Maine Allows Switchblades For One Armed Citizens

[twyacht]

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.

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[Ichiban]

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.

[Big Frank]

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.

[kmitch200]

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.

[mkm]

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.

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

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

[bjtraz]

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.

[fightingquaker13]

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

[mkm]

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.

[tombogan03884]

NH Passed a law legalizing switch blades, (for every one ) months ago.