Given the definition of "switchblade," can I own an Axis lock or Liner lock in TN?

[TKA]

As taken from http://knife-expert.com/tn.txt

(14) "Switchblade knife" means any knife that has a blade which opens automatically by:
(A) Hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle; or
(B) Operation of gravity or inertia;

Since my Emerson Super CQC-7 can be snapped opened with a swing of the hand and any Benchmade Axis knife, after pressing the bar, can be opened with a swing of the hand, would either of these be considered "switchblades" since it could be argued that they operate by "inertia?"

Perhaps an Axis locking knife might not be considered a switchblade in this sense, since you still have to press the bar, and then flick it, but would a liner lock be considered a "switchblade" since it can be "open[ed] automatically by... operation of... inertia?"

 

[tom19176]

In NY the wording is very similar and they are considered gravity knives, but most states do not take it to this extreme. We know it is NOT a switchblade, but an officer using that definition would have a valid arrest if he found one of those two knives on you during a stop. Will it ever happen? Would the officer charge you even though we all know they are NOT switchblades? It is a coin toss in most areas, unless you live in a very knife friendly area. From what I know TN tends to be knife friendly, but a city or town with in it maybe be different....

 

[TKA]

Thanks. I'm in Nashville right now.

 

[pinhead]

This is why I won't own any of those types of knives here in Colorado even though I really like them. I suppose owning them would probably be OK but carrying would be off limits which totally defeats the entire purpose of having one in my opinion. And yes here in Colorado under an extremely liberal interpretation just about any other folding knife could be considered a gravity knife too if it can be opened and locked by "centrifugal" force. Well just about any knife can be flicked open by holding the handle and doing a quick wrist flick with enough practice, especially linerlocks. We seriously need some reform of these totally ridiculous laws and some clarification what is and what is not legal without having to put our heads on the blcok to find out what this week's court interpretation of these vague laws will be.