NYC: BM Mini-AFCK is a gravity knife???

K Williams

K Williams

Joined
Nov 17, 1998
Messages
3,296
A police officer in the subway stopped me, then asked to see my knife. He opened it a few times and claimed that the BM Mini-AFCK was a gravity knife and that they are illegal in NYC because they can be opened by flicking the wrist. I expained to him that all pocket knives can be opened this way. I actually learned how to open knives like that with a Buck 110 knock off over 20 years ago. To make a long story short, he gave it back to me after asking me what I do for a living, and told me to put it away. This happened last weekend while coming from the NY Motorcycle Show.

For those New Yorkers on the forum, be careful out there. You can end up with a weapons charge by having a regular folding knife.

Time for me to get the out of this city... :(
 
Just curious, how were you carrying the knife? Was it visible and that was the reason the officer stopped you?
 
theonew said:
Just curious, how were you carrying the knife? Was it visible and that was the reason the officer stopped you?
Click to expand...

Clipped to the front pocket of my Carhartt pants. He must have seen the clip. Yeah, that was the reason I was stopped. I was walking down the platform minding my own business. He stopped me, and the questions started. IWB for me from now on...
 
Yep, concealed carry is the law here. You're lucky you got your knife back, you must have handled the situation well :)

On the concealed carry note, I was in a midtown Post Office during some high alert day, some bigwig visiting the city or something, and had a Bark River Tusk in a kydex sheath in my front pocket. The knife is a FB and well below the 4 inch limit and was fully concealed in the sense that no part of the blade or sheath was sticking out of my pocket. But I guess it was printing somehow because while I was doing my business I noticed a police officer staring at me, he followed me around the whole time I was there and even watched as I left. It made me pretty nervous, even though I knew I wasn't breaking any laws :grumpy:
 
Your Benchmade is not a gravity knife, but the crooked NYC authorities have managed to get some people to believe that it is. 1.) It's a money grab. 2.) It's much easier to criminalize law-abiing citizens than to pursue the actual criminals.
 
If the blade of your knife doesn't lock open it's not a "gravity knife". Any non-locking folder with a blade under 4" is legal in NYC.
 
K Williams said:
A police officer in the subway stopped me, then asked to see my knife. He opened it a few times and claimed that the BM Mini-AFCK was a gravity knife and that they are illegal in NYC because they can be opened by flicking the wrist.
Click to expand...

Yes, under NYC law, the Benchmade Axis Lock knives are an illegal carry - because they can be "flicked" open and lock in the open position.

Any knife that you can do that with is an illegal carry in NYC.



How's your slipjoint collection?
 
I think something important needs to be pointed out here. The officer gave the knife back and did not issue a ticket. This action I feel translates as the following from the officer:

"The law in New York makes this a gravity knife. Yes, I know full well what a real gravity knife is; I think this law is STUPID. But I'm a cop, and I don't make the laws I'm obligated to enforce. Blame your state legislature and politicians. Because I know this law is dumb and you seem decent, I'll let you go, but be warned that the next cop you meet might not feel the same way."
 
rifon2 said:
Yes, under NYC law, the Benchmade Axis Lock knives are an illegal carry - because they can be "flicked" open and lock in the open position.

Any knife that you can do that with is an illegal carry in NYC.



How's your slipjoint collection?
Click to expand...

This is the old liner lock Mini-AFCK. Give me 95%(probably closer to 100%) of locking, folding knives and I'll be able to flick them open.

Slip joint. Hmmm... my Sears stockman(my first knife) was stolen from our apartment when I was probably 12. I have a bunch of SAKs, and a Queen stockman. Maybe time to carry the Victorinox Trekker(what were they called before...Trailmaster I think? I got mine before the name change.). LOL :rolleyes:
 
rifon2 said:
True, but be careful on how you measure the blade length.
Click to expand...

I measure it from tip to the handle, that rules out any misunderstandings. Not that that makes a difference. Cops still use the 4 finger/palm width measuring system. If I did that, I'd be able to carry a 4.25"+ blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top