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Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

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Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

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AKTI Opposes U.S. Customs’ attempt to classify assisted-opening knives and all one-hand opening knives as switchblades

May 29, 2009

Customs’ proposal will make criminals of 35.6 million Americans

The definition of a switchblade or automatic knife has been clear and explicit in federal law since 1958. There have been several state court cases in California, Texas, Illiinois and Michigan on the issue of assisted-opening knives. Every judge in every case has ruled they are not switchblades because they do not possess an activating button on the handle.

In fact, AKTI’s bill on the Texas governor’s desk now clarified their statute, reaffirming the 50-year old federal definition, and clearly distinguishing one-hand openers and assisted-openers from knives classified as switchblades or automatics.

Be warned … AKTI fears that all folding knives will be at risk. U.S. Customs’ proposal indicates it is directed at only the importers of assisted-opening knives. However, the language used in their revocation document is so broad and uses virtually every term ever applied to any knife that opens with one hand. We fear that they are attempting to bypass the will of Congress and that once they succeed in getting assisted-openers defined as switchblades, they could move against all folding knives. These include multi-tools, traditional pocket knives, one-hand openers, and assisted- openers.

AKTI’s Knife User Data documents that at least 35.6 million folding knife users would become de facto criminals if Customs has their way. AKTI’s Talking Points tells you in simple language what Customs is really trying to do. Share these documents with other knife owners and your elected representatives at the federal and state level. When you are write letters or emails on this issue, you can use this data.

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American Knife & Tool Institute

2 days ago

American Knife & Tool Institute
What is Concealed? Many knife laws contain a section on concealing knives. Which knives are included, and when is a knife “concealed?”www.akti.org/concerning-concealment/#KnowYourKnifeLaws #CarryWithConfidence #AKTI ... See MoreSee Less

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As a nonprofit association, AKTI’s role is to be the reasonable and responsible advocate for the knife-making and knife-using community; educating, promoting and informing that knives are important tools.

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