If you make or carry knives, YOU could go to jail!!!

drdoc said:
As much as I love my blades, that precedent scares me far more than losing the right to carry my knife does.


Doc Shipley
American Citizen
Click to expand...

Well said Doc.
Reduction of our freedom scares me. We have enough govenrment in our lives.
Our forefathers came to this country because of acts like these and many more that I hear of that are on the horizon at this time.
It is time to stand up for our freedom more than anything.

Darrel
 
Here is a list of all of the congress persons and senators that fund the customs people that are tring to ban assisted openers.
Please make a form letters from all of the information you have and go to their email contact form and cut and paste your letter in.
If we control their funds "customs" we stop this action.
This week is crucial in this fight!
Do it asap.

Thanks

Overseeing Customs is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Funding for DHS, as with all government operations, comes from the United States Congress.


customs-flow-chart.jpg



Both houses of Congress have committees that oversee DHS activities. The people who sit on these committees are the ones Operation Switch Hunt members need to contact about the Customs issue.

TAKE ACTION

If you need help writing the letters, here is a form one from AKTI:

AKTI Form Letter to Legislators (Word document)

AKTI Form Letter to Legislators (Rich Text File document)

Knife Rights also offers a form letter:

Knife Rights Form Letter to Legislators (Word document)

Knife Rights Form Letter to Legislators (Rich Text File document)


CONTACT THESE PEOPLE

U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security

Bennie G. Thompson (MS-2) (Chair)

Loretta Sanchez (CA-47)

Jane Harman (CA-36)

Peter DeFazio (OR-4)

Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)

Zoe Lofgren (CA-16)

Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18)

Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

Christopher P. Carney (PA-10)

Yvette D. Clarke (NY-11)

Laura Richardson (CA-37)

Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-1)

Ben Ray Lujan (NM-3)

Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-8)

Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5)

Al Green (TX-9)

James A. Himes (CT-4)

Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15)

Eric J. J. Massa (NY-29)

Dina Titus (NV-3)

Peter T. King (NY-3)

Lamar S. Smith (TX-21)

Mark E. Souder (IN-3)

Dan Lungren (CA-3)

Mike Rogers, (AL-3)

Michael T. McCaul (TX-10)

Charlie Dent (PA-10)

Gus M. Bilirakis (FL-9)

Dr. Paul Broun (GA-10)

Candice Miller (MI-10)

Pete Olson, (TX-22)

Anh "Joseph" Cao, (LA-2)

Steve Austria, Ohio



U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Joseph I. Lieberman (Chairman) (CT)

Susan M. Collins (ME)

Carl Levin (MI)

Tom Coburn (OK)

Daniel K. Akaka (HI)

John McCain (AZ)

Thomas R. Carper (DE)

George V. Voinovich (OH)

Mark L. Pryor (AR)

John Ensign (NV)

Mary L. Landrieu (LA)

Lindsey Graham (SC)

Claire McCaskill (MO)

Jon Tester (MT)

Roland Burris (IL)

Michael Bennet (CO)
 
This is exactly what I am talking about.
These people follow. They do not lead.
This letter says Ill do what the others do to me?
It is to appease us.
If you want to have your knives, you better send your letters and scream or you will lose your knives.

I do not trust these people as far as I can throw them.
Read this:

"It is important to note that the CBP’s proposal relates to the importation of assisted-opening knives and would not ban the private ownership or use of such knives."
DO YOU BELIEVE THIS???? I DONT!

This says to me that we already know what your thinking and that is our next step. We will use this to smooth this one over and come back for this part later.


Did you notice NOREPLY in the email address?

Reply from Senator Brown.


-----Original Message-----
From: Sherrod Brown [mailto:do_not_reply@brown.senate.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 20095:53 PM
To: dralph@earthlink.net
Subject: Reply from Senator Sherrod Brown

Dear Mr. Ralph:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed regulation changes regarding switchblade knives.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Rules and Regulations has proposed to revise the rules regarding admissibility of certain switchblade knives into the United States. Under the Switchblade Knife Act of 1958, anyone who knowingly introduces, distributes, or transports any switchblade knife as defined by this law is liable to fine or imprisonment. Previously, CBP determined that certain knives with spring - assisted or release-assisted opening mechanisms were admissible. After recent reconsideration and re-examination of several knives at issue, the CBP determined that knives incorporating these mechanisms should be prohibited from entry in the United States. It is important to note that the CBP’s proposal relates to the importation of assisted-opening knives and would not ban the private ownership or use of such knives.
I understand your concern regarding the classification of certain knives for utilitarian purposes. The CBP proposal is open for comments until June 21, 2009. I will monitor the situation and should any legislation regarding this regulation come before the Senate, I will certainly keep your views in mind.
Thank you again for writing me.
Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown
United States Senator
 
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If you can't email them, send a letter please.

There are many court cases on the books in many states that prove the difference between assisted opening and switchblade knives.
Please look them up.

