Switchblade Act

V

Vlade

Joined
Feb 8, 2020
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Being that the switchblade Act is so old and outdated is it possible that it may be repealed? Let's face it the only reason why automatic knives are illegal is due to movies like James Dean and such. The old wives tale was juvenile delinquents and gang members used them. I know we are a nation of laws. Do you think they will ever repeal such an outdated obsolete law? Especially since some states have legalized them already? I'm pretty sure if a gang member wanted to hurt somebody the last thing he would look for would be an automatic knife. What can we do as knife enthusiasts to try to get the law changed? If anything.?
 
Kniferights.org tried it back in 2018 by writing a bill to repeal the Switchblade Act, but it didn't go anywhere- https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/knife-owner's-protection-act-including-federal-switchblade-act-repeal-introduced-in-senate.1600051/

That was over four years ago. Clearly there isn't enough interest in DC on the subject. Considering how broken, corrupt, and incompetent the federal government is, I wouldn't hold my breath that they will do anything intelligent like repealing the Switchblade Act. Unless politicians can score big political points, or raise money for themselves and their party, they aren't likely to do anything about anything. And repealing the Switchblade Act just isn't something millions of Americans are calling for.

On the bright side, it would appear that the feds are too occupied with other matters to spend time and resources to pursue and prosecute violations of the Switchblade Act. The last federal prosecution of the Switchblade Act that I have been able to find was the prosecution of Spyderco in 2007.
 
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Forest Ninja said:
Personally, I think most weapon laws are useless. Criminals aren't going to abide by them.
It's the punishment for crimes using weapons that need improving.
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This!
Weapons safety laws can make sense, but the reality is that the overwhelming majority are weapons control laws which simply limit law-abiding people who actually care about following the law. 100% agree that the solution ought to be to focus on punishment of crimes using weapons.
 
Constitutional Carry for firearms goes into effect for everyone in Florida July 1. (For non felons or domestic violence convictions.) So no one will need a CWP to carry a concealed firearm on them in Florida.

I have always carried an auto when I want to, because when you have a CWP and a gun on you I consider an automatic a "common pocket knife" and I never had a problem.

That being said, the federal switchblade act definitely needs repealed. I doubt it will happen, I don't think they understand most normal pocket knives open faster than autos, but it would be nice if they did.
 
I'm from Florida,, however I currently reside in Puerto Rico. The law here has changed as well. Anyone can get and carry a gun. Never used to be like that. We have a dual licence. Your weapons license doubles as a concealed carry permit. Under the Old Law it used to take 2 years and you had to go through a million hoops just to get a gun. And you needed an attorney and it costs around $3,000 . Now it costs around $300 for the license they have 7-Day shall issue no more screwing around no more attorney you just have to pass the batf check which is normal. So now Puerto Rico is a second amendment Commonwealth. And we have reciprocity with all 50 states . However as far as automatic knives go, under the national switch blade Act. The possession of an automatic knife in any Indian Territory or any other territory including Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Marianna Islands Etc possession is against the law. They're not illegal under the state law here but under the federal law they are illegal. Unless you have an exemption. It's the stupidest law I've ever read in my life.

How are things back home? I miss the Everglades.
 
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Microbevel said:
Constitutional Carry for firearms goes into effect for everyone in Florida July 1. (For non felons or domestic violence convictions.) So no one will need a CWP to carry a concealed firearm on them in Florida.

I have always carried an auto when I want to, because when you have a CWP and a gun on you I consider an automatic a "common pocket knife" and I never had a problem.

That being said, the federal switchblade act definitely needs repealed. I doubt it will happen, I don't think they understand most normal pocket knives open faster than autos, but it would be nice if they did.
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Enkrig said:
This!
Weapons safety laws can make sense, but the reality is that the overwhelming majority are weapons control laws which simply limit law-abiding people who actually care about following the law. 100% agree that the solution ought to be to focus on punishment of crimes using weapons.
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Indeed a criminal is not going to legally purchase anything as far as a weapon. They buy their guns from Louie on the corner. We need Crime Control not gun control or automatic knife control. That's why they call them criminals.
 
Vlade said:
I'm from Florida,, however I currently reside in Puerto Rico. The law here has changed as well. Anyone can get and carry a gun. Never used to be like that. We have a dual licence. Your weapons license doubles as a concealed carry permit. Under the Old Law it used to take 2 years and you had to go through a million hoops just to get a gun. And you needed an attorney and it costs around $3,000 . Now it costs around $300 for the license they have 7-Day shall issue no more screwing around no more attorney you just have to pass the batf check which is normal. So now Puerto Rico is a second amendment Commonwealth. And we have reciprocity with all 50 states . However as far as automatic knives go, under the national switch blade Act. The possession of an automatic knife in any Indian Territory or any other territory including Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Marianna Islands Etc possession is against the law. They're not illegal under the state law here but under the federal law they are illegal. Unless you have an exemption. It's the stupidest law I've ever read in my life.

How are things back home? I miss the Everglades.
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Things are good here, in Florida but the people moving here is insane.
 
Totally agree with crime control. Most courts seem to be reluctant in the punishment for said crimes. A good percentage of crimes seem to be committed by the mentally disturbed portion of our society. I don’t know why this issue has not been addressed in a more robust manner?
 
Keepitkeen said:
Totally agree with crime control. Most courts seem to be reluctant in the punishment for said crimes. A good percentage of crimes seem to be committed by the mentally disturbed portion of our society. I don’t know why this issue has not been addressed in a more robust manner?
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I don't know about that, I think it's just an excuse, they say oh he might have and probably had mental issues. But the truth of it is there are true criminals out there, who go out just to mug people or worse. I'm sure there's some mental cases out there no doubt however at least in my area it's crime is mostly drug and gang related where a normal civilian wouldn't be anyway. Especially at 2:30 in the morning. But I'm sure it is some crazies out there...

The reason why this has not been addressed is due to the fact that once you give the anti-gunners in inch they want a yard. It's a slippery slope. You can't give them not even the benefit of the doubt because they're out just to grab everybody's guns. Sorry for the long post. And you know they're definitely probably never going to repeal the switchblade act why? dunno:)
 
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