Kershaw's SpeedSafe. What's the Latest?

recondoc1

recondoc1

Joined
Apr 27, 2001
Messages
595
Anybody know what the latest legal angle is on the SpeedSafe action?
I was recently visiting a friends gunshop here in San Antonio and went to show him my old and trusty Ricochete. As he opened it, the first thing he said was "Too bad this is illegal". I started explaining to him about Speed Safe as opposed to automatic but he wasn't listening. He informed me that the month before, the friendly folks from ATF had been by, seen the Whirlwinds that he was selling, and told him that they were now considered "illegal" and had him pull them from the display.
Anybody know when the laws on this changed? Perhaps this is the work of one poorly informed and overzealous ATF Agent?

BTW. I never did understand why they need a bureau to control three of the best things in the world. Without Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, it just ain't much of a party.:D
Doc
 
Originally posted by recondoc1
Perhaps this is the work of one poorly informed and overzealous ATF Agent?
Click to expand...


Don't underestimate the BATF...I'm sure it's way more than just one :D
 
Originally posted by recondoc1
Without Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, it just ain't much of a party.
Click to expand...

Amen brother.
 
I've been wondering that too. I remember a few months back when a guy posted that he had been ticketed (and knife confiscated) with a gross misdemeanor for a speedsafe knife in Washington State. For the first week everyone thought it was a joke/troll, but eventually Ken Onion and Kershaw got involved to the point of (if I'm not mistaken) Kershaw giving the guy $2000 or so for a lawyer. I've searched for this thread and can't find it any more.
What's up? Kershaw? Ken Onion? Anyone that really knows care to comment?

And for some reason I feel like having a beer and a smoke while I fire a shotgun into the air.

OK, I looked a little more and here is the original thread that I was speaking about. It's a good read even if you don't care about the speedsafe knives because it kind of shows human nature at it's best and worst. But it doesn't actually tell you any legal status.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=175875&highlight=ken+onion
 
Why not call the BATF and ask them?

Depending on someone from an internet forum to tell you what is legal and what is not is not a good idea.
 
Well, I am getting the feeling that I don't need to call the BATF to see if it's "a good idea" because I am getting the impresion that it's not.
 
Since when is it ATF's job to regulate knives? Isn't this the same agency that won't even talk about airguns because they're not "firearms"?

Chris
 
Originally posted by logan5
Well, I am getting the feeling that I don't need to call the BATF to see if it's "a good idea" because I am getting the impresion that it's not.
Click to expand...

I'm talking about what is legal and what is not, not about "what's a good idea"...what I would call a good idea I'm sure differs quite dramatically from what the BATF would call a good idea..

Thankfully, the BATF's version of what is a good idea does not determine what is legal and what is not.

But hey, if you want to let the BATF influence what you carry or don't carry, based on nothing more than their personal like or dislike instead of what is legal, you can safely do that...although again, calling them to ask would still be a better idea than relying on someone here to tell you.
 
Me and the BATF having different ideas was kind of my point.

My next point would be the very fact that we are having this discussion is a good indication that, depending on your location/local laws, you might want to really consider what knife you are carrying.
My big problem with the speedsafe is the fact that even we (your more than basic knife knut) needs to have it explained as to why the speedsafe knife isn't illegal. And to me the explanation sounds much to like someone was speaking with a lawyer that was thinking creatively a little too much for my personal comfort. Just because I am not pushing a “button” to release a spring, but rather I am pushing a protrusion to activate a torsion bar to get the blade open, to me I don’t see it as being very different and I bet most Cops that you talk to wouldn’t see it very different either.
Now don’t get me wrong, I like autos. I have two Italian Switchblades and a couple of under 2” autos. But I don’t carry them. The switchblades are out of the question and the smaller ones are just fun, but not great EDC’s so I show them off sometimes is all. I even like some of the Kershaw knives, but I don’t want to rely on LEO to take the same view on the speedsafe as I have.

Just my 2-cent’s worth.
 
The speed safe thing would not be an issue in San Antonio anyway. All knives with locking blades are illegal. The speed safe issue is moot. Sometimes you have to wonder what the heck San Antonio is doing in a great state like Texas. What a city of idiot sheeple.

Don't know why this was passed...but here's the direct link.

Sec. 21-17. Certain knives prohibited generally; exceptions; penalty for violation.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly carry on or about his person a knife with a blade less than five and one-half (51/2) inches in length, which knife is equipped with a lock mechanism so that upon opening, it becomes a fixed blade knife.

(b) The above prohibition set forth in subsection (a) shall not be applicable to a person carrying such a knife:

(1) In the actual discharge of his duties as a peace officer, a member of the armed forces or national guard, or a guard employed by a penal institution;

(2) On his own premises or premises under his control;

(3) Traveling;

(4) Engaged in lawful hunting, fishing or other lawful sporting activity; or

(5) Using such a knife in connection with a lawful occupation, during such utilization.

(Code 1959, § 26-28.1)

Cross references: Regulation of firearms and weapons, § 21-151 et seq.; possession of a knife, § 21-155.
Click to expand...


BTW, http://www.municode.com is a great resource for finding many local knife (and other) laws.
 
Well, since the BATF are federal, then they would be illegal in all states.
Someone had better tell the Walmart here in North Carolina, they're selling the Chive and the Scallion.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
Dang man, the San Antonio law is a complete bummer. A regular Joe in San Antonio would have to carry a slip joint to be legal. A Buck 110 is illegal to carry...give me a break. The madness is never going to end until liberals create the utopian world.

According to the San Antonio law, a Mad Maxx with a 7 inch blade would be legal, I think, since the law did say a blade of 5.5 inches or less. Big D1
 
Originally posted by Big D1
According to the San Antonio law, a Mad Maxx with a 7 inch blade would be legal, I think, since the law did say a blade of 5.5 inches or less. Big D1
Click to expand...

I thought there was a State Law in Texas that kept folders under 5.5", a target length for many "mega-folders".
 
The knife is legal as long as you're traveling? WTF :confused: ? And fixed blades are legal, but folding knives that lock into a fixed position to "become a fixed blade" are not :rolleyes: ? A blade greater than5.5 inches is legal? When's the last time you've seen a "less than" law? This has got to be one of the strangest set of knife statutes that I've seen (then again I'm not in the habit of reading other state laws). Big D1 is right, that's a real bummer.
 
Yeah Boys,
You got to see San Antonio sheeple law passing at it's best with that one. Seems that back about 1981 there were a few (As in less than 3) guys who were playing toughguy and intimidating folks with Buck 110 that they had oiled up. This was suddenly refered to as an epidemic crisis of Biblical proportion and the rest is history. Nobody as a citizen group voted for the stupid law. Our city council just made it an ordinance. Cops generally are very selective in enforcing it and for the most part, I'm a criminal on a daily basis.
It sucks and is stupid. If I can figure out how to go about getting it repealed, I'm going to have a blast. Meanwhile, I'll carry a heavily concealed 5-5.5" fixed blade and be perfectly legal.
Doc:mad:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top