2nd Amendment advocates push to repeal switchblade, other knife laws

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/05/...aled-in-states/

Once overshadowed by the hot-button gun rights debate, laws restricting knife sales and possession are the new "second front" in the battle to preserve Second Amendment rights.

The issue has gained more attention in recent years -- most recently in Baltimore, where obscure knife laws have surfaced at the center of the Freddie Gray death case. Well before that case, though, the nonprofit advocacy group Knife Rights has been steadily working in state capitals across the country to roll back or repeal longstanding knife bans and restrictions.

And they've seen a string of successes.

“We’ve introduced the Second Amendment to a significant number of people who never considered it their amendment,” said Doug Ritter, who founded Knife Rights in Arizona in 2009.

The group argues that possessing and carrying any kind of blade is, as with guns, a right enshrined in the Constitution. They've deployed that argument to, so far, help 10 states wipe most -- if not all -- knife restrictions from the books. It also has successfully advocated for so-called preemption laws in eight states, blocking local jurisdictions from circumventing state law with their own, stricter regulations.

Not all repeals are the same -- some leave laws against switchblades like stilettos on the books. But others are comprehensive, like in Oklahoma and Maine, which just legalized switchblades, in March and April respectively.

Aren't there some disadvantages in arguing for knife rights via the Second Amendment?

1. We want tools, not just knives. We still won't be able to carry a pry bar in some places. I'd rather be able to carry a pry bar and a fixed Mora knife than a switch blade, an auto, or a "combat knife."

2. This strategy may deepen the impression of the general public that knife = weapon. That will result in a push back. Also, if we argument that the Second Amendment extends to knives, then it also extends to swords, halberds, spears, etc. It's hard to see how the American public will accept that. America is a gun culture, not a medieval weaponry culture. People will accept conceal-carried guns before they accept a morningstar.

3. Finally, we don't want the same sort of gun restrictions to be applied to knives: no knives near schools or federal buildings. Employers might be motivated to create "knife free zones." Stores might be pressured to start a "no knives" policy when they just want to make a buck.

All good points Bingley.

The only justification I've ever seen attempted for knife restrictions have been based on their potential use as weapons. In my mind the Second Amendment is the perfect way to attack those sorts of restrictions in the United States.

I would prefer that knives be classed as a tool that could pressed into use as a weapon. Not the other way around. I don't want to need a permit to carry a pocket knife...

BOATMAN
John

Knives are tools but in the eyes of the law, protecting them as an "arm" protected by the 2nd Amendment is probably wise. I am not going to second-guess DR or Knife Rights on their strategy with regard to reversing knife laws.

Even if stuff like knives were legally classified as tools, that wouldn't automatically stop laws from restricting the use of your tools. I think having one of the Bill of Rights backing up one of your freedoms is generally better than not.

The fact that we're even having this discussion is proof the Second Amendment is a weak piece of legislation. It's been chipped away so much that it doesn't mean much anymore. We're sitting here talking about the right to carry a little blade that's a few inches. I wonder what folks from 100 years ago would think of what our society has become.

By the way, what pisses me off even more than knife legislation is the laws on portable gas cans. I hadn't bought a gas can in years. I went to Walmart to buy a gas can. I spent 10 minutes trying to figure it out. I failed. Then, I spent 5 more minutes thinking of ways to "re-engineer" the thing.

Bottom line, it seems like a collosal waste of time to try to reason with an adult who actually thinks these oppressive laws are a good idea. However, I will continue to $upport those who do take on the fight.

Not to mention the government mandated "safety" features on propane bottles (the 20lb kind for your BBQ grill out back). They now have some kind of float inside that supposedly protects you. But those floats always freeze up here in Colorado and no gas comes out. So people around here end up banging on the tanks with rocks, kicking them, and dropping them from heights to try to jar the float loose. Sounds so much "safer" to me! BTW, I'm a fan of the "turn the tank upside down and drop it on it's head from 6 inches up" method myself. Wonderful government regulations...

+1

Put the separate air vent and old flexible rubber discharge back. They worked, didn't break, and then someone just HAD to fix it!