American Knife and Tool Institute

Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

  • 
  • Contribute Today
  • Login

Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

  • Home
  • About
    • Board of Regents
    • Advisory Members
    • Premier Members
    • FAQs
    • History
  • Membership
    • Membership Information
    • Knife Industry
    • Knife Users
    • Information For Members
    • Be a Grassroots Supporter!
  • Legislation
    • Follow Current Knife Legislation
    • Finding Knife Laws
    • Contacting Legislators
    • Success Stories
    • How a Bill Becomes Law
  • Education
    • For Law Enforcement
    • For Legislators
    • Kids and Knives
    • The Ivory Ban
    • Brand Protection
  • News
    • Action Alerts
    • Free to Carry
    • Upcoming Events
    • Industry News
    • For Media
  • Resources
    • Career Center
    • Encounters With Law Enforcement
    • Counterfeit Knives
    • Traveling With a Knife
    • Knife Standards
    • Brochures & Handouts
    • Knives Save Lives!
    • Buy an AKTI Luggage Tag
  • State Knife Laws
    • State Auto-Open Laws
    • Federal Switchblade Act
    • About Statewide Knife Preemption
    • Court Case Summaries
    • Encounters With Law Enforcement
    • The Legal Edge
  • Contact Us
    • Refund Policy
    • Terms of Service

Don’t Believe the Myths About Automatic Knives

June 2, 2017

MYTH:
THE FEDERAL SWITCHBLADE ACT OF 1958 (FSA) BANS ALL AUTOMATIC KNIVES (SWITCHBLADES).

FACT:
The FSA does not inhibit or restrict your ability to carry an automatic knife in any way.  It only prohibits manufacturers and vendors from commercially selling automatic knives across state lines.  Also, the US Customs Service applies the Act to prevent the importation of automatic knives, and parts for automatic knives, from other countries.


MYTH:
INDIVIDUALS MAY NOT OWN OR CARRY AN AUTOMATIC KNIFE UNLESS THEY ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR MILITARY.

FACT:
The FSA does not inhibit or restrict your ability to carry an automatic knife in any way. Because there is no federal restriction on the possession of an automatic knife, states have the right to establish their own laws regarding automatic knives.  Currently, individuals may own and carry an automatic knife in 43 states.  (See the map on State Laws Regarding Auto-open Knives.)  Some states have restrictions such as blade length.  Several states are currently considering bills to allow automatic knives or remove restrictions.


MYTH:
THE FEDERAL SWITCHBLADE ACT PROHIBITS SENDING AUTOMATIC KNIVES TO INDIVIDUALS IN OTHER STATES OR WITHIN YOUR STATE.

FACT:
The FSA only prohibits your ability to send automatic knives through the postal service.  It makes no restrictions on shipping knives using the other carrier services as long as it is not being sold across a state line.


MYTH:
AUTOMATIC KNIVES ARE A DANGEROUS WEAPON USED IN MANY CRIMES.

FACT:
Automatic knives are a valuable tool in many situations where it is difficult to use two hands to open the knife.    A study completed in 2015 found that there was no evidence in states that allowed automatic knives that crimes of murder, robbery or aggravated assault increased compared to periods before and after automatic knives were illegal and then legal.


AKTI is removing automatic restrictions state by state and working to enact federal law to protect the rights of knife owners who travel between different states and jurisdictions.  Our goal is also to repeal the FSA which is a ban on the commerce of valuable tools between states.  We diligently and responsibly work to eliminate restrictions that hamper the ability of the knife community to do business or knife owners to chose the best tool for the task at hand.

Learn more about State Laws Regarding Auto-Open Knives.
Support AKTI with your membership and contributions.

 

Filed Under: News

Take Action

  • Become a Member
  • Give an AKTI Membership
  • Stay Informed
Make a Contribution

Popular Resources

  • AKTI Knife Auction
  • AKTI Approved Knife Definitions
  • State Knife Laws
  • State Auto-Open Laws
  • What Every Knife Owner Should Know
  • Traveling with Knives
American Knife & Tool Institute

24 hours ago

American Knife & Tool Institute
Does having and using the knife of your choice matter to you? Stay Informed. Sign up to receive AKTI emails. Be prepared to contact legislators when asked! We only issue Calls to Action when it is really the best strategy for the initiative. www.akti.org/membership/grassroots-supporter/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

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.

Copyright © American Knife and Tool Institute, all rights reserved
22 Vista View Ln
Cody, WY 82414
307-587-8296
Privacy & Security

  • Home
  • About
  • Membership
  • Legislation
  • Education
  • Brand Protection
  • Contribute Today
  • News
  • Resources
  • State Knife Laws
  • Contact

Members Login

Lost password?