Source: http://dogbrothers.com/phpBB2/index.php?topic=784.0;prev_next=prev
Timestamp: 2017-08-22 03:41:40
Document Index: 148912053

Matched Legal Cases: ['§265', '§210', '§210', '§265', '§265', '§265', '§265', '§210']

August 21, 2017, 10:41:40 PM
Author Topic: Knife Law (Read 48400 times)
Quote from: Crafty_Dog on February 25, 2013, 07:32:30 PM
I would agree with that. I don't necessarily think however that it would be best to say that you have something for self defense though. If asked why I carry a knife (and as a side note my EDC is either my Rajah II or my Espada XL from Cold Steel) it's simply because it's a versatile tool which can come in handy in any number of both everyday and emergency situations. If asked for examples I can give them. I would never jump straight to "Oh, I carry this six inch Kukri style folding knife just in case I have to chop someones head off in an act of self-defense". I guess basically what my feeling on it is that while saying nothing may not be your best option, clearly full disclosure isn't either. I've always said just enough to keep the officer happy. The less I say, the less that can be misunderstood.
I were in Cali, I'd explain that any knife was part of my earthquake 72 hour kit. A knife w/ a glass breaker and seatbelt cutter would tend to support that as well, although the Rajah II is cool.
UPDATE: TSA to Allow Small Knives Onboard Aircraft Again
In an announcement at an aviation conference in New York, TSA administrator John
Pistole said that effective April 25 the TSA was is lifting its ban on small knives
in the cabin. His comments weren't entirely clear and the TSA has now posted a
slide show on their website illustrating what will be allowed and what will still
be prohibited. Click here to view the TSA "Changes to Prohibited Items List (PIL)"
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Ei_52wBiQ6zXwuanIEc7UfDdeiUkMeKcb3fVZ3xoewJtgoTqCm0l1pRVD17ILMbGVIg472ZXQeAMLTUGaPs5ewkzlyUFc5e_EVacHEf2q4KVCBPT3d-m1w==]
Pistole said that the allowable knives will be limited to "retractable blades shorter
than 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) and narrower than 1/2 inch at the widest point."
From the slide show it is clear that by "retractable" he meant "folding." Still
prohibited would be "knives with locking blades or molded handles," Pistole said.
Fixed blade knives are also prohibited.
Keychain sized knives like the Victorinox "Classic" Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman
"Squirt" or "Style" multi-tools are allowed. Also allowed would be the 84mm SAKs,
such as the Victorinox Tinker that is illustrated in the slide show or the Cadet.
Those SAKs have a 2.3-inch blade, just under the limit. There is bound to be some
confusion and some very disappointed and perhaps upset travelers at the airports
due to the fact that except for the blade being 5-7mm too long (Wenger or Victorinox,
respectively), the most common 91 mm SAKs look virtually identical to the smaller
frame SAK that is allowed. Whatever knife you are carrying through the airport,
be sure to ]measure the blade length from the handle to the tip (not just the
sharp edge).
NOTE: The changes to the Prohibited Items List are effective April 25, 2013. Don't
try to carry a knife onboard before then!
To view the slides below full size, click here to view the TSA "Changes to Prohibited
Items List (PIL)" slide show in PDF format.
Victorinox and Leatherman have lobbied the TSA for many years for this exemption
and it appears they final succeeded. Congratulations!
The term "molded grip" is not an industry standard descriptive term and has apparently
been invented by the TSA. It would appear to include any handle that is at all
ergonomic and exclude anything but a slab-sided SAK or multi-tool. One wonders
if the Wenger Evo or Evo-Grip Swiss Army Knife handles would be allowed or prohibited?
Beyond that, at least one of the knives illustrated as having a "molded grip"
clearly has an ergonomic metal handle, which is not molded plastic. We're guessing
that there will be further clarifications as travelers lose knives to the TSA.
In the end, the final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any item through
security checkpoints. As many travelers have found out to their chagrin and
TSA can be less than consistent at times. Your safest bet is going to be to stick
Razor blades and box cutters are still banned. Citing the 9/11 terrorists that
used box cutters to kill flight attendants on the aircraft they hijacked, "there
is just too much emotion involved with those," Pistole said.
