NYS Assisted question

T

TonyL_NY

Joined
Nov 24, 2015
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For NYS, Northern NY and not the city, does anyone have info on the legality of the CRKT knives with OutBurst Assisted Opening? In my area, being rural, a random problem isn't too likely, I don't think. Like a stop and frisk or a walking beat cop. But I do ride a motorcycle and so the pocket clip could be viewable during a traffic stop. Something I wouldn't experience in a car. Had one stop last season and they asked because it was in plain view. Said it was a nice blade and made a note as if he was interested in one for himself. he area isn't quite Mayberry, but... lol

I have an M16-01Z from CRKT that's been great. But considering a newer, maybe slightly larger option for more comfortable handling. Interested in a Fire Spark or Endorser but not sure if I'd be asking for trouble.

Thoughts? Input? Other knives to consider? Not hung up on the assisted opening by any means. Actually prefer to not have it to avoid the hassle/headache of legalities. Just really like the overall design of those two knives.
 
Good question, I'd like to hear some input as well. Probably a call to a local LE office might be in order. Assisted openers are sold all over the state, but technically they could be interpreted as a switchblade if the local DA wanted to run you through the wringer.
 
Finally a reply. Someone as curious as I am. But a reply. lol

I may have to catch one of the local PD guys at the gas station some morning this week. Buy him a cup of coffee and ask him. I noticed a couple assisted openers at Gander Mountain and one at Walmart locally. But I'm not sure I want that to be my sole gauge on such an ambiguous thing, given the way NYS laws read. I'll post back what I find out.
 
Actually, you need to check with a criminal defense attorney. They will know the laws more accurately than MOST LEOs. Nothing against LEOs, but they have much more important stuff to remember than knife laws. Every one of them that I have spoken to about the subject says that training on knife laws in certification classes is almost non-existent, especially since Texas' knife law is now very straight forward.

From the varied responses I've seen on NYS law, only a criminal attorney is going to be up to speed on all the nuances.
 
Per the wording of NY law, since assisted openers need to be pushed on some part of the blade to open, they are not a switchblade. That doesn't mean the overall pattern of the knife cannot be interpreted as a "dangerous knife", but at least it doesn't match up as a switch blade.

Also, most assisted openers are pretty stout on the retention pressure, so also difficult to open with a wrist flick - not a gravity knife either.

Personally I kicked over to smaller fixed blades years ago partly because of ambiguity in NY knife law and how regional LE enforce it. Is entirely possible a judge somewhere might decide that the AO does satisfy the definition of a switchblade...

"Switchblade Knife" means any knife which has a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife.
Click to expand...
 
Honestly, it depends on where you live. The general state law's still the same, but varies from county to county. As for the county where I live, you can own but not carry spring-assisted blades, depending on location. But the next county over, within a 10 min walk, they're legal. So yeah, check with your local police department.

I say "depending on location" because I still see people carrying spring assisted blades in the park and such. So there's always gonna be that grey area.
 
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