Critter
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[This post approved for General Knife Discussion by Spark]
The City of New York has agreed to pay $7,500 to a falsely arrested knife owner in a Knife Rights supported case. The embarrassing settlement shows that the city would rather pay than try to justify its illegal conduct after police declared his knife an illegal "gravity knife" even though the blade did not lock open. The knife owner (a sculptor who uses a knife for his work) was arrested, handcuffed, booked, and placed in a holding cell like a common criminal.
"New York City's outrageous persecution of those with common pocket knives must end. This is just one of thousands of similar outrageous excesses by the City and DA. Knife Rights will continue to fight these unconstitutional abuses by the City until we win" said Doug Ritter, Chairman of Knife Rights.
The settlement results from the City's particularly egregious mistreatment of law-abiding knife owner Jonathan W. (name withheld at his request). Jonathan was carrying a Spyderco UK Pen Knife with a non-locking blade (a key element of the state's Gravity Knife definition) in New York City when he was arrested for possession of an illegal "gravity knife." After considerable effort the charges in the case were dismissed and Knife Rights then referred Jonathan to attorney Richard Holzberg of Ernest Holzberg and Associates. Holszberg recently obtained a settlement of $7,500.00 for Jonathan's wrongful arrest, incarceration and malicious prosecution for carrying a pocket knife that was New York City legal, even considering the City's continued unconstitutional application of state law against owners of common folding knives.
For more details on this case and important information for anyone carrying a knife in New York City, go to: http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=284
Knife Rights' fight to stop the persecution of knife owners in New York City and to prevent this from spreading to other cities will continue. Click here to read the latest news on Knife Rights' Federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr.
Please support this lawsuit with a tax-deductible charitable contribution to the Knife Rights Foundation
WARNING: New York City has interpreted the state law against gravity knives such that if an officer can "wrist flick" the knife blade open, or alleges that the knife might be able to be opened in such a manner, and the knife blade locks open, that knife is an illegal gravity knife. NYC takes this position even if it requires multiple tries and use of exaggerated arm thrust or motion. Using this interpretation, most any lockblade knife might be deemed an illegal gravity knife.
Note also that New York City administrative code has an under-4-inch length limit and requires knives be carried concealed. Knife Rights recommends that you never carry your knife clipped to your pocket in New York City. Even when covered by a jacket, simply moving the jacket aside to get to a wallet has been enough to get folks arrested. Always ensure your knife is completely concealed at all times, including not "printing" on the outside of your clothing. In addition, be extremely circumspect about using a knife for any purpose in a public setting.
The City of New York has agreed to pay $7,500 to a falsely arrested knife owner in a Knife Rights supported case. The embarrassing settlement shows that the city would rather pay than try to justify its illegal conduct after police declared his knife an illegal "gravity knife" even though the blade did not lock open. The knife owner (a sculptor who uses a knife for his work) was arrested, handcuffed, booked, and placed in a holding cell like a common criminal.
"New York City's outrageous persecution of those with common pocket knives must end. This is just one of thousands of similar outrageous excesses by the City and DA. Knife Rights will continue to fight these unconstitutional abuses by the City until we win" said Doug Ritter, Chairman of Knife Rights.
The settlement results from the City's particularly egregious mistreatment of law-abiding knife owner Jonathan W. (name withheld at his request). Jonathan was carrying a Spyderco UK Pen Knife with a non-locking blade (a key element of the state's Gravity Knife definition) in New York City when he was arrested for possession of an illegal "gravity knife." After considerable effort the charges in the case were dismissed and Knife Rights then referred Jonathan to attorney Richard Holzberg of Ernest Holzberg and Associates. Holszberg recently obtained a settlement of $7,500.00 for Jonathan's wrongful arrest, incarceration and malicious prosecution for carrying a pocket knife that was New York City legal, even considering the City's continued unconstitutional application of state law against owners of common folding knives.
For more details on this case and important information for anyone carrying a knife in New York City, go to: http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=284
Knife Rights' fight to stop the persecution of knife owners in New York City and to prevent this from spreading to other cities will continue. Click here to read the latest news on Knife Rights' Federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr.
Please support this lawsuit with a tax-deductible charitable contribution to the Knife Rights Foundation
WARNING: New York City has interpreted the state law against gravity knives such that if an officer can "wrist flick" the knife blade open, or alleges that the knife might be able to be opened in such a manner, and the knife blade locks open, that knife is an illegal gravity knife. NYC takes this position even if it requires multiple tries and use of exaggerated arm thrust or motion. Using this interpretation, most any lockblade knife might be deemed an illegal gravity knife.
Note also that New York City administrative code has an under-4-inch length limit and requires knives be carried concealed. Knife Rights recommends that you never carry your knife clipped to your pocket in New York City. Even when covered by a jacket, simply moving the jacket aside to get to a wallet has been enough to get folks arrested. Always ensure your knife is completely concealed at all times, including not "printing" on the outside of your clothing. In addition, be extremely circumspect about using a knife for any purpose in a public setting.
