CAUSE FOR ALARM?

[jim d,]

This topic has generated a lot of discussion on some of the other forums. I believe that at least all U.S.A. residents should be aware of it. Everyone, take note of the section on switchblades.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/co ... 797001.htm


Any thoughts?

Jim

[Dan-o The Ritalin Kid]

Read the voice of the article. This is one article that is more dependant on emotional value than on truth of fact. For instance the section about California law is misstated. Switchblades can be possessed but not sold, given away, loaned, displayed publicly, transported in the passenger section of an automobile, carried on ones person. The way the law is written it would be quite difficult to obtail one legally, that is when the Cal. law is joined with the U.S. law regarding interstate transportation and importation. As a matter of fact, there was a post here at one time (about a year ago)by someone who had been pulled over by the police, searched and the police had found a couple of switchblades in his breifcase in the trunk. Now I can not vouch for the validity of the story but this poster seemd very suprised that he was let go with his knives. The 2" blade refers to legal carry, sales etc. I personally believe that the overwhelming market for the Italian switchblade knife is the collector not some gangbanger hood. I hope LEO's see this too. There are much more serious internet issues that need more attention...Drug importation and child pornography jump to mind. But you never know what will happen if someone gets a wild hair.

[The Falcon]

It's a good thing that AB/SKM is outside the jurisdiction of the FBI/ATF. Otherwise they could end up being "wacoized".

The Falcon

[hollowdweller]

I hate to see articles like that.

[jim d,]

Dan -o,

As usual, you make some good points. It is obvious that our security related government agencies have a lot more to worry about than us. It is almost laughable when you consider the profile of a typical member in the same sentence with a national security threat. We seem to be a pretty patriotic bunch. Fortunately, the few stories I have heard seem to indicate proper priorities on the part of law enforcement.

On the old forum, last Winter I think, there was a thread that contained some input from our LEO's. Their stories were pretty much the same. In short, they do not waste their time enforcing switchblade laws. However, if a person is being arrested for a real crime, and an auto is found, they may add that to the list of charges just as they would any other violation. The important distinction is that their time and effort is focused on resolving real crimes.

Jim

[arthas]

Hi!

Hey, there's a nice part on AB/SKM on this article. Anyhow, Italian government allows export of switchblade knives, if the customer agrees to get them...

dexter

[jim d,]

Dexter,

Good point! Free advertising, and Business Week has a HUGE circulation.

Jim

[JerrBear]

Has anyone EVER heard of anyone committing a crime with a switchblade knife?
If so, let me rephrase the question:
Has anyone EVER heard of a switchblade collector committing a crime with a switchblade knife?

I'm referring to violent crimes, not piddly-ass statutory "crimes" such as CCW, importing, etc...

Personally, in answer to both questions, I have not!

[Doofus Emeritus]

Sound's like another liberal bellyache. I kind of wonder if the FBI saw that article and went, 'Shit!, instead of tracking explosives, black market firearms, terrorist's, drug's and baby raper's, we gotta start harrassing knife collectors!' If the liberal's ever achieve thier agenda, there wont be anyone not in prison. The media sucks.

Bonz

[jim d,]

Bonz,

You are right again. I had not taken the time to read the entire article before I posted the link. Now that I have read it, I see it for the sensationalism that it is. It is unfortunate that the public thrives on that sort of thing, but it is apparently what sells magazines. Any real law enforcement professional would find the connection to switchblades laughable. Had I read the entire article first, the thread might have been titled "NO Cause for Alarm"

Jim

[The Falcon]

Dexter,

Be sure and tell us if the article results in any increase in orders. I'm sure there are some businessmen out there who never thought about ordering a switchblade until they read this magazine.

The Falcon

[jim d,]

Falcon - what a concept. Wouldn't it be great if the very attempt to condemn us resulted in an increase in business for SKM!

Jim

[mr_edge]

Good point JerrBear. I would wager that, of all the knife assaults that occur each year in the US, the vast majority (80%) are committed with a common kitchen knife. Knife assualts are a crime of passion. One does not premeditate a murder by ordering a relatively costly showpeice Italian made stilletto via express shipping. They use the sharpest instrument at their immediate disposal within a 6 ft radius.

[hollowdweller]

If the liberal's ever achieve thier agenda, there wont be anyone not in prison. The media sucks.

Bonz

Bonz,

I agree with you that the media sucks, however I think we who love freedom have just as much to worry about from the religious right as from the liberal left. Business Week is not exactly a liberal rag.

The left wants to protect us from ourselves. The right wants us all to work overtime for the man, shop at Wal Mart, and set all night in front of a TV. I think they are both really working together.

[Zack]

There are those who are convinced that they're absolutely right, and everybody else is absolutely wrong. As a result, they feel they have a DUTY to impose their beliefs absolutely. We all know what that kind of thinking can produce.