Interpreting Balisong law for Washington State

[Erin Burke]

This is a duplicate of my post from the Balisong Forum.

So I've been researching the legality of balisong ownership in Washington State.

Per RCW 9.41.250

(1) Every person who:

(a) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;
...
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

So it would seem to me that balisong sales and possession is illegal here. So why is there a whole case of cheap butterfly knives for sale in every "House of Cutlery" or other mall knife shop in the State? What am I missing?

 

[MORIMOTOM]

the language here is not too dissimilar from california law, where balis are treated as switchblades.

just because something is available, that does not make it legal. it is possible that law enforcement, for whatever reason, does not enforce this law on retailers.

it is also possible that case law exists that has determined balis NOT to be switchblades.

 

[button]

Seems that the NRA is going to have a branch to support knife rights as well as guns.
I called them and said if they were out to do away with the switchblade laws I was with them.
They answered with the reply that they were not going to attack that law as it would be too difficult and would stick to opposing new laws.
I told them that the old law was the root of most of those stupid laws,both state and municiapl that made it difficult for knife owners,including one handed opening laws.
They told me that if I wanted to do away with the original law then their organization was possibly not for me.
I thanked them for the promp response and said to my self,"to hell with them."
Although they would probably be better than nothing,but not much more.:jerkit:

 

[R.W.Clark]

The NRA has time and time again refused to address knife laws. The maintain the stance that they are only for firearm issues. This has been thier stance for many year. And that is fine.

The AKTI is only interested in protecting a few major knife companies. That is fine as well.

It is un-clear at this time what kniferights.org is going to do or has planned. I am meeting with the pres of Knife Rights next week and that should give a better idea of where they are headed.

As to the balisong issue in WA, it would appear from the wording of the law that they may be illegal. But like was said alot has to do with case law and the current State DA.

Also, as was said, just because something is advertised for sale, that does not mean that it is legal.

 

[zignal_zero]

The NRA has time and time again refused to address knife laws. The maintain the stance that they are only for firearm issues. This has been thier stance for many year. And that is fine.

The AKTI is only interested in protecting a few major knife companies. That is fine as well.

It is un-clear at this time what kniferights.org is going to do or has planned. I am meeting with the pres of Knife Rights next week and that should give a better idea of where they are headed.

As to the balisong issue in WA, it would appear from the wording of the law that they may be illegal. But like was said alot has to do with case law and the current State DA.

Also, as was said, just because something is advertised for sale, that does not mean that it is legal.

i didn't realize this. i've been a life member of NRA for many moons and am trying to find the best Knife rights org to join. thanks for the info

 

[R.W.Clark]

I just returned home from lunch with the Chairman of Kniferights.org. While a young group and relatively small at this time, they are growing very fast. I am pleased with thier ideas and the direction that they are focusing on going.

If you can, I would suggest supporting all three (NRA, AKTI and KnifeRights). All three are working towards the same goal, they just each focus on differant areas of your 2nd amd rights. If you choose to only support one knife related group, then KnifeRights.org is what I would suggest. They are more focused on the end users and not so much on manufacturing and commercial production laws.

I have decided to back KnifeRights to the extent that I have pledged a rather large amount of time to volunteering my services to them.

What ever you decide, please support at least one. There is no doubt that the anti-freedom politicians and organizations will not stop with just attacking guns. They have already started working on getting rid of our knives.