Letter from US Customs Service regarding CRKT Seizures

Brad;The way I believe that statute "should" be interpeted is:"Releases blade from handle by gravity or centrifugal force"I think it means released to a locked position that it can be utilized as a knife.I think veryone here would agree,that if I disengage the lock on a bali and let the handle and blade swing down from gravity,it is not able to function as a knife or stabbing implement in that state.However;I do think the statute is written in a poor language which my be interpeted howvever they see fit.This is obviously the problem with some of the states statutes.A liner lock is designed to open with a thumbstud normally,if someone opens it with the flick of the wrist after loosening the pivot pin,it is still being used not for it's intended design.Eventually someone might win in court,but at great financial costs.I guess we all have to hope we run into enforcment personnel that can interpet intention of a given statute.Thanks for bringing up the statute Brad,helps give everybody including myself insight as to why these laws may be getting interpeted in this manner.Ralph
 
This is a new thing to me, I've never had a problem, till a few weeks ago. I was walking in the mall and was nearly arrested for pulling out my knife to cut a piece of my pantleg that had worn off into a trailing thread of cloth, about a half foot long. I was on the spot grabbed and slammed into the ground, and my knife blade nearly broken, and shuved into my own wrist. After they had me handcuffed, I managed to talk my way out of a arrest and my knife being taken by threatening a lawsuit on brutality. Thank fully the police here are on their toes about that. Still he warned me next time I better not have the knife, or he would arrest me. The knife in question was a small folder only a 3 inch blade, and opened by thumbstud. This is considered by the officer as a Gravity knife, a new term to me then. Even though the blade is tight in its pivot screw he saw the fast opening and thought he had me on a illegal weapons charge. Lucky me I tighten all my knives so that they do not open in my pocket. Thus I am now Looking in to this, thankfully my father is a sherrif deputy. He knows the laws giving me a defense against the ******* cops in my town, Tallahassee. Even my father does not like them as a whole. So here is my advice for now, KNOW YOUR LAWS WELL. Also, I think its time for a full scale petition. Start one in you town, I know I will be.

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I can draw any knife I want, I just can't afford to make it, or buy it.....
 
I see where your coming from but I think the use of the words centrifugal force is what would apply to a balisong or folder with a loose pivot pin. I also agree that the law is written poorly. Really I think the switchblade laws in general are outdated. I'm sure there was a time that switchblades were a real problem but I just don't see that now.
 
Brad1407, I think that you are right, that the laws had to be modified to cover the Bali-Songs. They were intended to cover gravity blades such as the German paratroop knives that open if you hold them blade down and release a toggle. I have one as a collector's item (now) and it would make a rather nasty fighter. Of course, it also has the habit of letting the blade slip out, partway, in my pocket. That was why I initially retired it to colector status, then I learned how illegal it was to carry and how valuable a WWII collectible like it possibly could be.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
I could take my Government approved automobile and remove the gas cap, insert a long fuse and make a bomb out of it, maybe it should be seized.

I could take a bottle of milk, pour it on a sidewalk in sub freezing temperatures and create a serious hazard to public safety, maybe milk should be seized.

I could take a government that is sworn to uphold the Constitution and ... oh, never mind!

[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 01-02-2001).]
 
I do feel that almost everyone here has missed the point. While we are fighting over the scraps left to us by the arbitrary rules imposed on us by our govt, the simple fact and truth of the matter is that it shouldnt matter if it is a gravity, balisong, thumbstud, auto, whatever. None of these knives should be illegal in the first place.
Period.
 
Had to light this fire.

CRK&T today and who tomorrow?

The mighty Constitution has been relegated to mere "quaint" status.
 
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