be put to an end and decided for us.

Sorry for the rant (I just felt like popping in on this one)...

--The Raptor--

*Note-If you're interested in some really good reading on the subject of highjacking, and also for a few possible solutions that are currently not being mentioned/discussed by the news media, then check out the Dec. 2001 issue of Soldier Of Fortune magazine.****

 

[Gary Hudson]

Raptor,
I thought the same thing. PLEASE, don't let him be a forum member. Then we all get to go under the microscope while his posts get read on the air, along with some of our pre-Sept. 11 comments about flying with knives, even though legal at the time.
Then it got me to thinking about how many knives I have stowed and forgotten in overnight bags and such. I mean like junk I bought several years ago before I found out about better quality blades. Mind you, I don't carry a stun gun or tear gas, but maybe I left one of those edge co. copies of the A.G. Russell framelock thingie or some other cheapie in there.
I went through my bag and cleaned out all the pockets. I got rid of all the accumulated junk in the bottom, and now have more change in the jar, more matches, a couple of Kentucky Derby ticket stubs, a ticket to Graceland, some little one handed opener with an led in the end, and less to worry about the next time I fly. I still have a pair of scissors in a first aid kit that will have to go, but if I forget those I probably won't end up on CNN with a dumb look on my face.

G.

 

[krangle1]

Originally posted by gadgetman

On a more relevant note, did anyone see the knives that were confiscated? I saw a Gerber Gator, Spyderco Native, and a Spyderco Delica. I didn't get a good look at the others since, asa Spyder-phile, I was drawn to the Spydies. I wonder if that will make Spydercos in particular targeted as "hijacker's weapons".

gm

I think the others were stamped "PAKISTAN" "STAINLESS"

 

[not2sharp]

I can't seem to figure out what the man did to get arrested.

Yes he had some knives in his carry on luggage. So what, most of us have done the same thing at some point. I even use to carry a loaded nail clipper!

In the usual routine of things he should have been stoped at the security check point and given the usual options:
1) Check your carry on bag
2) Get rid of the knives etc.
3) Forego the flight

He didn't get stopped becuase airport security blew it. So why is he facing felony charges? I see no action on his part to indicate that he was trying to conceal the knives or act in an unlawful manner. The knives weren't found concealed in any way. If we want to arrest someone then arrest the security team for criminal neglegence.

What bothers me is that the authorities are automatically attributing criminal intent, and that's a pretty big stretch. As long as this is the attitude I am not going to fly anywhere. I am not afraid of the terrorist, but, I am getting very concerned about our over eager enforcement efforts. It is bad enough that we might get shot down if someone spills a bag of sweat-&-low, now you will probably be arrested if you forget to remove your lethal nail clipper from your carry on.

n2s

 

[Gollnick]

In the usual routine of things he should have been stoped at the security check point and given the usual options

These are not normal times.

Guns and knives in CHECKED baggage are still perfectly legal (guns must be unloaded and declared). The only reason that we even found out that this fellow had some knives in his checked baggage was the rather suspecious situation surrounding him. He was attempting to carry nine knives, mace, and a stun gun aboard. He gave the same address as a material witness to the Sept 11 events. He is in the US illegally with his visa three years expired. And he was carrying counterfeit ID documents. Had he not been caught doing all of those things, nobody would have looked in his checked bag.

Knives and guns (unloaded) in CHECKED baggage pose absolutely no risk to the flight. There is no reason to restrict them.

The last flight that I took was a flight that originated in Alaska and flew to Spokane, Washington and then continued to Portland, Oregon. I flew only the last leg of it. I couldn't help but overhear the fellows sitting in the seat behind me talking about what a great hunting trip they'd had in Alaska. At baggage claim, I noticed these same fellows taking large duffel bags obviously loaded with camping gear off the belt. Then, there was a page asking one to come the baggage service counter. He excused himself and went off. Later, he returned juggling three long cases, obviously rifles. Meanwhile, his buddies had begun offloading coolers with dry ice stickers on 'em. Apparently, they had a great and successful time hunting in Alaska and the guns and the knives had been transported safely and securely in the cargo hold of the plane. That was about three weeks ago.

 

[Strider]

Para and Not2Sharp seem to be the only ones posting here that get the bigger picture. We as knife people are pretty quick to condem another fellow collector instead of defending him. Sure these times are different but conducting witch hunts till we have all the facts doesn't help matters.
Bob

 

[The General]

Just thought I would give you some heads up. Four gentlemen were arrested the other day over here. I read an article in a paper today that described the 8" serrated knife in the checked in luggege of one gentleman as being an 'offensive weapon'. Unless I am very much mistaken, you can still bring things like knives into and out of this country as long as the knives are in the hold? Oh and not banned outright ownership wise. WT heck is going on??? The other dumb dips were bringing in brass knuckle dusters and mace spray, which ARE illegal over here.

I told one of my friends this today and his response was anyone carrying any knife in or out, checked luggege or whatever aught to have the book thrown at him ! What is going on?