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June 12, 2009
Obama Wants To Eliminate 8 of 10 Pocketknives
Obama move would eliminate 8 of 10 pocketknives
'If this were to pass and you cross the state line with one, it's a felony'
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency is proposing a new definition that could be used to eliminate 8 of 10 legal pocketknives in the United States right now, according to activists who are gearing up to fight the plan.
The federal bureaucracy is accepting comments – written only – that must be received by June 21 before its planned changes could become final, but Doug Ritter of KnifeRights.org, said the implications of the decision would be far-reaching, since many state and federal agencies depend on the agency's definitions to determine what is legal in the United States.
For a long time, those switchblades that have long stiletto blades that are spring-ejected powerfully from the side or end of the handle have been illegal in the United States, but now a review by the agency of its own approval in 2008 of a particular type of knife for import is raising serious alarms.
Ritter said the effect of the proposed change would be that the new design in knives, many of which contain a tiny spring to help the user pull open the blade and lock it into position, would be classified alongside those true weapons where the user just presses a button and the blade is ejected.
"They are saying that any knife that you can open quickly or any knife that you can open with one hand is therefore a switchblade," Ritter told WND.
On his organization's website there are suggested letters for consumers to reproduce and dispatch to both the Customs agency as well as their members of Congress over the issue.
Ritter suggested that up to 80 percent of the pocketknives sold in America today either are one-handed opening knives or so-called assisted opening knives – and they all suddenly would be classified as illegal switchblades.
He said the change came after the incoming administration of President Barack Obama reassigned some managers at the agency.
"What we do know is when the incoming administration reshuffled assignments at Customs, it moved the responsibility for knives and switchblades from one organization with Customs to a new organization," he said. "That group has, as far we can tell, virtually no experiences, background or anything with knives."
Ritter said the reason for the change isn't clear, "but certainly this administration is no friend to things like knives and guns," he said.
A successful campaign to change the definition would mean thousands would be out of work in the knife industry, and the impact would have far-reaching effects.
For example, if someone would be caught with a newly-illegal "pocketknife," would the resulting charges be structured to allege that person was dangerous or had an illegal weapon, and how would that change the defendant's right to own a firearm, he wondered.
"If this law were to pass and you cross the state line with a folder (pocketknife) in your pocket, it would be a federal felony," he said.
"In reality, pocketknives are tools, he said. "Certainly they can be used as a weapon." But so could a screw driver or other hand tools.
Wild Thing's comment.......
Is obama trying for “knife salesman of the year” as well? What’s next? motorcycle salesman of the year?
This is so pathetic! Out of all the problems facing the country right no....ALL brought on by Obama,, they can’t find anything better to do. Will they ban bow and arrows, rocks and sticks next? Baseball bats?
I have always had knives, knives and guns like part of nature. hahahaha
If this law passes, just transporting a pocket knife across state lines will be a felony. I wish this were a joke.
What is this thing that Obama has against sharp, pointed objects? Like how he ordered the graduating midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy not to be allowed to have their Swords. NO other President ever did such a vile horrible thing, never.
President Bush with a sword.
LMAO I bet this would really FREAK out the Obama limpy wrist. BOO Obama!
Major von Tempsky's....the Von Tempsky Bowie
.
....Thank you Mark for sending this to me.
Mark
3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment
1/9 Marines aka The Walking Dead
VN 66-67
Posted by Wild Thing at June 12, 2009 07:46 AM
Comments
Just another right taken away...at this rate the constitution will be a memory by Christmas, which will probably be changed by then.
Posted by: Mark at June 12, 2009 12:20 PM
Folks, I do not think he can legally do this.
Somebody better get on it. This man is a lunatic and wants to own us body and soul.
Posted by: ava at June 12, 2009 12:28 PM
Folks, I do not think he can legally do this.
Somebody better get on it. This man is a lunatic and wants to own us body and soul.
Posted by: ava at June 12, 2009 12:30 PM
I always carried a small pocket knife as a kid. Today I guess there are at least three or four government agencies that would prohibit that - OSHA, EPA, DHS, FBI, FDA, FAA, etc.
We are all just one small step from being government subjects. obama is taking that small step with a giant leap.
Posted by: TomR at June 12, 2009 01:46 PM
Knife Control Now!
"People don't kill people, knives do!"
Does this Whitehouse wingnut have no shame? Does he not know that the European cities that have tried this got increased home invasions crime by gangs armed with sport bats?
Maybe he is just trying to provoke rebellion that he can "put down."
Posted by: Avitar at June 12, 2009 01:54 PM
I am with all of you. It's idiotic. Just watch how fast I can kill a man with a #2 pencil. Opppsss...I just spoiled it for a lot of elementary kids. Sorry boys and girls.
Posted by: Steve Gaston, USMC at June 12, 2009 02:45 PM
Heh, he has to go. Then that black bastard Hussein won't like my little sheath knife or my little pocket knives either. Hope you sustain a bit of FOD Komrad Hussein. Ever wonder just how bad a bayonet feels? Believe it, I don't wonder, you'll know. I hope someone talks to you really slow Komrad, up close and personal, ever so slowly with a dull, rusty bayonet, twisting it very slowly too.
Bingo Avitar "Maybe he is just trying to provoke rebellion that he can "put down.""
Gotta strip for entry into the GFZ for graduation ceremonies, later!!!
Posted by: Jack at June 12, 2009 03:06 PM