Pistole said allowing these knives onboard would align the U.S. with ICAO and European
standards and allow screeners to focus on the highest priority threat, non-metallic
explosive devices. Since we have reports of passengers being allowed onboard in
Europe with locking blade folders, we're still not clear how "aligned" this ends
While hardly entirely rational in nature, it is a step in the right direction and
one virtually all knife carriers will celebrate.
The changes to the Prohibited Items List are effective April 25, 2013. Don't try
to carry a knife onboard before then!
Knife Rights News Slice eBlast - March 12, 2013
Texas Knife Law Preemption Bill Hearing Wednesday
Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, will be in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday to testify in support of House Bill HB1299 that would enact Knife Law Preemption. Sponsored by Representative Jonathan Stickland, this bill was inspired by Knife Rights preemption bills that have successfully passed in in Arizona, Utah, New Hampshire and Georgia. Write or Call the committee members today and urge them to recommend passage of HB1219.
Preemption ensures citizens can expect consistent enforcement of state knife laws everywhere in a state. Preemption prevents the creation of, or eliminates, a patchwork of local ordinances and laws more restrictive than state law which serve to confuse or entrap those traveling within or through the state.
It is worth noting that the Chairman of the Urban Affairs Committee that is hearing HB1219, Rep. Harold V. Dutton, Jr., is the sponsor of House Bill HB936 which would repeal the irrational and antiquated Texas ban on switchblades. That bill has been assigned to the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, but has not yet be calendared for a hearing.
If you live, work or travel in Texas, please contact the Urban Affairs Committee members and ask them to recommend passage of HB1219 Click here for links to the Committee members.
Whether writing or calling, all that is necessary is to simply ask them to vote in favor of HB1219. Keep it short and to the point.
Tennessee Knife Rights Bill Passes Senate 27-3!
Last week the Tennessee Senate passed Senate Bill SB1015 on an overwhelming bipartisan majority vote of 27-3. Congratulations to sponsor Sen. Mike Bell. There is a companion bill in the Tennessee House, HB0581 sponsored by Rep. Vance Dennis, which is identical to SB1015 and we expect movement on that bill as soon as next week. Write or call your Representative NOW!
SB1015 and HB0581 would enact Knife Law Preemption, repeal Tennessee's antiquated ban on automatic knives (switchblades) and repeal the the state's four-inch knife length limitation. Preemption ensures citizens can expect consistent enforcement of state knife laws everywhere in a state.
If you live, work or travel in Tennessee, please contact your Reprresentative and ask them to vote Yes on HB0581. Click here to locate your Senator, and/or the Senator who represents where you work or travel.
Whether writing or calling, all that is necessary is to simply ask them to vote in favor of HB0581. Keep it short and to the point.
Kansas Knife Rights Bill Passes House 93-28!
Last week the Kansas House of Representatives passed HB2033 on a strong bipartisan vote of 93-28. It now moves to the Kansas Senate for their consideration. HB2033 would enact Knife Law Preemption and repeal the Kansas ban on Switchblades, Dirks, Daggers and Stilettos.
Congratulations to Sponsors Representatives Richard Carlson, Mike Houser and Jim Howell. Thanks again to Patricia Stoneking of the Kansas State Rifle Association for her efforts in support of Knife Rights and HB2033.
If you live, work or travel in Kansas, please write or call your Senator and ask them to vote in favor of HB2033. Kansas does not provide an easy way to find your legislator, if you don't know already, click here for a link to a map of the Senate districts, which can then be used to locate your Senator. Click here for their phone number and email (listed by name and district).
Help Knife Rights at Texas Mega Show in Dallas
Knife Rights will have a booth at the Texas Mega Show incorporating the Lone Star Knife Expo on April 13 & 14 and we need volunteers to help staff the booth. Click here to let us know if you can assist.
This is the largest gun and knife show in the Southwest. We will be displaying knives, firearms and other prizes in the 2013 Ultimate Steel™ Knives, Guns & More Spectacular fundraiser. We will also have on display Freedom's Steel™ II - Never Forget™, our extraordinary 2013 collaboration knife that will be auctioned at the NRA Annual Meeting.