This action is about more then just assisted opening knives.
It is about our right to freely carry knives in general.
The way government work "from known history" is that they start with an action like this, then the take little more over and over again until you have nothing.
This ruling is about more than just assisted opening knives.
It is about knives in general!
We need to stop them this time. There will be no stopping a second time. Once they get what they want, they dont give it back to you.

I have never witnessed a TAX REDUCTION. Have you?
Our taxes have went up, and up, and up a little at a time until....you get the point I hope. I have never voted for a tax reduction. I am sure someone has but Ill bet they are few and far between.

We need to act today! Sunday is the deadline for public comments.
You need to send your letters. Send your emails. We need help.
 
We need to get this information in front of more people other than just knifemakers. We need to send this information to Radio talk shows. radio and tv news, even newspapers and editorials.
Dan
 
Dan, you're right. I also sent emails to Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh. You would think they'd jump all over this as a 2nd amendment issue, and an example of over-zealous gov't interference, but no response yet. I confess I haven't listened to much daytime radio this week, so I may have missed it if they mentioned the subject.

My fear is that this sort of thing will sneak in under the radar, since who gives a hoot about knifemakers and collectors? There's so much crazy stuff going on right now... I suspect our best chance is to organize... join the pro-knife organization of your choice, or all you can find.

I haven't joined kniferights yet, but probably will very soon. I will say that AKTI sent me a nice packet of info very quickly after I joined. FWIW, with their help some dumb bills that were on the table in Texas and Hawaii have been shot down. Hopefully, this helps send a message and set precedents.

Let's keep it up with those emails and letters, even if there's not an issue-du-jour immediately at hand. Our representatives need to know that we're not going to let this stuff slide.
 
I'll email a local radio guy in Kokomo, Indiana, and then try some Indianapolis radio stations. Maybe if he says something, others will follow suit.
 
Never hurts to start local, Mike. :thumbup: A letter to the editor of our local newspapers couldn't hurt, either.
 
United States Senator Richard Lugar sent me a letter back from the message I sent him (Knife and gun related), and I won't type it all out, but the main about it is:

"I appreciate your concerns about U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Proposed Revocation of Ruling Letters and Revocation of Treatment Relating to the Admissibility of Certain Knives with Spring-Assisted Opening Mechanisms. I appreciate having the benefit of your thoughts as one who makes knives."

"I agree that the federal government must thoughtfully consider how any proposed reform of our federal regulations affects the important rights of all Americans. In order to share my interest in this matter and request additional information, I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of your correspondence to CBP. I will promptly share with you a copy of CBP's response."
 
If you want the power of the Constution and Delaration of Independence to work for you, go after what they want.
YOUR VOTE !!
Register as an independent. Do not let them take your vote for granted. There will be some good people left but most all from both parties want power and your ability to elect them to office.Both parties act similar and do not listen to logic. Most are in the pockets of the "K" street lobby in Washinton D.C.
Corruption is rampid and in the open.The President is selecting Czars and making them only accountable to him.
They have their own budgets, and could usurp ( replace ) Congress with unlimited power. To date there are now #30+ Czars. Sounds like the old Soviet Union.
Letting them pass bills and spend us into Socialism is not what Americans accept. We are a Democratic Republic.
If Congress was gone the only thing between total control would be nine people on the Supreme Court.
If you want to continue to make tools that have evolved to help people that work with their hands, then your vote in 2010 is very important. Incumbents must go ! This is our country not theirs. They work for us we do not work for them. This will only get worse not better unless you learn how powerful your vote is. Be part of the process .
This is a great country and all should be able to feel at ease here and not fearful.
Thomas Jefferson said "When you fear your Government that is Tyranny, When your Goverment fears you that is Freedom"
Bills like cap and trade are a hidden tax. Health care is better left to our free market system. Do you want to have a Government tell you what type of heath care you can receive and when. Cap and trade will hurt all your parents who can not afford to have their fuel bills double. Some are retired,or are not in good health. They are home most of the time. They use more energy then those who have day jobs.
Oil will be with us for a generation before we have a stable fuel platform and a better grid that could even store power.
Drill the coasts to help alleviate sending troops to control oil.
Global warming is junk science.
Be an American ! No one party owns your VOTE.

Floyd
 
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For anyone interested, I have a few bumper stickers that carry Floyd's message: "Had Enough? VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT!" I'll send one or two to anyone who PMs me asking for them. You can also have your own made. I think we spent something like $150 to have a couple hundred made. This is an important message, but my experience has been that most people a) don't see that there is a terrible problem with Congress, b) are too party-oriented to vote against their favored incumbent or c) are too apathetic to get off their duffs to go vote at all. It's a shame, because we are losing our democracy; "a thousand little cuts." I've voted against every incumbent in the last two elections - regardless of party affiliation - and it's going to be my policy until we get our Constitution back.
 
