Posted on 09/16/2018 8:19:15 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
LAS VEGAS — He ordered the 20-ounce rib-eye, and so the waitress at the upscale restaurant dropped off a wood-handled serrated steak knife. Doug Ritter ignored it. Instead he pulled out a folding knife, its 3.4-inch blade illegal to carry concealed here in Clark County. He flicked it open with one hand. When the steak arrived, medium-rare, he started cutting.
The steak dinner came as Ritter was savoring his many successful attempts at repealing the nation’s knife laws. Decades-old restrictions on switchblades, daggers and stilettos have fallen away in state after state in recent years. Much of this is because of Ritter and his little-known Arizona-based advocacy group Knife Rights, which has used tactics borrowed from the National Rifle Association to rack up legislative victories across the nation. And many of the changes have escaped widespread notice, obscured, in part, by the nation’s focus on guns.
But knife fans know. The morning after his steak dinner, Ritter walked like a celebrity into a major knife convention here.
“Thank you for everything you’re doing for us. Really,” an official with knife maker Ka-Bar told him.
“I live in Louisiana, so thank you,” said another convention-goer, hailing from a state that abandoned its switchblade ban this summer.
Ritter, 65, said that knives, like guns, should be considered arms protected by the Second Amendment. He doesn’t support any restriction on knives — not on switchblades or push daggers or even the ballistic knives that shoot like spears from a handle.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Around 30 years ago, I read Florida’s law on concealed weapons. To my surprise it literally listed “Buck Knives” as forbidden.
I can’t imagine that such an ambiguous law would survive a court test but who knows?
They know that the people they charge for carrying a “buck knife” won’t be able to afford a real lawyer.
Stilettos can be very dangerous. Every so often, I hear about a woman (or a Trans-’woman’) taking their high heeled shoe off and battering somebody in the head with it.
I don’t know what effect this organization would have on somebody who wielded their shoe as an OFFENSIVE weapon, vs for purposes of self-defense.
He certainly keeps his group Knife Rights under the radar. I’ve never heard of it. They probably differ from the typical rights group of today, in that Knife Rights does not seek a lot of on the air exposure through interviews and debates.
Even illannoy legalized switchblades. BUT you have to be 21 and have a firearms owners ID card (FOID).
Just don’t go to London or CA where butter knives and straws are illegal. :D
Stupid people making stupid laws for ridiculous reasons.
Does this mean I can finally buy an Arkansas Toothpick? Uh ... for a friend I mean ...
I carry a switchblade as a backup.
Amen
I go to the Steakhouse all the time with my Benchmade knife.
Its got an M390 supersteel blade.
I carry a Kershaw for steak. Not in the UK however.
While you were formatting your post, this was also posted: https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3687950/posts “A California man was arrested Sunday after allegedly attempting to stab a Republican congressional candidate with a switchblade . . .”
I’m a big fan of knife rights and gun rights. “Shall not be infringed” is unambiguous and means exactly what it says. I hope our side wins and not the side of violent thugs. Democrats consider it a victory if they murder a patriot and another victory if their violence leads to disarming decent people.
Bullhockey! I wore a buck knife whenever I was out riding my horse in my younger years. Came in handy for lots of things including once I needed to repair the bridle on my horse. Have constantly carried a folding buck knife for the last umpteen years in my pocket or my purse. I even occasionally use my treasured Girl Scout knife I got when I was twelve years old. I keep them all sharp and handy including others like my skinning knife and a couple I use when I’m fishing. Knives are TOOLS to be used appropriately, but are also useful if need be as a defensive weapon. ALL girls/women should always carry a knife and know how to use it.
I’m the happy owner of 2 Doug Ritter Benchmade knives. A full size Griptillian and my EDC, a Mini Griptillian. Excellent knives, and the Axis lock is my favorite blade locking system.
Just don’t go to London or CA where butter knives and straws are illegal.
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But in France, most men carry a knife which they use at table in the home or out to eat in a restaurant. They are never without their knife. Brits have hissey fits over knives with a blade over 2 1/2 inches. Butter knife is n appropriate description.
If that's so, the law has been ignored with extreme prejudice.
Trust me on this.
I have a razor-sharp switchblade less than a handspan from my left elbow. A good tool.
WTF?
I guarantee you one thing, ain't NOTHING cut with the Benchmade that's been riding in my pocket for the last five years going in MY mouth. :-)
I just don’t get the whole thing with “switchblades.”
Automatic openers are damn handy when the hand you normally would have to use opening your knife is busy holding whatever it is you need to cut.
Beyond that, I’m just plain mystified....
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