This is a great opportunity to help Knife Rights and have a lot of fun. You'll receive a free pass, as well. Click here to let us know if you can assist.
Every success we have in a state legislature helps us with the next bill we try to get passed. Success builds upon success. It's much easier to gain sponsors and supporters for a bill when we can point to other states where similar bills have passed and there has been no adverse impact.
You can donate using our online donation page or,
follow directions on that page to mail your check or money order.
You can also call our office to donate or to set up a monthly automatic donation.
Call: 602-476-2702 or our toll-free number is 866-889-6268.
Knife Rights is America's Grassroots Knife Owners Organization™
The Second Front in Defense of the Second Amendment™
Leading the Fight for a Sharper Future for all Americans™
Kansas Knife Rights Bill to Full Senate for Vote
Knife Rights requested bill HB2033 that would enact Knife Law Preemption and repeal the Kansas ban on Switchblades, Dirks, Daggers and Stilettos has cleared a major hurdle in the Kansas Senate. Yesterday our lobbyist, Todd Rathner, testified before the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee and after the testimony was heard the committee took the somewhat unusual move of "working" the bill immediately. HB2033 passed the committee unanimously and now moves to the floor of the Kansas Senate for a final vote, possibly as soon as Monday. HB2033 has already passed the Kansas House.
If you live, work or travel in Kansas, please write or call your Senator ask them to vote in favor of HB2033. Kansas does not provide an easy way to find your legislator, if you don't know already, but click here for a link to a map of the Senate districts, which can then be used to locate your Senator: Click here for their phone number and email (listed by name and district).
Preemption ensures citizens can expect consistent enforcement of state knife laws everywhere in a state. Preemption prevents the creation of, or eliminates, a patchwork of local ordinances and laws more restrictive than state law which serve to confuse or entrap those traveling within or through the state. Knife Rights has passed similar Knife Preemption Laws in Arizona, Utah, New Hampshire and Georgia and repealed irrational knife bans in New Hampshire, Washington and Missouri.
Tennessee Knife Rights Bill Clears One House Committee
On to the the Next Committee - Write or Call Today!
Senate Bill SB1015, a Knife Rights requested bill that would enact Knife Law Preemption, repeal Tennessee's antiquated ban on automatic knives (switchblades) and repeal the the state's four-inch knife length limitation, has been voted out of House Criminal Justice Committee and now moves on to the House Finance Subcommittee on Ways and Means.
If you live, work or travel in Tennessee, please contact your Representative and ask them to vote Yes on SB1015. Click here to locate your Representative, and/or the Representative who represents where you work or travel.
Whether writing or calling, all that is necessary is to simply ask them to vote in favor of SB1015. Keep it short and to the point.
We would like to thank Senator Mike Bell for working so hard to keep this bill moving through the process.
Two Texas Pro-Knife Bill Need Your Help
Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs Todd Rathner lobbied and testified in support of HB1299 last week in Austin, Texas. HB1299, sponsored by Representative Jonathan Stickland, would enact Knife Law Preemption in Texas. If you live, work or travel in Texas and have not already done so, Write or Call the Committee Members TODAY and urge them to recommend passage of HB1299. Click here for links to the Committee members.
While in Austin, Todd also worked on HB1862, which would repeal the irrational and antiquated Texas ban on switchblades. HB1862 is sponsored by Rep. Harold V. Dutton, Jr., who Chairs the Urban Affairs Committee that heard HB1299. That bill has been assigned to the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, but has not yet been calendared for a hearing. You can help by Writing or Calling Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Chairman Rep. Abel Herrero and ask him to schedule a hearing on HB1862. Click here for Chairman Herrero's contacts.
Questions from the Urban Affairs Committee Chairman and members revealed just how confusing Texas knife laws really are and the difficulty citizens have of knowing if their knife is legal in any particular place. During testimony the committee asked about blade lengths, operating and locking mechanisms, knife nomenclature and types while trying to determine for themselves what knives are legal and illegal to possess in Texas or in a particular city or town in Texas.