CRAPO, RISCH CO-SPONSOR AMENDMENT TO FEDERAL SWITCHBLADE ACT

Excludes assisted-opening knives from proposed regulations

Friday, July 10, 2009

Washington, DC— Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch co-sponsored legislation this week that adds assisted-opening knives to the list of knives excluded from the Switchblade Act. The amendment was prompted by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency proposal that would ban those knives from importation into the U.S.

“These knives are clearly not weapons”, said Senator Mike Crapo, Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness. “They are important tools for law enforcement, firemen, sportsmen, handymen, recreationist, and gardeners. Approval of this amendment will help ensure the continued availability of these knives that are relied upon daily by sportsmen, workers and citizens.”

“If this rule had gone into effect it not only would have been devastating to America’s knife manufacturers and dealers, it could have had serious legal implications on the millions of us who carry these kinds of knives,” Risch said. “It is yet another example of the federal government trying to enact regulation without careful consideration or a complete understanding of the implications of that policy.”

Crapo and Risch, along with the rest of Idaho’s delegation, wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in May explaining their concerns about the proposal and noting that it could be interpreted to cover “all knives using a spring” including a Boy Scout knife. They also expressed their concern it goes against rulings by many state legislatures and state courts.

The amendment was added by Unanimous Consent to HR 2892, the 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which passed the Senate Thursday night by a vote of 84-6.
 
Below is a copy of the response I received from Washington Senator Patty Murray:

Dear Mr. Burke:

Thank you for contacting me regarding a proposed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interpretation of the Switchblade Knife Act to expand its list of prohibited knives. It is very good to hear from you.

In fall 2008, CBP started the process to revoke past rulings governing the importation of certain types of knives. If completed, the new CBP rule would have barred knife makers from selling a number of modern knives that open more easily than traditional folding knives. Many of these modern knives are commonly used by hunters, backpackers, fishermen, and law enforcement officers for utilitarian purposes in Washington state and across the country. This interpretation threatened to make it more difficult for owners to carry or use these knives after July 21, 2009.

During Senate consideration of H.R. 2892, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2010, Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced an amendment to focus enforcement of the Switchblade Knife Act on dangerous weapons and exempt from coverage modern utilitarian knives that had never previously been barred. I supported this amendment and you will be happy to learn that this amendment was agreed to unanimously and that H.R. 2892 has passed the Senate. It will now be considered by members of the Senate and House of Representatives in a conference committee.

You should know that I will continue to monitor this legislation as it is considered and keep your thoughts on this issue in mind. Laws on importation and ownership of knives should not be used to needlessly ban modern pocketknives and similar knives used routinely for work and recreation. Thank you again for contacting me on this important issue and please keep in touch.

I hope all is well in Everett.​

Erin
 
Huh. I never heard back jack crap from the senators I wrote to on two seperate occasions. Just generic automatic response messages. Nice to have someone in office actually put the effort forth to stay in touch with us "common" people. Wish that f$#@-tard in the oval office would get a clue and do the same.

--nathan
 
Erin Burke said:
Below is a copy of the response I received from Washington Senator Patty Murray:

Dear Mr. Burke:

Thank you for contacting me regarding a proposed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interpretation of the Switchblade Knife Act to expand its list of prohibited knives. It is very good to hear from you.

...

I hope all is well in Everett.​

Erin
Click to expand...

Now that's the kind of representation we need! Thanks for sharing that Erin. Perhaps I'll forward to my senators as an example of what I expect from them. ;)
 
There is a amendment to keep this from happening

Also from Senator Murray in WA.

Dear Mr. Viall:



Thank you for contacting me regarding a proposed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interpretation of the Switchblade Knife Act to expand its list of prohibited knives. It is very good to hear from you.



In fall 2008, CBP started the process to revoke past rulings governing the importation of certain types of knives. If completed, the new CBP rule would have barred knife makers from selling a number of modern knives that open more easily than traditional folding knives. Many of these modern knives are commonly used by hunters, backpackers, fishermen, and law enforcement officers for utilitarian purposes in Washington state and across the country. This interpretation threatened to make it more difficult for owners to carry or use these knives after July 21, 2009.



During Senate consideration of H.R. 2892, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2010, Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced an amendment to focus enforcement of the Switchblade Knife Act on dangerous weapons and exempt from coverage modern utilitarian knives that had never previously been barred. I supported this amendment and you will be happy to learn that this amendment was agreed to unanimously and that H.R. 2892 has passed the Senate. It will now be considered by members of the Senate and House of Representatives in a conference committee.



You should know that I will continue to monitor this legislation as it is considered and keep your thoughts on this issue in mind. Laws on importation and ownership of knives should not be used to needlessly ban modern pocketknives and similar knives used routinely for work and recreation. Thank you again for contacting me on this important issue and please keep in touch.
 
Well, even though I didn't hear back from him, at least my senator (Cornyn) helped bring this amendment up.

--nathan
 
Nathan,

Last time I wrote Sen. Cornyn, I got an actual letter in the mail about 4-6wks later. Dunno if this will hold true here, but thanks for writing all the same...at least we got somewhere.

Brian K.
 
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