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Junkie
Location: Greater Harrisburg Area
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Read the Customs Release Here.
I read some of the proposal, and it appears to me they aren't rewriting anything. What they are doing is revoking exceptions they made for certain kinds knives (albeit some rather popular ones) on the basis that they have a spring assisted opening, and therefore ought to be considered switchblades.
Here are the relevant definitions as stated in the letters:
Quote:
Statutory and Regulatory Background
Pursuant to the Act of August 12, 1958 (Pub. L. 85–623, codified at 15 U.S.C.
§§ 1241–1245, otherwise known as the ‘‘Switchblade Knife Act’’), whoever
knowingly introduces, or manufactures for introduction, into interstate commerce,
or transports or distributes in interstate commerce, any switchblade
knife, shall be fined or imprisoned, or both.
The Customs and Border Protection (‘‘CBP’’) Regulations promulgated pursuant
to the Switchblade Knife Act are set forth in 19 CFR §§ 12.95–12.103.
In this regard we note the following definitions:
§ 12.95 Definitions.
Terms as used in §§ 12.96 through 12.103 of this part are defined as follows:
(a) Switchblade knife. . . . any imported knife, . . . including ‘‘Balisong’’,
‘‘butterfly’’ . . . knives, which has one or more of the following
characteristics or identities:
(1) A blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to
a button or device in the handle of the knife, or any knife with a
blade which opens automatically by operation of inertia, gravity,
or both;
(2) Knives which, by insignificant preliminary preparation, as described
in paragraph (b) of this section, can be altered or converted
so as to open automatically by hand pressure applied to
a button or device in the handle of the knife or by operation of
inertia, gravity, or both;
(3) Unassembled knife kits or knife handles without blades which,
when fully assembled with added blades, springs, or other
parts, are knives which open automatically by hand pressure
applied to a button or device in the handle of the knife or by operation
of inertia, gravity, or both; or
(4) Knives with a detachable blade that is propelled by a springoperated
mechanism, and components thereof.
(c) Utilitarian use. ‘‘Utilitarian use’’ includes but is not necessarily
limited to use:
(1) For a customary household purpose;
(2) For usual personal convenience, including grooming;
(3) In the practice of a profession, trade, or commercial or employment
activity;
(4) In the performance of a craft or hobby;
(5) In the course of such outdoor pursuits as hunting and fishing;
and
(6) In scouting activities.
Other pertinent regulations are as follows:
§ 12.96 Imports unrestricted under the Act.
(a) Common and special purpose knives. Imported knives with a blade
style designed for a primary utilitarian use, as defined in § 12.95(c),
shall be admitted to unrestricted entry provided that in condition as
entered the imported knife is not a switchblade knife as defined in
§ 12.95(a)(1). . . .
§ 12.97 Importations contrary to law.
Importations of switchblade knives, except as permitted by 15 U.S.C.
1244, are importations contrary to law and are subject to forfeiture under
19 U.S.C. 1595a(c).
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I didn't find anything in there about being able to open a knife with a single hand or not, so I'm going to pretend it isn't there until I see something else substantial about it.
Outside of that, I don't know that I have a problem with this outside of questioning the act entirely, which I don't think is really the point here.
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The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game.
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