The questions and confusion clearly demonstrated the need for this Knife Law Preemption bill that would ensure citizens could expect consistent enforcement of state knife laws everywhere in the state. HB1299 would prevent the creation of, and eliminates the existing patchwork of local ordinances and laws more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap those traveling within or through the state
The first ever scholarly analysis of knives and the Second Amendment has been accepted for publication by the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform. Researched and written by highly respected Second Amendment legal scholars David Kopel, Clayton Cramer and Joseph Edward Olson, the article makes the case that "Knives are clearly among the 'arms' which are protected by the Second Amendment." This supports one of the foundations for Knife Rights' efforts to protect our rights, "Essential Tools - Essential Rights."
As the abstract notes, "Under the Supreme Court's standard in District of Columbia v. Heller, knives are Second Amendment "arms" because they are "typically possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes," including self-defense. Bans of knives which open in a convenient way (bans on switchblades, gravity knives, and butterfly knives) are unconstitutional. Likewise unconstitutional are bans on folding knives which, after being opened, have a safety lock to prevent inadvertent closure. Prohibitions on the carrying of knives in general, or of particular knives, are unconstitutional."
Just a note of caution, for those unfamiliar with the process. This is the initial submission draft of this article. It will now go through an exhaustive peer review and editing process. Revisions will be posted online during that process. Only after that entire rigorous review process has been completed will the final version of the article be published. So, just to reiterate, this article is not published at this point and should not be relied upon for any legal effort, or for that matter, arguing with a cop who has arrested you for carrying a particular "illegal" knife. Having said all that, these scholars are leaders in the field and I wouldn't expect any substantive changes.
Kansas Comprehensive Knife Rights Bill Signed by Governor!
After two years of hard work, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has signed the Knife Rights comprehensive knife law reform act, HB2033 into law today.
HB2033 repeals all existing local knife laws in Kansas and enacts statewide preemption of any attempt to pass new local knife laws more restrictive than state law. HB2033 also repeals the ban on the possession of switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos. Be advised that the new law does not go into effect until July 1st.
Knife Rights would like to thank Representative Richard Carlson for sponsoring this bill and working so hard to get it passed and signed. We would also like to thank Patricia Stoneking, the President of the Kansas State Rifle Association, for her help and counsel throughout this long process. We would also like to recognize the efforts of former Kansas State Representative Gary Hayzlett.
Your emails and calls were also critical for us to achieve comprehensive knife law reform in Kansas, our first victory this year. This makes Kansas the fifth state to enact Knife Law Preemption, following the first-in-the-nation Knife Law Preemption bill by Knife Rights in Arizona in 2010.
Knife Law Preemption makes the state the sole authority on knife law. It repeals the confusing patchwork of local laws and ordinances more restrictive than state law that trap unwary citizens and prevents passage of such local laws and ordinances in the future.
Indiana Switch Blade Ban
« Reply #59 on: April 25, 2013, 05:37:12 PM »
After two years of effort by Knife Rights and our sponsors, the Indiana legislature has repealed the state's irrational ban on switchblade knives. Senator Jim Tomes and Senator Johnny Nugent have worked tirelessly with Knife Rights to pass this repeal.
To email him, you must use the online form at: http://www.in.gov/gov/2333.htm
When you call and email, keep it polite, short and to the point.
Alaska Governor Parnell Signs Knife Rights Act
After two years of effort, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell has signed HB33, Alaska's Knife Rights Act, which enacts sweeping reform of Alaska's knife laws. HB33 legalizes the
(Top Photo - L to R) Behind Gov. Sean Parnell: Ray Thibault (AK Retailer Northern Knives ), Sen. Charlie Huggins, HB33 Sponsor Rep. Mark Neuman, House Speaker Rep. Mike Chenault, Rep. Wes Keller,
Rep. Bill Stoltze, Todd Rathner (Knife Rights)
possession, transfer and carrying of automatic knives (switchblades). It also enacts knife law preemption repealing all local knife laws as well as preventing new ones from being enacted.
This law goes into effect on September 18, 2013.
At the invitation of Governor Parnell, Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, attended the signing ceremony in Palmer, Alaska.
Knife Rights would like to thank Governor Parnell for recognizing and expanding the rights of everyday Alaskans as well as the millions who visit Alaska every year to hunt, fish and recreate. We would also like to thank the sponsors of the HB33, Representative Mark Neuman and Senator Fred Dyson, for sponsoring this important legislation.Knife Rights would also like to thank Pro-Tech Knives for their support in helping to pass this legislation.
