Sen. Tomes’ SB 6 removes the criminal penalty for manufacturing, possessing, and selling switchblades; or, more specifically, knives with blades that open automatically.
Masson's Blog
Sen. Tomes’ SB 6 removes the criminal penalty for manufacturing, possessing, and selling switchblades; or, more specifically, knives with blades that open automatically.
Are our legislators really this fucking stupid?
And to think that I willingly moved back to this state because its where I’m from, and I thought it was a good place to raise a family.
As Charlie Pierce says, “This is your democracy, America. Cherish it.”
And sigh.
Will this create jobs in the knife-making industry, hospital ERs, or just reduce unemployment via a permanent reduction in the eligible workforce. We might want to think about decriminalizing possession of sawed-off shotguns, too. Maybe even allow personal thermonuclear deterrence devices!
Did anyone read the bill? “Removes a provision that makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a person to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase any knife with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, device containing gas, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife.” It doesn’t remove the criminal penalty at all. All the change does is remove the wording “opens automatically.” If it passes, it will still be “a Class B misdemeanor for a person to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase any knife with a blade that may be propelled by hand pressure applied to a button, device containing gas, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife. ”
Nanny statists can now go back to rejoicing at the continued criminalization of another non-issue!!
Did you read my description? It does remove the penalty for knives with blades that open automatically. It leaves the penalty in place for the remainder of knives subject to that statute.
So, why the need to hold forth about “nanny statists” and throw out exclamation points?
I’m confused. How exactly does a knife “open automatically” (which would be legal under the new law) without any “..hand pressure applied to a button, device containing gas, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife. ” (which would still be illegal under the new law)? It sounds like the Senator is trying to clear up the law by removing an unnecessary part of the existing law. Can someone better explain this to me?
My understanding is that switchblades would be legal. Ballistic knives, where the blade actually leaves the handle (I think that’s the sense in which the statute is using the term “propelled”), would remain illegal.
Tom, you are correct on this issue. The law is actually very confusing. The law, in my opinion, doesn’t change. You push the button, flip the switch, whatever, the blade still opens automatically. I guess this comes down to what folks think propelled means. To me, it means both a knife with a blade that shoots straight out from the handle, or a side-folder where the blade flips out. To me, propelled more deals with your classic switchblade knife than a side-folder. If anything, this law is trying to decriminalize the “auto-assist” side-folding blade knives found for sale at many places. “Opens automatically” would apply to a side-folder more than a classic switch blade style knife.
Still not sure if the nanny statists will be happy with this?
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear knives that open automatically, shall not be infringed.”
So why do we even have a statute in the first place? (: