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Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: twyacht on April 07, 2011, 08:08:53 PM

Title: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: twyacht on April 07, 2011, 08:08:53 PM
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42458722/ns/us_news-weird_news/

I guess a tactical adjustment to the ADA...

Maine legalizing switchblades for one-armed people


Reuters
updated 4/7/2011 12:03:39 PM ET 2011-04-07T16:03:39

Maine lawmakers on Wednesday approved legalizing switchblades for people with one arm, moving close to becoming the first state to make such an exception to laws that ban use of the spring-action knives.


Backers of the measure say legalizing switchblades would eliminate a need for one-armed people to be forced to open folding knives with their teeth in emergencies.


The bill to allow amputees and other one-armed people to carry the quick-opening knives cleared Maine's Senate on Wednesday after passing the House on Tuesday, Senate officials said.


Until now, Maine banned the use of switchblades by anyone.


In most states, carrying switchblades is illegal in most circumstances, though owning the knives may be allowed in some states.

Federal law allows their use by a person with one arm only on federal property if the blade is shorter than three inches.

The Maine bill requires that the knives have a blade that is three inches or shorter.


Gov. Paul LePage is expected to sign the measure into law in the next couple of days, said spokeswoman Adrienne Bennett.

****

Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: Ichiban on April 07, 2011, 08:15:01 PM
Well, that's mighty nice of them. ::)

Colorado law doesn't even consider it a knife unless the blade is 3 1/2" or longer.
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: Big Frank on April 07, 2011, 09:38:40 PM
Maine isn't the first state to pass such a law. Michigan allows switchblades for one handed people and has for as long as I can remember. I wrongly assumed most other states did that too. Oh wait. That makes too much sense.
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: kmitch200 on April 07, 2011, 09:44:00 PM
Are one armed people more trustworthy and law abiding than people with 2 arms? Go the extra mile and get rid of the whole stupid law. 
As JFrank said, "Oh wait. That makes too much sense."

I often wondered why the opening part is so important rather than focusing on what you do with it after opening.

Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: mkm on April 07, 2011, 10:03:02 PM
Maine isn't the first state to pass such a law. Michigan allows switchblades for one handed people and has for as long as I can remember. I wrongly assumed most other states did that too. Oh wait. That makes too much sense.

I guess I wrongly assumed most states allowed switchblades for two-handed people.   ???  I've never thought too much about it.

On a side note, most modern knives can be opened one-handed about as quick and easy as a switchblade.
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: fightingquaker13 on April 07, 2011, 10:12:56 PM
Sorry, but Florida does allow them with a CCW. No need to lose an arm. "Assisted opening" knives, which I think is PC for switch blades, are just fine.
FQ13
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: bjtraz on April 07, 2011, 10:36:38 PM
Sorry, but Florida does allow them with a CCW. No need to lose an arm. "Assisted opening" knives, which I think is PC for switch blades, are just fine.
FQ13

I'm not sure of the legalese of Florida, but Missouri defines "assisted opening" knives as being different than "switch blades". Assisted opening knives have to have an action on the persons part to start the opening, other than pushing a button, but can still contain a spring. Usually a tab or metal aperature attached to the blade that the user pushes on to begin the process. These are legal, depending on size, for all persons. A true switch blade opens out the front or side by way of button or hidden "trick" (One I've SEEN is opened by sliding the handle slightly to the side). These are only legal for for emergency persons.
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: fightingquaker13 on April 07, 2011, 10:40:36 PM
You may be right. I don't own one and so haven't looked at it beyond the basic regs. Haz, Fullauto? Any words of wisdom?
FQ13
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: mkm on April 07, 2011, 10:46:07 PM
Last gun show I went to in Alabama, there were just about as many switchblades for sale as guns.  As well as many other fun items that would likely be a felony to even look at in Kali, Illinoise, Mass, NY, etc.
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: tombogan03884 on April 07, 2011, 10:55:40 PM
NH Passed a law legalizing switch blades, (for every one ) months ago.
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: kmitch200 on April 08, 2011, 04:33:28 AM
A true switch blade opens out the front or side by way of button or hidden "trick" (One I've SEEN is opened by sliding the handle slightly to the side). These are only legal for for emergency persons.

That sucks.
In AZ you walk into a Sportsmans Warehouse, (and a whole bunch of other places), plunk down your money and walk out with one. 

Maybe our legislature hasn't seen West Side Story.  ::)
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: Hazcat on April 08, 2011, 08:21:05 AM
In Florida if you have a CCW then the only type of knife that is NOT allowed is on that actually shoots the blade (never saw one myself).  Without a CCW you can own a switch balde but you cannot carry it.
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: tombogan03884 on April 08, 2011, 08:52:24 AM
Ballistic Knives, Atlanta Cutlery used to carry one, supposedly Chinese Army issue.
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: DGF on April 08, 2011, 01:31:44 PM
I carry a Gerber assisted opening knife here in Virginia. They are legal.
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: TAB on April 08, 2011, 04:15:13 PM
remember the diving knife that had a co2 cartrage?   lots of states ended up banning those lol.

they were designed to be used against a shark attack...   inject a larage ammount of co2 with a stab.  I'm sure they did lots and lots of damage.  tons of power stored in those things.
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: fightingquaker13 on April 08, 2011, 11:29:19 PM
In Florida if you have a CCW then the only type of knife that is NOT allowed is on that actually shoots the blade (never saw one myself).  Without a CCW you can own a switch balde but you cannot carry it.
The "Flying knife". it was a product of the '80s and about as practical as a Mac-11. ::) Why I can't carry one, but can carry a perfectly good handgun is beyond me, but I've long since stopped trying to figure out the Florida legislature. (Maybe they just want to save the mall ninjas who would buy one the embarrassment). ;D
FQ13 
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: MikeBjerum on April 09, 2011, 08:52:59 AM
This is one of the irritating situations!

Why do we need legislation like this?  #1.  Why are these knives banned?  #2.  Why a special allowance for a certain group of individuals?  #3.  Why the total lack of knowledge by law makers as to the fact that anyone capable of using a knife can use anyone of the modern knives and open them just as fast and easy as a "switchblade"?
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: tombogan03884 on April 09, 2011, 08:57:24 AM
Because they are, (to steal from Sledge ) "Knob gobbing wankers".
I've been dieing to find a use for that ever since I read it  ;D
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: MikeBjerum on April 09, 2011, 09:20:29 AM
Because they are, (to steal from Sledge ) "Knob gobbing wankers".
I've been dieing to find a use for that ever since I read it  ;D

Are you going to use that as a campaign line, in your inaugural address, or your first State of the Union address  ;)
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: tt11758 on April 09, 2011, 09:39:04 AM
Are you going to use that as a campaign line, in your inaugural address, or your first State of the Union address  ;)

Yes.  ;D
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: bjtraz on April 09, 2011, 12:14:16 PM
This is one of the irritating situations!

Why do we need legislation like this?  #1.  Why are these knives banned?  #2.  Why a special allowance for a certain group of individuals?  #3.  Why the total lack of knowledge by law makers as to the fact that anyone capable of using a knife can use anyone of the modern knives and open them just as fast and easy as a "switchblade"?


+ 100

This makes absolutely no sense. I can carry any firearm that I can conceal, and some that I can't in certain parts of the state, but I can't carry a 3" automatic knife?!? ???
Title: Re: Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens
Post by: tombogan03884 on April 09, 2011, 07:35:32 PM

+ 100

This makes absolutely no sense. I can carry any firearm that I can conceal, and some that I can't in certain parts of the state, but I can't carry a 3" automatic knife?!? ???

Sux to be you. Up here in YANKEE land I can carry anything I can afford  ;D