Help Knife Rights continue to create a Sharper Future for all Americans™ with a donation in the Ultimate Steel Knives, Guns & More Spectacular!
Enactment Dates
Knife Right Legislation Passed This Year
The Knife Rights legislation passed this year is in effect as of the dates below:
Kansas Knife Law Preemption
Kansas Ban on Switchblades, Dirks, Daggers & Stilettos Repealed
Alaska Knife Law Preemption
Alaska Ban on Switchblades Repealed
Note that for states without knife law preemption,
local laws more restrictive than state law are still in force.
Knife Rights To Appeal Outrageous NYC Ruling
Obama-Appointed Judge Says
Those Arrested in NYC Have No Standing to Sue!
A U.S. District Court Judge has ruled that persons falsely arrested or threatened
with arrest have no standing to sue in Knife Rights' Federal civil rights lawsuit
against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. Although every prior
ruling in the case went our way under two previous judges, the case was recently
reassigned to Obama appointee Katherine B. Forrest. Litigation always presents
the risk that a judge (and especially a judge new to a case) will make an erroneous
On Wednesday the judge ruled that the plaintiffs in our case - who have been falsely
arrested or threatened with arrest over common pocket knives - do not have standing
to sue, in part because the case documents don't identify specific knives that
would be illegal under New York City's interpretation of state law. The trouble
is, it's nearly impossible to identify them under New York City's haphazard and
inconsistent approach - which is the whole point of the case in the first place!
Even the DA has admitted that different specimens of the exact same make and
model knife could be simultaneously found to be both legal and illegal! Click to
read the judge's ruling.
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0010abJYrLO6R1ufydSIPXZtzKE6uFc2TERIb5cIhIdCuieNORHqQm-g54xGzmNNytNM5XdM1cUynj75vQ5nfgpp54CSS8nEGKIAvU8kNOkHoLHA4WC-masfA5TguqEZvyQ207GVmbrSOiCJEIIzpj-5SSXMxNve5vntbZyOtw4IxE=]
So here we have a situation where we're suing because we can't know with certainty
what's legal or banned, yet the judge is saying we don't have standing to sue precisely
because we haven't identified what's legal or banned in our court papers. That's
But even if the judge were correct - which she is not - she was required by
legal principles to allow us a chance to amend our papers to "correct" the supposed
"defects." Instead, she simply ignored these principles and declared the case
A similar situation arose in a recent lawsuit involving a U.S. District Judge in
neighboring New Jersey. After straining to find supposed "defects" in the complaint
that affected standing, the judge refused to allow the complaint to be amended
to correct the "defects." On appeal, the ruling was reversed and the appeals court
criticized the judge, saying she had abused her discretion. The same thing could
But whatever happens, this ruling forces Knife Rights to spend more time and money
to appeal the judge's decision - all while Rome continues to burn. We still receive
calls every week from innocent citizens whose lives have been turned upside down
simply because they carried a basic tool, a pocket knife, in New York City. Thousands
have been arrested on bogus illegal knife charges. In at least one instance of
which we are aware, the result of the bogus arrest was that the victim's entire
knife collection was confiscated from his home. Gun owners have had their firearms
confiscated based on bogus knife arrests.
We cannot let New York City succeed in its attempt to redefine "gravity knife"
to include ordinary folding knives. This could become a model for other cities
and jurisdictions across America, resulting in knife owners throughout the country
being arrested for doing nothing wrong. We cannot let that happen! And, we will
Knife Rights is carefully planning its response to Judge Forrest's ruling. We
will never stop fighting for your rights, and neither should you. Please help
us win this critical battle by contributing to Knife Rights Foundation's Legal
Fund today as generously as you can. We've led the fight to defend knife rights
in the legislative arena and we are pioneering it in the courts. Please help us
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0010abJYrLO6R2U2zS_Bgv1cfpgH8IGnYDScEbdclseBI3CmfAAMau4U2TNbI9xCOH-phxBc2nHn7eqDdAtycJT1q1tcjQJwKEYXwrlU-D7EGIbmNc4hRHHPg==]
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Knife Rights To Appeal Outrageous Ruling in NYC Case
Please Support Our Efforts Today!
