Customs and Border Patrol planning to make most pocket knives illegal.

[jeryst]

I just read about this on a pocket knife site, and y'know, this kind of crap is really starting to make me mad. Not only are they going after guns, but now they are going after pocket knives as well.

The C&BP decided, at the end of may, to disregard existing knife laws and ground rules that have been around for decades. In 1958, the switchblade law was passed, making it illegal, in most states, to carry switchblade knives. You can own them, for collector purposes, in most states, you just cant carry them. The switchblade law states that a switchblade is any knife opened by pushing a button or lever. This clearly did not affect gravity knives, spring assisted knives that you have to push the blade to get it going, or knives with thumb studs that can be opened with one hand. Well, at the end of May, the C&BP issued their intention to include all knives that can be opened one handed, or opened with the use of any mechanical device, or any human powered force, such as inertia.

Now, every Boy Scout, with a Boy Scout pocket knife, knows that if you need to open a pocket knife one-handed, you can get the blade started, and then, by holding onto the blade, use the weight of the handle to open the knife with one hand. This can be done with virtually any pocket knife, so the C&BP's broad definition means that anyone with a simple pocket knife could be arrested and charged with a felony. A felony, for Christs sake, for carrying a simple pocket knife!

Dont think it can happen? It has already happened in the UK, where you can get into a lot of trouble for carrying a folding pocket knife.

What is wrong with these people? Has common sense gone out the window? Are we being governed by lunatics as well as crooks?

Apprearantly, a coalition of knife manufacturers, collectors, owners, etc, mounted a huge campaign against thie C&BP's stand, and have gotten many members of Congress to get behind a bill that will not allow the C&BP to do this. It is still not finalized, however, and the C&BP could still do it, so all I have to say, is, if you carry a pocket knife, let your Senator and Representative know that you are against the C&BP's planned ban. Otherwise, you might end up being a felon, just for carrying a pocket knife! Unreal!

[Moparal]

Hm, I was in Canada for a month a few weeks back. At the border they asked if I had a knife I said yes a pocket knife, they said ok and I drove on through after the check station. Im in mexico now. I have my knife. I have no issues with checked luggage when flying. I would feel naked without my knife

[Chryco Psycho]

I have a 4" lockblade Swiss Army knife on me all the time , anyone who knows me knows I use it constantly as a tool
Panama is sounding better all the time

[426HEMI]

I have mine most of the time in  my carry on luggage.  I do not feel right not having it on me. 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I carry one all the time myself. Airlines really screw me up at times.....

[67vertman]

I was flying so much a couple of years ago, and I had to throw away a few knifes because I left them in my pocket.  Now I don't carry one anymore.