Is Robo-Power a dangerous weapon in Mass?

A

attycutler28

Joined
Apr 20, 2006
Messages
2
Have a client who was arrested for posessing a Camillus Robo Powered Cuda knife.

Mass. Statute prohibits knives with an "automatic spring release device by which the blade is released from the handle."

It was explained to me that 'Robo-Powered" is an "assisted opening" device rather than a spring release device.

I'm just looking for a little more info on this. Especially would like to know where I can find out if there is in fact a spring inside the knife. The Camillus website doesn't seem to have this info.

Client is in custody awaiting trial so any help would be much appreciated.
 
There is a spring inside, but the knife has to be opened something like 30 degrees before the assistance kicks in unlike automatics where it is just a push of a button that allows the blade to deploy. I never bought assisted opening knives for that same reason. That a LEO or judge may consider it an automatic knife, and the knife doesn't even offer me much more convenience. Was your client just carry the knife, working with it or doing something that he shouldn't be doing?
 
Kershaw has tried hard to explain the difference between assisted openers and automatic knives, try to search for articles related to it (speed-safe)
Also look at the http://www.kershawknives.com/large.htm section: Technology - All about Speed-Safe

Especially - "Because the user must manually overcome the torsion bar's resistance, Speed-Safe (replace with "assisted openers" :)) knives fall fully outside the Federal definition of a switchblade."
You can also try to contact Camillus:
http://www.camillusknives.com/contact.shtml
and ask for their expression.
 
The laws on knives in Mass is much like the ones in Canada:
( a) a knife that has a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife

And I totally legally carry a heat on me everytime I have clothes on :) Tell them it's legal in Canada. And since not a lot of knives are legal to carry in Canada (even to own), it should be ok.
 
Just my 2 cents. I don't carry knives that may be looked down upon under the eyes of the law. If I ever get into a situation where I am arrested or a judge gives me a heavy sentence because one or the other or both doesn't fully understand the knife laws, there goes my job. Just not worth it. I don't have the time or money to fight it. I recommend avoiding the whole situation all together.
 
Thank you for info. Client was passenger in vehicle that had an "odor of marijuana." He wasn't doing anything with knife. In fact he volunteered it prior to a pat-frisk.
 
I second the motion about contacting BR Levine. He's the one I'd insist my legal representative get an opinion from. He's very experienced in this field.
 
What the knife manuf. believes or publishes will not change the local opinion of the LEO who makes the arrest or the prosecutor and judge who interpret the local/state laws.

IMHO the assist design is so close to automatic/switch blade descriptions in legal terms,,,,it is just not worth the potential grief if the court decides to interpret against the owner.

Remember, it is not someones personal opinion or the manuf. description,,,,,,it is the prosecutor and judge who will decide what the law actually means in their jurisdiction.

Regards,
FK
 
FK,,,,THANKS, someone finally understands it is the law of the state that counts, not knife makers marketing, or arm chair opions......
 
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