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Originally Posted by jyl
I read some of the pertinent docs. Appears the issue is with folding knives that have some mechanism to enable one handed opening. E.g. a stud on the blade that can be swung out by the thumb and an internal spring that takes over after the blade has been opened partway and spring-opens the blade to fully open. Customs seems to now think these fit the definition of prohibited switchblade under a 1950s law.
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Correct. Spring "assist" knives came out a few years ago (oh, 9 or so). Immediately people questioned whether they would be considered an automatic knife. The companies (primarily Kershaw) had lawyers go over it, and it has even passed judicial process. They were recognized as not being automatics, and did not fall under the federal Switchblade Law. Some states still maintained local restrictions (Cali is known for having poorly worded knife laws that have been scrutinized extensively by the court system).
This same process happened when the Walker Liner Lock first came out. It was the first of the quick deploying, one hand open and close knives, and everyone assumed it would last 5 minutes before being banned. It never was.
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I found no indication that Customs thinks a standard pocket knife with no opening assist mechanism (like the one pwd showed) is prohibited.
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Correct again. It's chicken littles thinking that any potential new knife restriction will lead to a snowball effect...next will be one handed openers, then lockbacks, then fixed blades, then anything other than plastic butter knives.
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Well, I think the whole prohibition of switchblade knives is stupid. I have a switchblade myself, find it pretty handy around the house. Would be nice to get that law repealed. I also think it is doubtful whether most assisted opening knives are switchblades under that law. I guess it may take a legal challenge to resolve that.
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The federal law came from the fact that the "switchblade" was a cheap POS stiletto coming over from Italy, and was the weapon of choice for street gangs and thugs. The feds banned the interstate commerce of, as well as the importation of, switchblades. They did not ban the ownership of them, but since there were no domestic sources, it essentially killed the market. Once domestic versions came out (mostly VERY high quality stuff), the state laws were made to restrict ownership. The states that allow ownership fit under the federal commerce laws because they build them in that state (Oregon, Florida, California). Arizona allows them based on local purchase (similar to buying a gun through a FFL source). Law enforcement and military are allowed to care by federal decree, as is any person with only one arm.