Selling a auto knife to someone in NY

M

mc556

Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
354
I have a Microtech ultratech for sale in another forum and the buyer is in New York State.
Anyway is it on me to make sure he can own it or could I be liable for selling it to him.
I know they can have one for hunting etc but NY makes me nervous and I don't want to get in trouble.
Advice would be welcomed
 
First it illegal to sell them to anyone but law enforcement in NYS. The ownership of them for fishing/hunting/ trapping does exisit but it does not allow for the sale of them to persons licensed to do so. NYS has gone after large sellers in the past and present accross state lines for the delivery of both switchblades and gravity knives to NYS buyers. Chances are you would be OK, but you are committing a crime by NYS law ( and most likely two Federal laws no matter what state you send it to). The person buying it stands a better chance of getting in trouble for owning it in NYS. As always, when you break the law you take the chance of getting caught and dealing with all the issues that involves. The fact that others do it and have not been caught has never been a comforting fact to me.....
 
Also,I think it's illegal to ship autos using USPS.I think UPS or FedEx is okay.
 
You are worrying over nothing. Do you know how many illegal items are shipped into NYS everyday?! Guns, knives, you name it. They would have to hire hundreds if not thousands of workers to inspect all the mail that comes into New York!! Sending one little Auto pocket knife, I wouldn't worry about it!! Just dont write Switchblade inside! on the box and you ll do ok! :)
 
Well you could listen to the responses before the last one, or listen to the last one and just act like a criminal.....I must admit having attended the graduation on Friday of the last NYPD class, his advise has a certain appeal....It is called job security for all those new recruits! Follow the law is the only sane advise one can give you since you asked.....
 
I've decided just to keep it as I don't really need the money and its not worth the hassle.
Honestly it's a shame as they are pretty much a novelty
 
I totally agree the laws are wrong and make no sense, but at this moment they are the laws....Joing KnifeRights to help change them legally!!
 
mc556: I'm a resident of NYS, and I think you made the right choice. For one, it's illegal, for another, if it ends up in the wrong PART of New York, it's gonna get found. I agree that you could join KnifeRights, their the best organization you can possibly support if you want this stuff to change.
 
Striderco said:
You are worrying over nothing. Do you know how many illegal items are shipped into NYS everyday?! Guns, knives, you name it. They would have to hire hundreds if not thousands of workers to inspect all the mail that comes into New York!! Sending one little Auto pocket knife, I wouldn't worry about it!! Just dont write Switchblade inside! on the box and you ll do ok! :)
Click to expand...

I like the way you think man.

OP I would just protect yourself by posting in the for sale add that you are not responsible for knowing the buyers local laws, but they must abide. Maybe treat it like a sale out of the country and ask for paypal gift and say its that its over and done with once it leaves your hands at the shipping company.
 
whateatsrabbits said:
I like the way you think man.

OP I would just protect yourself by posting in the for sale add that you are not responsible for knowing the buyers local laws, but they must abide. Maybe treat it like a sale out of the country and ask for paypal gift and say its that its over and done with once it leaves your hands at the shipping company.
Click to expand...
That doesn't change the fact that the seller is still on the hook for violating federal laws. It may be a stupid, nonsense law, but it will still carry penalties bigger than he may want to pay if his package happens to be the one that gets damaged and the contents fall out, thus revealing an illegally shipped item.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top