Is an Auto still an Auto if...

U

UW Mitch

Joined
Nov 2, 1999
Messages
1,437
either the spring is broken, or removed?

I thought I remembered reading somewhere that it would still be considered an atuo, if it was made to be an auto, regardless of if it could open at the press of a button. However, it seem to me that if an auto can no longer open automatically it should no longer be considered an auto.

Does anyone know the legalities of a situation like this?

Thanks,
Mitch

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My Hobby Page
 
As far as importation or interstate sales go, any knife which can be easily converted, or that is supplied in a kit form is considered an automatic, as I suppose would be any part required to accomplish the conversion.

An Auto without a spring might not be considered an auto in terms of state or local law depending on how the how the law is worded, how the law is interpreted, who you are, how good your attorney is, and so on.

(usual disclaimer: I am neither an attorney, nor a police officer, and I have never played either one on TV
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Mike
 
I am NOT an attorney, although I played one in a singles bar one night trying to pick up a redhead, but I digress. Be advised that even with the spring removed or broken, the knife may open by pressing the release and 'manual manipulation.' In some jurisdictions, a 'gravity blade' is just as bad as an auto, and may even be classified as a 'switchblade.' For example, look at all of the trouble that CRKT got into with Customs over that same issue. Plus, you might fit a 'demographic,' like a young kid in an "arrest me red" Corvette that's just begging to be strip searched. I'm 50, I drive an F-150, my wife usually accompanies me, I live in a small town, and I know all of the cops. I got pulled over for speeding two years ago by a cop I knew, she let me go and then asked if I had 'cool toys.' I showed her my new auto, and she was off to hassle graffiti artists and patrol doughnut shops. If YOU would have pulled that, she might have fitted you with Dane County 'bracelets'...--OKG
 
More importantly, what the hell was in the drinking water in the 1950s that caused America to quiver in her boots because cheap knives had springs in them?

You know, I am entirely Pro-Gun, but I have to say, out of all the Anti-Weapons Legislation considered, the Switchblade Laws are about the most stupid I have ever thought about.

I know I will be preaching to the choir...but it is a knife, worst of all, it is still a pocketknife. It is simply the most stupid weapons law that anyone would ever consider.

The concept (in the 50s) that you could buy hunting knives, military surplus knives and kitchen knives that would kill you even faster then a switchblade is simply stunning to me.

I should just move to Florida so I can collect nice Autos...
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It really is funny. If it weren't for the law, how many of us would even be paying attention to that kind of cheap switchblades?
 
U-DUB:
I would bet that in Seattle it would now be considered a "flick" or "gravity" knife.
Wouldn't want folks going to a WTO protest with a "falling,flicking,springing" blade.
Did you go to the anniversary (WTO)?
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Washington has some very screwed up knife and weapon laws! Did you know that a sling shot is in the same catagory as a machine gun here in WA? Except the law refers to them as "slung shots"...LOL to me!

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Ron,
Bremerton, Washington
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[This message has been edited by muzzleup (edited 12-03-2000).]
 
muzzelup,
I think the whole WTO protests are ridiculous. People enjoyed being tear gassed and pepper sprayed so much that wanted wanted to do it again this year
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! I have to say that while SPD could have handled it better, I think they did their job, both this year and last.

If I were the riot/protesting type, you can bet I wouldn't go with anything I didn't want confescated. The weird thing is there are three sets of laws to keep track of. Washington State Law, Seattle Oridances, and Campus Regulations. All with more and more limiting rules.

MNH pretty much answered my question. Shipping might be a problem, but it could be difficult for an officer to say an auto is an auto if it didn't fire.

Tom,
The answer is I have a family full of attorneys...but is there such thing as a good one
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~Mitch


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My Hobby Page
 
thats no way to talk about your dad.... BTW, how much wood could a woodchuck chuck? and when are you going to get here?
 
I think if an auto does not have its engine, then it could hardly be considered an auto. It would be just a piece of metal.

Of course if you push it down a hill and let gravity do all the work, a policeman could probably still make a case for your auto actually being mobile, but not really Self propelled.

People can take the meaning of words all sorts of different ways. Be careful. Be safe.

Paracelsus
 
I live in Texas.

We're all cowboys here.
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I can carry a 5 and 1/2 inch fixed bladed knife as long as it is not concealed. With a CCW license, I can carry a loaded hand-cannon as long as it is concealed. I can also carry a loaded shotgun on my passenger's car seat (which pisses my wife right the heck off because I make her ride in the back
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But if I carry a 6" OAL Genuine Italian Switchblade I'm breaking State Law, and by definition (it came from Italy, afterall...) I'm breaking Federal Law.

Go figure...

Brandon

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Quis ut Deus
 
Muzzlepup,

A Slungshot is not a Slingshot.

A "slungshot" was a handbraided (from rope) Sailor's blackjack that had a wooden, steel, lead or brass ball in it for weight.

Unless the provision states, "slingshots," you can own a slingshot, wrist rocket or "David" Sling.

Slungshot gets lumped in with, "blackjack, billy or sap..." right along with metal knuckles and whatnot, Maryland has the law as well. It is not a typo in the law. It is a specific type of weapon.

Brandon,

I heard you can carry a 5.5 inch fixed blade in Texas concealed as long as it was not double edged. Of course, switchblades are a no-no too. I have a friend that lives near you that is researching if you can carry a Switcheroo under an exemption in the CHL.



[This message has been edited by Don Rearic (edited 12-04-2000).]
 
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