User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 6:58:47 PM EDT
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=100679
WEAPONS OF CHOICE Obama move would eliminate 8 of 10 pocketknives 'If this were to pass and you cross the state line with one, it's a felony' Posted: June 09, 2009 8:40 pm Eastern By Bob Unruh © 2009 WorldNetDaily
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency is proposing a new definition that could be used to eliminate 8 of 10 legal pocketknives in the United States right now, according to activists who are gearing up to fight the plan. The federal bureaucracy is accepting comments – written only – that must be received by June 21 before its planned changes could become final, but Doug Ritter of KnifeRights.org, said the implications of the decision would be far-reaching, since many state and federal agencies depend on the agency's definitions to determine what is legal in the United States. For a long time, those switchblades that have long stiletto blades that are spring-ejected powerfully from the side or end of the handle have been illegal in the United States, but now a review by the agency of its own approval in 2008 of a particular type of knife for import is raising serious alarms. Ritter said the effect of the proposed change would be that the new design in knives, many of which contain a tiny spring to help the user pull open the blade and lock it into position, would be classified alongside those true weapons where the user just presses a button and the blade is ejected.
 WEAPONS OF CHOICE Obama move would eliminate 8 of 10 pocketknives 'If this were to pass and you cross the state line with one, it's a felony' Posted: June 09, 2009 8:40 pm Eastern By Bob Unruh © 2009 WorldNetDaily
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency is proposing a new definition that could be used to eliminate 8 of 10 legal pocketknives in the United States right now, according to activists who are gearing up to fight the plan. The federal bureaucracy is accepting comments – written only – that must be received by June 21 before its planned changes could become final, but Doug Ritter of KnifeRights.org, said the implications of the decision would be far-reaching, since many state and federal agencies depend on the agency's definitions to determine what is legal in the United States. For a long time, those switchblades that have long stiletto blades that are spring-ejected powerfully from the side or end of the handle have been illegal in the United States, but now a review by the agency of its own approval in 2008 of a particular type of knife for import is raising serious alarms. Ritter said the effect of the proposed change would be that the new design in knives, many of which contain a tiny spring to help the user pull open the blade and lock it into position, would be classified  "They are saying that any knife that you can open quickly or any knife that you can open with one hand is therefore a switchblade," Ritter told WND. On his organization's website there are suggested letters for consumers to reproduce and dispatch to both the Customs agency as well as their members of Congress over the issue. Ritter suggested that up to 80 percent of the pocketknives sold in America today either are one-handed opening knives or so-called assisted opening knives – and they all suddenly would be classified as illegal switchblades. The agency change came in a case involving a knife called the "VanHoy Assist," whose importers were represented in a request for affirmation of its legality by a San Francisco law firm. Such determinations are not unusual since an importer does not want to have a shipment of products sitting on a ship waiting for unloading only to have a federal agent call them illegal. The knives first were approved by the agency in 2008. But only a few weeks ago, Frederick McCray of the agency's Intellectual Property Rights and Restricted Merchandise Branch did a review. "This is in reference to Headquarters Ruling Letter ('HQ') H032255, dated August 12, 2008, which concerned the admissibility of the 'VanHoy Assist,' a 'release-assisted' knife described below, pursuant to the Switchblade Knife Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1241, et seq. In the referenced ruling, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (hereinafter 'CBP') determined that the knives at issue were admissible into the United States pursuant to the Switchblade Knife Act. We have reconsidered the rationale of, and the admissibility determination made in HQ H032255 and found both to be in error. For the reasons set forth below, we hereby revoke HQ H032255," the letter said. That could mean headaches for the knife industry, Ritter said. "Customs," continued Ritter, "is the only place where the switchblade is interpreted in various rulings. Whenever a federal, state, or local jurisdiction is looking at what a switchblade is, whenever there's a court case or whatever … they will look to the feds." He said the change came after the incoming administration of President Barack Obama reassigned some managers at the agency. "What we do know is when the incoming administration reshuffled assignments at Customs, it moved the responsibility for knives and switchblades from one organization with Customs to a new organization," he said. "That group has, as far we can tell, virtually no experiences, background or anything with knives." Officials with Customs told WND that they do not comment on issues during an open comment period, such as going on for the regulation change right now. "We do not comment on pending proposals for changes in our rulings under 19 USC 1625. We are in