[ARCHIVED THREAD] - switchblades (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 7/25/2006 4:06:00 PM EDT
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what is the legality of owning switchblades? |
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In spite of whether you can possess one where you live, they cannot be legally sent thru the mail. If you order one, it will have to be shipped UPS or Fed Ex to be legal under Federal Law. Also, there are specific Federal Properties you cannot legally carry one. Know your laws and you shouldn't have any major issues unless you're a teenaged crackhead who gets pulled over by police at 3AM where you shouldn't be. Assited openers are fun too. But most quality folders can be manually opened even faster if the product is tuned properly and the operator knows how to use his tools. Besides, most cheap autos are over-priced knock-offs. Future Microtech Addict? |
I'd like to believe that...
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Looks like it just can't be concealed |
I always thought they were legal down there. Maybe they aren’t legal, but you can get them there. I have seen them in more than one place. |
Possession of a switchblade is a class A misdemeanor in Texas under sec. 46.05 of the Penal Code However, "It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor's conduct... was incidental to dealing with a switchblade knife... solely as an antique or curio...." |
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No, the best is how my state (VA) defines things: - (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material; - any disc of whatever configuration having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, or like weapons, such person shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. - any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain; |
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I asked about this a while ago, and apparently in Georgia at least, it's legal for me to own an automatic knife, but not to carry it. Now, let that sink in for a minute. I'm legally licensed to carry a fucking gun, with over 30 rounds of ammunition on my person, but I can't legally carry an automatic knife. 
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That's beyond me, I'll never understand that. |
Concealability? Just a guess, because I think it's stupid that switchblades are illegal. |
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Yip. Georgia has some fucked up Knife/CCW laws. |
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Because it is the deadliest knife known to man, just the sight of one causes your enemy to flee with fear. The first time I saw one was in the movie "Rebel without a cause" with James Dean, they became an instant status symbol, every guy in town had to have one. I had a motorcycle jacket with at least 87 zippers, and concealed in the jacket was 4 switchblades, everything from a 2 inch up to a 6 inch blade. The switchblade has been perceived as an evil knife for along time, I think there was a ban on interstate sale except for certain people in 1958, its an old story, blame the tool and not the user. |
Why would anyone want a switchblade? -- or were you referring to the question about ballistic knives? If you were refering to switchblades there are pleny of stout autos. Benchmade makes a whole line of them. Lots of others, too . . . |
You cannot carry WITHOUT a permit. You CAN own and carry a auto knife WITH a weapon permit. ETA: That is how it is in most states and GA has reciprosity with FL so it should be the same. |
The Texas CHL allows for legally concealing as many handguns as you can keep out of sight (a requirement). However, the CHL covers handguns ONLY. It does not extend to knives, brass knuckles, clubs, saps, pointy sticks or anything else that could conceivably be considered a weapon - all of which are illegal to carry, except single-edged knives with a blade under 5". |
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I'm still trying to decipher whether I'm legal to OWN one in Virginia, not even carry it. The way I'm reading it mere possession is considered intent to distribute and therefore illegal. I want one of the Benchmade Infidels so bad! If anyone can enlighten me on VA law as far as owning one if not LE/EMS etc. I would appreciate it. I don't want to carry it, I just want to have it to play with. |
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I found a resource online about Colorado knife laws, and you are 100% correct - the blade has to be longer than 3.5" to be considered a "knife." The blade on the Twitch Xl is 3.25", so, "no crime." |
Isn't the Twitch an "assisted-opening" model. I don't know about Oregon but it my state those knives are not considered switchblades/automatics. YOu're not pressing a button to open it. You actually have to begin the opening process. My guess is you're perfectly legal. Did you buy it online or at a brick and mortar store in your state. If the latter is true then you most suredly are OK. |
I'd say the chances of you getting prosecuted for owning but not carrying such a knife are miniscule at best. The only way you're going to catch any grief is if the thing is found during the execution of a search warrant for something far more serious. In that case, the knife charge woud just be piling on. Not to suggest that breaking the law is OK but, in most states, if you're going to play with switchblades then you're going to have to get used to operating in a shadowy part of the law. For example, in my state, owning a switchblade as a curio or relic or part of a collection is OK. Receiving them through the mail is probably a whole different question, though. |