Tennessee on the Edge of Repealing Knife Ban

Gun Watch ^ | 26 March, 2014 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Knives are arms protected by the second amendment.

In  1958 the U.S. government banned the interstate sale of switchblade  knives.   It was a stupid law that accomplished nothing but to inconvenience law abiding people while setting another in a long line of incremental precedents toward unlimited federal power.  In 1958, the federal government still recognized that the commerce clause in the constitution did not grant it unlimited power, so the ban was only on interstate commerce, not on manufacture or possession.  Not surprisingly, its major proponent was a New York representative from New York City.

In recent years, Knife Rights, an organization that labels its work as "the second front in defense of the second amendment", has had considerable success in starting to roll back these silly infringements on the right to keep and bear arms.   They have lobbied for and have passed knife preemption laws in Arizona, Utah, New Hampshire, Georgia, Kansas, Alaska, and Tennessee.

Tennessee is on the verge of repealing the ban on switchblade (automatic) knives, and the possession of knives with blades over four inches in length, with "intent to go armed".   On 24 March, 2014, SB1771 passed the Tennessee General Assembly 75-16.  It has already passed the Senate, and now goes to Governor Bill Haslam for signature.

For those who want to assist in the passage of SB1771, Knife Rights has these suggestions:

Phone the Governor's office at 615-741-2001,

or Email: bill.haslam@state.tn.us.

Just ask the Governor to sign SB1771.  Short and to the point.

©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
Link to Gun Watch

[marktwain]

The carry of knives should be protected under the Constitution. Unfortunately, there are tens of thousands of local laws and ordinances that make it difficult to travel with a knife without fear of arrest in the United States.

[PapaBear3625]

As a first step, have CCW (concealed carry of a weapon) mean you can carry ANY weapon on you: handgun, knife, pepper spray, taser, telescoping baton, shotgun stuffed down your pants leg, whatever.

[Yorlik803]

The ban on switchblades was a response to Hispanic Gangs who used these weapons. It was a racist law.

[BwanaNdege]

Massachusetts Law: (Sorry about the formatting. In the original this is ONE SENTENCE)

"Section 12. Whoever manufactures or causes to be manufactured, or sells or exposes for sale, an instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as a dirk knife, a switch knife or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which the blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches or a device or case which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn at a locked position, any ballistic knife, or any knife with a detachable blade capable of being propelled by any mechanism, slung shot, sling shot, bean blower (do they mean "peas shooters"? - gimme a break!), sword cane, pistol cane, bludgeon, blackjack, nunchaku, zoobow, also known as klackers or kung fu sticks, or any similar weapon consisting of two sticks of wood, plastic or metal connected at one end by a length of rope, chain, wire or leather, a shuriken or any similar pointed starlike object intended to injure a person when thrown, or a manrikigusari or similar length of chain having weighted ends; or metallic knuckles or knuckles of any other substance which could be put to the same use and with the same or similar effect as metallic knuckles, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months; provided, however, that sling shots may be manufactured and sold to clubs or associations conducting sporting events where such sling shots are used.

[GregoTX]

Texas finally dropped its law prohibiting the possession of automatic knives.... as long as it only has a single edge.

[minnesota_bound]

It was in response to the those singing and dancing gang members from the “West Side” well that’s my story.... : )

[Tainan]

almost a sword ping

[Politically Correct]

As a first step, have CCW (concealed carry of a weapon) mean you can carry ANY weapon on you: handgun, knife, pepper spray, taser, telescoping baton, shotgun stuffed down your pants leg, whatever.

As a CCW permit holder in Missouri, I believe that it's true that you may carry concealed any weapon. Brass knuckles?....sure! Switchblade?...no problem! Swordcane?.....why not!

[jagusafr]

San Antonio bans lockback knives with blades under 5.5 inches, because state law bans them over that length. Supposedly was in order to have a reason to hassle gangbangers, and I’ve actually been told by cops that “We wouldn’t enforce it against YOU, ‘cuz you’re a law-abiding citizen”. Whiskey. Tango. Fox.

I carry one anyway. I’ll wager 95% of boys growing up in Texas have had knives in their pockets since age 6 or so. It’s a tool.

[oldasrocks]

PapaBear, You’re wrong about switchblades. They are illegal in Missouri.

[marktwain]

Texas needs knife preemption. I would think they could get it. it is not all that controversial.

[Gaffer]

West Side Story was the impetus I believe.

[Politically Correct]

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on Monday signed SB489, Knife Rights' legislation repealing the ban on possession, sale and manufacture of switchblade knives in Missouri as long as it is not "in violation of federal law." In practical terms, all that means is that you cannot do so in interstate commerce or on Indian reservations or elsewhere that federal regulations may prevent such activities.

Knife Rights worked closely with the National Rifle Association to include this important legislation in a CCW reform bill. We appreciate the NRA as a strong partner in our second front in defense of the Second Amendment™.

The enactment of this bill is another example of our aggressive and effective legislative agenda protecting and enhancing your knife rights.

This was in 2012. Just so you know.