the comment period and we will carefully weigh the comments that we receive before deciding whether to proceed to a final decision," the prepared statement e-mailed to WND said. Ritter said the reason for the change isn't clear, "but certainly this administration is no friend to things like knives and guns," he said. A successful campaign to change the definition would mean thousands would be out of work in the knife industry, and the impact would have far-reaching effects. For example, if someone would be caught with a newly-illegal "pocketknife," would the resulting charges be structured to allege that person was dangerous or had an illegal weapon, and how would that change the defendant's right to own a firearm, he wondered. "If this law were to pass and you cross the state line with a folder (pocketknife) in your pocket, it would be a federal felony," he said. In reality, pocketknives are tools, he said. "Certainly they can be used as a weapon." But so could a screw driver or other hand tools. "There are 40 million people in America walking around with pocketknives in their pocket," he said. Further, the majority of crimes committed with knives are done with the "lowly kitchen knife," he said. According to Ritter's website, the proposed revocation of the approval for "assisted opening knives," would impact "most other pocketknives, even simple old-fashioned slip-joints." |
||||
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 6:59:29 PM EDT
[#1]
Welcome to SuperDupe.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 7:02:15 PM EDT
[#2]
Megadupe, and how does it have anything to do with Obama?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 7:06:12 PM EDT
[#3]
dupalicious
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 7:06:33 PM EDT
[#4]
jambog...
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 7:06:42 PM EDT
[#5]
Good thing my push button Benchmade went down with my guns last time I was on the lake.
I hope they don't try to take my leatherman next. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 7:07:50 PM EDT
[#6]
Should I hide my switchblade?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 7:11:26 PM EDT
[#7]
Since when were knives such a pressing issue? I've never understood the "ban" on switchblades.
ETA: Does this affect my Strider folder? 8 in 10 seems like a lot. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 7:12:28 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Should I hide my switchblade? No shit...Fuck, my EDC knife is an auto (side opening) and my spare is an OTF. Obviously, I am much more likely to commit crimes with a fucking pocket knife instead of the fucking Glock on my belt. Fucking retards. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 7:12:56 PM EDT
[#9]
Good thing I carry a fixed blade
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 7:14:47 PM EDT
[#10]
This thread is superduperfragalisticexpeduptastic!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 7:16:48 PM EDT
[#11]
Dupe or not, this is the first time I've read/heard about it.
 Semi-related: Do any states already consider assisted-opening knives as "switchblades" or otherwise illegal for carry?  |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 7:45:03 PM EDT
[#12]
Last i knew in order to carry a butterfly or switch in AZ you needed to have a CCW permit. The shop I bought my butterfly knife at demanded a viewing of the permit before they'd sell it to me, even went on to say that switchblades were the same way. Assisted knives don't appear to be a biggy here, but then no one carries them anyway. Mail phuqing order is the only way. BTW I may be buying my preban assisted knifes sooner than expected. Let the panic buying start.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 10:11:13 PM EDT
[#13]
Great. So are we looking at a run on knives along with guns and ammo?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 10:12:40 PM EDT
[#14]
lol thats so stupid. What are they gonna ban next? Baseball bats?
NICS check on all baseball bat purchases! Its for the children... |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 10:17:56 PM EDT
[#15]
I whole heartedly support this effort. Press forward with vigor sirs!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 10:19:49 PM EDT
[#16]
WND again...
Hint: Most likely the work of an overzealoous desk-jockey, who thinks he gets paid by the new rule... [b]It is not a 'law' that needs to 'pass'... It is an administrative rule-change related to a very old, very stupid law (Fed Switchblade Act).... |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 10:46:15 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
Dupe or not, this is the first time I've read/heard about it.
Semi-related: Do any states already consider assisted-opening knives as "switchblades" or otherwise illegal for carry?
Auto knives are illegal in NH. Let them ban pocket knives... I'll carry a huge fucking bowie on my thigh. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 10:48:16 PM EDT
[#18]
Mines the Ninth. I'm Golden.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 11:00:20 PM EDT
[#19]
America just fell out of the stupid tree...........hit every branch on the way down..........it started with the election of the one.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 11:44:17 PM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
I whole heartedly support this effort. Press forward with vigor sirs! I see what you are doing there. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 6/10/2009 11:46:45 PM EDT
[#21]
dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe dupe
|
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
