Coming next the U.S.A.: Knife Control?

Editor's Note: Although this does not concern firearms, it will most definitely be of interest to many self defense-minded people who carry a firearm (and possibly also a knife).

By Jim Shepherd

...The Customs and Border Patrol is proposing revocation of an earlier interpretation of what constitutes a switchblade knife. If their revocation goes through, many of us who carry one-hand opening pocket knives might find ourselves breaking the law should we cross a state line. Interstate trafficking in switchblades is illegal.

See where this is headed?

If it weren't for the method CBP used to try and sneak this proposal through their public comment periods, it would look like another proposal from a bureaucrat. Instead, it looks like the first step toward what could be an attack on knives. Sounds silly until you realize that the United Kingdom and other similarly "enlightened" European nations have basically outlawed carried knives for any purpose.

We all know our federal government today seems determined to follow the European example on virtually anything that's an impingement on individual rights.

Doug Ritter of KnifeRights.org has been pushing for an extension of the normal 30-day comment period on the proposal. Yesterday, he notified us the CBP had refused the extension.

CBP's proposal would have effects far beyond that suggested in the title of the proposal, "Proposed Revocation Of Ruling Letters And Revocation Of Treatment Relating To The Admissibilty Of Certain Knives With Spring-Assisted Opening Mechanisms.

That would be bad, since it would make about eighty percent of the pocket knives currently sold in the US illegal. Translate that into ruined businesses, lost jobs and more unemployment.

And it could potentially open the door for state and local governments to take the same measures. Many states do not set their own definitions, instead using the federal government's definitions as to what is lawful or unlawful. The knife industry has protested, along with KnifeRights.org and the Second Amendment Foundation, but it seems it's going to take either an outpouring of public protest or action by a Congressman or Congressmen with the ability to hit a federal agency in the only place they seem to mind - the budget.

The public comment period ends June 21, and all comments must be submitted in writing, either by FedEx/UPS or the USPS. If you're interested in protesting this latest attempted affront to our rights, you can see a model letter created by KnifeRights.org at: http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81&...

Republished from The Outdoor Wire.