HB2347 WA State Redefining Legal Carry & Manufacture

[Spey]

The State of WA is/has redefining “switchblades” and “spring blade knifes”, along with legal possession & manufacture definition for these knives. Could someone explain the last sentence here, beginning on line 14 (seems a bit contradictory – specifically the use of the word “not” in line 17):

9 "Spring blade knife" means any knife, including a prototype,
10 model, or other sample, with a blade that is automatically released by
11 a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a
12 blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force
13 of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or
14 movement. A knife that contains a spring, detent, or other mechanism
15 designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade and that requires
16 physical exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to
17 overcome the bias toward closure to assist in opening the knife is not
18 a spring blade knife.

From this link (you can read in full context):
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/House Passed Legislature/2347-S.PL.pdf

thanks,

 

[glistam]

It's standard language designed to exclude assisted-opening , backspring and slipjoint knives from being included under the definition of "switchblade" or "spring blade" which have restrictions on them above and beyond normal knives. It's almost a total copy paste from federal law 15 USC 1244:

this title shall not apply to
...
a knife that contains a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade and that requires exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure to assist in opening the knife.

 

[Spey]

Thank you, I see the light now. Provided physical exertion to the blade … is needed to open, spring loaded is acceptable (i.e. spring release button on the blade ok, but button on the handle is not). I was getting hung up on the semantics of the words used in the sentence. Appreciate you taking the time to reply.