Farmers and other practical working folk appreciate folding knives that can easily be opened one-handed.  One hand holding a heavy sack of grain, for instance, while another slices it open.  There are some citified wimps, however, who haven’t gotten past their 1950-era fear of “switchblades.” While today there are ingenious “assisted opening” knives with a mechanical advantage that makes them easier for arthritic old folks to use.  Naturally, the wimps want them banned.
Take a look at THIS and express your views please before the deadline.
To see how far the madness can go, check This from New Point Knives and This and This from England.
We all know enough not to “run with scissors,” but we need a bayonet charge of lucidly-expressed outrage to our political representatives to put a stop to this sort of stupidity.

1 COMMENT

  1. Mas, is there any information on a specific bill number I could petition my congressman about? I did not see any if it was listed. If it isn’t a bill, what do I tell them to look at as far as legislation to block?

    Thanks for the heads up on this.

  2. […] Massad Ayoob sums up the stupidity of the wimps: … There are some citified wimps, however, who haven’t gotten past their 1950-era fear of “switchblades.” While today there are ingenious “assisted opening” knives with a mechanical advantage that makes them easier for arthritic old folks to use.  Naturally, the wimps want them banned. […]

  3. I’m not so sure that writing your Congress-person will help.

    Government is only lawful and just when it is ruled by the citizens. This government is lawless and unjust.

  4. Customs has virtually no interest in getting negative — or any — feedback on this. The notice was published in a Customs newsletter, not the Federal Register as most NPRM are. Additionally, the comment period is only 30 days and only snail-mail is acceptable. Knife Rights filed an appeal to extend the 30 day comment period, which was rejected.

    So who cares if you only purchase US-made knives?

    Well, according to the Switchblade Act, Customs defines what a switchblade is for domestic purposes is. also.

  5. Honestly, besides WWIII which is on it’s way, it sure looks like American Revolution II is not far behind.

  6. Knives, a simple tool, or possible a weapon if needed, but what next? Stones? You know, someone may decide to throw one at another person, then what? I suppose there will be some freaking moron that will start an issue for stone Control! We will have to register our stone, then license them if we want to carry them on our person, Washington will issue a special tax on stones to make them more expensive and try to curb the purchase of stones, and use the tax collected to convince non thinking people that stones are lethal, deadly, horrible and should be banned…god, don’t get me started.

  7. That’s just craziness. I gotta go buy a pitchfork I guess, hope it doesn’t have a folding handle

  8. Rob R,
    There isn’t any bill number as this isn’t legislation. That’s is part of the problem. There are no checks and balances on this change. This is Customs & Border Patrol changing the definition of a Switchblade, because they can. This, then, changes any federal law that references Switchblades. Specifically, the Federal Switchblade Act of 1958.

  9. The Stupidity Train just keeps on rolling. I’ll write my Representatives, but I’ll only get the autoreply letter back…

  10. Knife dealers in Scotland (land of not so brave hart) will need a licence.
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/scotland/2474832/Knife-dealers-in-Scotland-will-need-a-licence-under-plans-to-tackle-blade-culture.html

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/scotland_politics/7532872.stm

    http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/knifeculture/MacAskill-sharpens–stance-with.4338314.jp

    http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/04/Response
    love the lines;
    “We suggested in the consultation that records should be retained for a year.-
    Many respondents felt that this was inadequate and we, therefore, propose that records should be retained for not less than three years”
    That right the dealer want to have to keep all the details for 3 years or go too jail!

    “One respondent suggested that serial numbers should be etched onto knives as a means of tracking a particular knife. –
    This would greatly add to the costs of the proposed system and it would be hard to establish a system that successfully tracks knives. We do not propose to establish such a system at this time.”
    Note the AT THIS TIME PART!

    One respondent raised concern that use of the term ‘non-domestic knife’ could give rise to confusion and requested something more precise. – Due to the difficulty of trying to define what is covered by the scheme in terms of length of blade or design we have deliberately left it to the courts to decide case by case whether a knife is non-domestic. Where there is any doubt retailers should obtain a licence.”
    So the ones making the law can not say what a ‘non-domestic knife’ but if a ‘dealer’ sells one – jail. They are baning it with out sayin / knowing what it is! For once I can see EU law being helpful.

    Background checks for purchasers. –
    This would represent a significant departure from the scheme as proposed and would require a change to the primary legislation. Therefore, we do not intend to take this forward at this time.”
    Note the AT THIS TIME PART!

  11. This is just another example of how so many “issues” that should be addressed by Congress have been given to a myriad of acronym regulatory agencies. Organizations essentially accountable to no one but a sitting President. If the POTUS wants a ban on “switchblades,” “excessive” mercury in your water, etc. then he’ll get it. No debate, no vote on public record. Let’s not forget the quote from Paul Begala, an adviser to Bill Clinton, about the equally abused Executive Orders:
    “Stroke of the pen, law of the land. Kinda cool.”
    Deplorable.

  12. Stinking fascists.

    Unfortunately this is the first I’ve heard of this new regulation and today is the deadline for letters.

    There can be no other reason to limit the time for public comment but to prevent the citizens from voicing their opinions.

  13. Yeah, so if they forbid me to carry a knife, what do they want me to do? Carry ANOTHER gun instead?

    At some point the American people (and the people of the world, for that matter) need to address the question of law, it’s origin, and what makes it valid.
    I think everyone reading Mr Ayoob’s blog is in agreement that weapons ownership is a basic human right. We know that the 2nd ammendment doen’t GRANT us a right, it merely RECOGNIZES and secures a pre-existing right. But where does this right come from?

    Natural Law can attempt to answer these questions, but is inconsistent in it’s conclussions.
    Positivist Law can provide rock solid answers, but these are often anti freedom and we denied some of the key foundations of Positivist Law at the Nuremberg Trials.

    Or there is Biblical Law, which is what most of the Founders looked to (often with doses of Natural Law added). I posit that only a consistent Biblical view of Law can protect our liberties and can fully answer the questions surrounding the Government, it’s jurisdiction, authority, and Law.

  14. Call me a crazy right winger, call me a nut, but I see us heading down the road of having to literally fight for our rights. Too many infringments on our rights, too many infringments on our way of life and it’s all happening too fast and coming from too many directions. I’m mad and I’m tired of it. I’ve had a knife in my pocket sinse I was old enough to remember, as did my Grandfather and his Father and guess what, I ‘ve never harmed anyone with it. We’ve also had guns for just as long. I’m done being told that people like me are “not progressive” and that we’re “clinging” to old narrow minded ways by owning weapons and wanting our traditions to remain. I hope there are others.

  15. I’m seriously thinking of just figuring my taxes each year & burning that amount on the front yard every April 15th.

    FYI, the rest of the weapons from the game of clue are:
    knife,
    revolver,
    spanner,
    lead pipe,
    rope and
    candlestick.

    Watch for bans on these coming soon.

  16. As the greeks said to the persians at Thermopylae when the persians demanded the greeks lay down their weapons, “molon labe,” “come and take them.”

  18. It is ironic that I am authorized to carry a concealed firearm in Pennsylvania, and yet, if this ruling goes into effect, I won’t be allowed to carry a pocket knife.