If we look at it from a public safety standpoint, I think we can agree that
A) Some things are inherently more dangerous than others and thus worthy of tighter regulations
B) Some situations pose great chances of bad things being done to more people and warrant tighter regulations.
I'm flying on a commercial flight as I type this and accept that planes, by their nature are dangerous and I'm glad that there are tight regulations on who is allowed to fly them.
Likewise, I also recognize that a commercial flight offers a higher risk of bad things being done, so I'm glad that things like big knives are prohibited in carry on (although really, the US should adopt the EU standard and allow small pen blades so I won't have to carry a de-bladed Mirca as I am).
I think if we can accept common sense understandings that a) people aren't nuts to see our knives, particularly our larger knives and fixed/locking knives, as inherently more dangerous than other day to day objects and b) there are contexts where people will be more or less accepting of a knife being used, things will go a lot smoother and will be less likely to go knee jerk and overboard on restrictions (like the current TSA ban on all blades is).
Look at it from a public safety standpoint? Why would I want to do that?
Ask me to look at something from a "personal responsibility first" standpoint and then we will have something to build on. I will go so far as to agree that some things can be more dangerous than others. Worthy of tighter regulations? Maybe not. Your statement is too vague to take any farther.
"Some situations pose great chances of bad things being done to more people." OK, I will agree with that. Warrant tighter regulations? Well, let's see, "common sense" would dictate that if people were in smaller groups, there would be less of a chance of bad things happening to as many people. Let's cut to the chase and regulate this to the simplest, most logical solution and suspend our constitutional right of assembly. Smaller groups of people, less people in danger. Right? You and I both know it is absurd. Just like most of the laws and regulations covering knives and guns. Good laws impact the least amount of the population possible, protecting the rights, privileges, and free agency of the masses.
Oh, the aircraft thing. I am safer in the air than behind the wheel of my wife's SUV. See what pops up when you Google, Is flying safe? The fact that someone can't fly with a pocket knife really does not come into play much, if at all. Aircraft design, maintenance and the airlines safety record do.
The "common sense" understandings that you desire us to accept are far from complete. Some people
will see a legally carried knife in public and attach their morals and intent to a simple chunk of wood and metal sharpened to a point. They never consider their environment or the actions of those around them. Especially, those of the knife owner. They just jump to the conclusion that knives (guns, motorcycles, etc.) are evil, dangerous and they should feel unsafe because of it.
These folks fall into the category of the population that I personally consider sheeple. I try to take their fears into consideration when I carry or use a blade. Just a little.
It's to protect my knife rights. You might even say it's common sense.