Knife Rights has a filed a Notice of Appeal in its federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City, following a judge's refusal to allow supposed "defects" in the case documents to be corrected. The judge previously used those "defects" to try to throw out the case.
Knife Rights will never stop fighting for your rights, and neither should you. Please help us win this critical battle by contributing to the Knife Rights Foundation today as generously as you can. We've led the fight to defend knife rights in the legislative arena and we are pioneering it in the courts. Please help us defend freedom!
South Carolina state Senator Kevin L. Bryant has introduced a Knife Law Preemption bill, S.885, for the 2014 session. S.885 simply adds "knives" to the state's existing Firearms Preemption Law. It would make state knife law supreme over the entire state, repealing existing local knife regulations and prohibiting any future knife regulations. This is the fifth Knife Rights backed bill pre-filed for the 2014 legislative session!
Knife Law Preemption is Knife Rights' signature legislative initiative and is the essential foundation for improving knife laws and protecting knife owners. Beginning with the nation's first Knife Law Preemption bill passed in 2010 in Arizona, Knife Rights has passed Knife Law Preemption in seven states to date. Knife Law Preemption prevents a patchwork of local ordinances which can entrap honest citizens traveling within or through a state. This is the fourth Knife Rights' Knife Law Preemption bill filed so far for next year.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2014/07/25/new-york-court-sets-aside-gravity-knife-prosecution/
New York court sets aside “gravity knife” prosecution
By Eugene Volokh July 25 at 11:31 AM
From People v. Trowells (N.Y. trial ct. July 11, 2014, published in the N.Y.L.J. today) (some paragraph breaks added):
Defendant, Anthony Trowells, is charged, inter alia, with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (PL §265.02[1]) [elevated to a felony because of a prior conviction for Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree -EV] ….
It is alleged that on or about June 12, 2013 at approximately 10:05 a.m., the defendant was walking in the vicinity of the Major Deegan Expressway and Jerome Avenue in Bronx County, when he was observed by Detective Keith Ames of the Bronx Narcotics Squad to have a gravity knife clipped to his belt. The People claim the knife was in plain view.
The defendant claims that Det. Ames attempted to engage him in a drug-related conversation, and when he refused to respond and attempted to walk away from him, Det. Ames then physically stopped the defendant, conducted a search of defendant’s person and recovered the gravity knife….
[New York Civil Criminal Procedure Law] §210.40 permits dismissal of an indictment where, for a variety of reasons, the merits are not at issue and the interest of justice would be served by the termination of prosecution. In determine whether granting or denying the motion to dismiss would serve justice, the Court may consider the existence of any compelling circumstance…. In evaluating whether there exists a compelling basis for dismissal, CPL §210.40[1] sets out ten factors a court may consider. The ten factors are as follows:
(a) the seriousness of the crime;
(g) the impact on the public interest of a dismissal of the indictment;
… Courts have made it clear that no one of these ten factors is dispositive, however, taken as a whole, they serve to balance the interests between the individual and the state. Thus, this Court must balance all the factors, as well as any other relevant factors in deciding defendant’s motion. In so doing, defendant’s motion to dismiss is granted….
In 1958, the Legislature enacted Penal Law §265.01[1] criminalizing the mere possession of a gravity knife, i.e., deeming it a “per se” weapon. The statute was in response to what was then characterized as great public concern over the rampant criminal use of gravity knives by New York City juveniles. Penal Law §265.00[5] defines a gravity knife as “any knife which has a blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force which, when released, is locked in place by means of a button, lever, spring or other device.” Centrifugal force is not defined in the Penal Law, however, it is well-settled law that releasing the blade from the handle of the knife by flicking the wrist constitutes centrifugal force.
