Assisted opening knife classified the same as an auto open

[oilman]

I came across a post in another forum yesterday that said the District Attorney in Matagorda County considers the assisted opening knives like the Kershaw blur as a switchbalde. Do NOT know if he has tried to prosecute though.

I also learned that San Antonio has a city ordinance prohibiting the carring of a folding knife that locks open except in a few circumstances like travelling.

I will try to search down and include the links in a later post.

[oilman]

Discussion is contained in this thread.


http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.p ... ht=antonio

The San Antonio Ordinance is here. Search on Knife.

http://www.sanantonio.gov/codesrch.asp? ... 4&ver=true

Sec. 21-17. Certain knives prohibited generally; exceptions; penalty for violation.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly carry on or about his person a knife with a blade less than five and one-half (5 1/2) inches in length, which knife is equipped with a lock mechanism so that upon opening, it becomes a fixed blade knife.
(b) The above prohibition set forth in subsection (a) shall not be applicable to a person carrying such a knife:
(1) In the actual discharge of his duties as a peace officer, a member of the armed forces or national guard, or a guard employed by a penal institution;
(2) On his own premises or premises under his control;
(3) Traveling;
(4) Engaged in lawful hunting, fishing or other lawful sporting activity; or
(5) Using such a knife in connection with a lawful occupation, during such utilization.
(Code 1959, § 26-28.1)
Cross references: Regulation of firearms and weapons, § 21-151 et seq.; possession of a knife, § 21-155.

[flintknapper]

I came across a post in another forum yesterday that said the District Attorney in Matagorda County considers the assisted opening knives like the Kershaw blur as a switchbalde. Do NOT know if he has tried to prosecute though.

I also learned that San Antonio has a city ordinance prohibiting the carring of a folding knife that locks open except in a few circumstances like travelling.

I will try to search down and include the links in a later post.

Unfortunately,

There are certain DA's and Police Chiefs (sworn to uphold the law) that choose instead..to apply their own interpretation of it. A good example of this involves the infamous "traveling" question. Those of you who reside in Harris county should be familiar with a (certain person's) feelings about that one.

I am surprised to hear of the ordinance concerning folding knives in San Antonio. I would be less surprised if it were a more liberal city like Austin. I suspect the ordinance is largely ignored by the public.. and probably not real high on the officers priority list either.


Thank You, for sharing... and for the time spent researching.

[longtooth]

I suspect the ordinance is largely ignored by the public.. and probably not real high on the officers priority list either.

True. My son is stationed at Lackland as a MTI. Been in security for 16 of his 18 yrs. Real close to some of the PD there. Says they pay no attention to it unless a crime is committed with it.

[flintknapper]

I somehow managed to snag my knife on a shelf at work today. It hit the floor and immediately snapped open. I was quite surprised because I believe it must have hit exactly on the "spur" on the back of the blade in order for it to open.

In any case, it darn sure did.

I bet I couldn't get it to do that again if I tried. Strange.

[1TallTXn]

I've got a Kershaw that I picked up at walmart for $25. It has no assist whatsoever. but I can get it open as fast as many of the assisted knives i've seen.

and as for the locking blade in SA, thats stupid. IMO a non-locking blade is just asking to get the holder of the knife hurt. I know i've done it with my non-locking knives. of course I NEVER use the knife for a screwdriver/pry bar/etc

[jimlongley]

In the knife world, we commonly leave 1/4"-1/2" of "wiggle room". The reason for this is because there is no federally mandated method of measuring blade length. In one state it may refer to the length of the "cutting edge" only. In another it may be from the tip to the handle or bolster. Another may deem the total length (of a folder) to be the entire blade including the portion within the handle.

For this reason, it is wise to know how the manufacturer determines their blade length, and if unsure...go down a 1/2".

But, per the law...you are certainly correct.

When I worked at TSA we has some overzealous types (and they STILL work there) who liked to think that they had a mandate to enforce all sorts of federal laws besides making life uncomfortable for the traveling public.

If someone spotted a knife in a checked bag, even though it was perfectly legal to transport knives in general in CHECKED bags, this one person used to like to get them out and measure them. If they had a blade longer than 2.5" according to his measure, he would declare them illegal under federal law (which defines a knife with a blade length of more than 2.5" as a weapon) and call the passenger back and call the LEOs and raise a general stink.

One of the reasons I hated working there so much, he is in a "position of authority."

And he measured the entire length of the metal, including the part within the bolster, in order to come up with the disqualifying length.

Once I pointed out that the knife that he was being such an (insert expletive here) about was advertised as a 2.5" blade, and he stated that that was just an effort by the knife manufacturers to get around the law.

[yerasimos]

jimlongley's account makes me think of, "It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you."