CT: Does Assisted Opener with a loose pivot meet our switchblade definition?

[mp510]

I got my Camco (Camillus trademark) assisted opener today, via UPS, and have been playing with it a little bit. Out of the package, the pivot was definetely loose, and in addition to the standard A/O means of opening the blade partially before spring takeover it could be opened by downward wrist force (no touchy the blade). Tightened it functioned properly- only opening with by my thumb on the blade prior to spring takeover. I don't really intend on carrying this knife much, but if I do, and if the tension screw comes loose, and the blade can open into position by wrist action, does the knife morph into meeting the 53-206 switchblade definition that so defines a switchblade as a knife that operates by spring release of the blade from the handle (basic idea of the definition anyways).

Thanks Chris.

 

[Chris Meyer]

C.G.S. 53-206 says in part; "...any knife having an automatic spring release device by which a blade is released from the handle,..." The knife that you describe does not fit that definition. It requires some physical action on your part to get the blade to open. You couldn't just lay it on a table, press a release button, and have it snap open.

Also, in the fine print at the bottom of 53-206 you will find; "Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 313. Knife not coming within description of statute cannot be included as "any other dangerous or deadly weapon" and is not with prohibition of this section. Id., 551." That means the police and courts aren't supposed to be able to slam you for a knife that is not specifically prohibited. Of course you could ask Michael Skakel how difficult it is to get the State to obey it's own laws.

(For those of you who don't know, Skakel was indicted in 2000 for killing a girl in 1975, when he was a teen. He was convicted in 2002 and is currently in prison. The problem is that, under the law in force in 1975, and which should have applied to his case, he had to be tried in juvenile court and the maximum penalty he could have received was to be send to juvenile detention until he was 18. Since he was 42 when convicted (in adult court), the penalty was moot. Unfortunately for him, the courts ignored the law and sent him to prison for 20yrs. He probably did kill her, but the law should be the law.)

Incidentally, I find that many folding knives can be flicked open by snapping your wrist downward or in a "C" arc, especially ones with relatively heavy blades and plastic type handles.