The law has been criticized by many as resulting in the prosecution of many law-abiding New York City citizens and visitors including artists, construction workers, electricians and others who carry gravity knives for work and other lawful endeavors (see David B. Kopel et al., Knives and the Second Amendment, 47 U Mich JL Reform 167, 210-211 [2013]; Ian Weinstein, Note, Adjudication of Minor Offenses In New York City, 31 Fordham Urb LJ 1157, 1167 [2004]). For example in 2011, New York police arrested John Copeland, a painter, for carrying a Benchmade three-inch folding knife in his pocket. The knife was alleged to be a gravity knife. The charges against Copeland were ultimately dismissed after a showing was made that Copeland was an artist and legitimately used the knife to cut canvas for his artwork.
In 2012, Clayton Baltzer was on a field trip to New York City with his fine-arts classmates from Pennsylvania’s Baptist Bible College & Seminary. While riding the subway, a police officer observed what he believed to be a gravity knife clipped to Baltzer’s belt. After many failed attempts to flick open the knife, the officer was finally able to open it and placed Baltzer under arrest for the possession of the gravity knife. Baltzer was convicted of the misdemeanor possession of the gravity knife and was sentenced to pay a fine in the amount of $125 fine and to complete two (2) days of community service.
These and other cases have led to various proposed amendments of the statute. While apparently recognizing the societal shift from rampant criminal use of gravity knives of the 1950s to the widespread, legitimate possession of gravity knives of today, in 2011, the New York Assembly passed Bill 2259A. It called for the amendment of PL §265.01 to the extent that an individual would be guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree when he or she “possesses a gravity knife with the intent to use the same unlawfully against another.” Similarly, in 2013, Senate Bill 5650 proposed to amend PL §265.15 to create an affirmative defense for criminal possession of a gravity knife. The affirmative defense would be that the possessor did not intend to use it unlawfully. Clearly, the Legislature is addressing the need to delineate the criminal possession versus the lawful possession of gravity knives.
While this Court is in no way minimizing the defendant’s actions, it notes that the defendant was not using the gravity knife unlawfully against another, nor was he threatening its use. Rather the gravity knife was found in his possession following a search of his person by law enforcement.
The stop and subsequent search of the defendant’s person is also at issue. It is unclear as to the basis for defendant’s stop as well as subsequent search of his person. The People assert that the gravity knife was in plain view, clipped to defendant’s belt. The defendant asserts that he refused to respond to questions posed to him by the narcotics detective regarding drug activity in the area, and that he attempted to walk away from the detective. This behavior allegedly prompted the physical stop and search by Det. Ames. While this would not rise to serious misconduct on the part of law enforcement, it certainly calls into question the legality of the stop and admissibility of the gravity knife.
Finally, while certainly cognizant of the defendant’s criminal background — nineteen (19) misdemeanor convictions and one (1) felony conviction, the aforementioned and last conviction for Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree for which he received a sentence of probation — this Court does not believe that dismissal of the indictment would result in any negative impact on the confidence of the public in the system, or that dismissal of the indictment would have any impact on the safety and welfare of the community.
Based on the aforesaid, defendant’s motion to dismiss the indictment in the furtherance of justice is granted.
Note that the judge here is just applying the specific New York statute — New York Civil Criminal Procedure Law §210.40 — and not saying the prosecution is unconstitutional.
Best/worst places for knives
« Reply #68 on: November 30, 2014, 12:33:57 PM »
« Last Edit: January 01, 2016, 07:00:16 PM by Crafty_Dog » Logged
http://www.kniferights.org/Knife_Rights_Appeal_Brief.pdf
http://www.kniferights.org/DAoppbrief.pdf
http://www.kniferights.org/Knife_Rights_Reply_Brief.pdf
« Last Edit: May 05, 2015, 11:18:27 PM by Crafty_Dog » Logged
Applying the Second Amendment to knives as arms and the groundbreaking Heller U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals reversed a lower court decision that it was illegal for someone to possess a switchblade (automatic) knife in their home. The court concluded that the Second Amendment protects knives as well as guns, one of Knife Rights' foundational principles.
While AB 142 will hopefully settle the issue for good in Wisconsin, this decision is part of an evolving body of law protecting knife ownership and carry that was summarized in the first detailed scholarly analysis of knives and the Second Amendment published in 2013 and authored by noted Second Amendment scholars Dave Kopel, Clayton Cramer and Joe Olson. Read "Knives and the Second Amendment" here: http://www.kniferights.org/Knives-and-the-Second-Amendment.pdf
"Although the Heller Court emphasized that handguns are frequently used for self-defense, we do not think Heller can be read to create different levels of protection for different types of arms that fall under the Second Amendment, based on their popularity. In addition, it is not particularly surprising that handguns are more prevalent than switchblades, given that switchblades were banned or severely restricted in many states, including Wisconsin, beginning in the late 1950s and early 1960s."
A key point is that the court also rejected the state's intellectually bankrupt argument that only a subset of knives was banned and that alternative knives were available, "Herrmann could have easily used a non- prohibited weapon for his protection. The statutory ban on switchblade knives does not unreasonably impair Herrmann's right to keep and bear arms." The Second Amendment, supported by Heller and other decisions, doesn't differentiate between types of arms. The court held, "The State...failed, to the extent necessary after Heller, to show that Herrmann had reasonable alternative means to exercise his Second Amendment right to bear arms."
The court also noted some advantages switchblades have over guns, "For safety reasons people with children may not want guns around the house. People with limited financial resources who may not be able to afford a proper gun likely would be able to afford an effective $10 automatic knife. Finally, for people who are excluded from lawful gun ownership, an automatic knife may be the most effective arm available."
"The State argues that [the switchblade ban] serves an important governmental objective - namely, protecting the public from the danger of potentially lethal surprise attacks posed by individuals using switchblade knives. However, the State cites no evidence to establish that this danger actually exists to any significant degree. Again, the State has the burden to establish that [the switchblade ban] satisfies intermediate scrutiny, and it must do so by showing the existence of real, not merely conjectural, harm... Thus, on the record before us, we are not convinced that [the switchblade ban] serves an important governmental objective."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/12/31/washington-state-top-court-some-knives-are-likely-constitutionally-protected-arms-but-paring-knives-arent/
« Last Edit: February 01, 2016, 06:57:41 PM by Crafty_Dog » Logged
Quote from: Crafty_Dog on February 07, 2016, 03:07:05 PM
A British Dog Brother comments:
"Hey, I can't comment on the link you tagged me in (the OP will have security set). It's poorly written, misinformed hack journalism. There are laws here about 'what is something designed for' and 'what is the purpose of carrying something in public'. The latter picks up on the fact that kitchen knives, chain saws, pool cues, etc can all be used to harm people. It allows for police to stop people if the have 'probable cause' to do so. No one is trying to ban kitchen knives, I can go to HomeStore and buy a pruning machete if I want. But if I start carrying it around on the street I've got some explaining to do (and I'll be given my opportunity to do so). On amnesty, this is to remove things from circulation that are covered by the former law. They are normally only done after a major crime (people 'poop' themselves about the consequences of being caught with an 'illegal') or when police/charities have been successful with gang work. The law does allow for the carriage of utility and multi tools. It's all about purpose and intent. A frozen haddock, carried with the intention of bludgeoning someone would be a weapon (and you could be charged with premeditation). Hope this makes sense.
"An example! The Glasgow Clan used to meet in a public park every Sunday. Glasgow is well known as 'not exactly safe' and has a greater than average police presence. The first time we were there we were approach by police after about 30 mins, they politely asked us what we were doing. We (Actually Scotty) explained and we were cool. It helped we were all branded up with t-shirts and bags wink emoticon Though every week the police did just 'drive by' us few the first month until they decided we were harmless."
http://www.villagevoice.com/news/ny-assembly-passes-bill-to-end-over-prosecution-of-gravity-knives-7250847
http://knifenews.com/new-york-governor-cuomo-vetoes-gravity-knife-and-switchblade-reform-bill/
« Reply #83 on: May 19, 2017, 11:03:34 AM »
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1103550698648&ca=4d3481e6-b173-4aa1-8564-f8f1f21f4b77
Movement to reverse knife laws
« Reply #84 on: May 26, 2017, 08:40:53 AM »
« Last Edit: May 28, 2017, 12:34:45 PM by Crafty_Dog » Logged
« Reply #85 on: May 26, 2017, 08:46:48 AM »
Quote from: DougMacG on May 26, 2017, 08:40:53 AM
Actual criminals use box cutters and utility knives purchased at a dollar store, not 100+ dollar "tactical" knives.