Can LEO's have automatic knives?

[SkyStorm82]

Eltee, what's a P&P?

[Anchors]

Sap Gloves are illegal too?

[tom2]

I have been told that Military and Federal LEO can carry. LEO in CA (state, county and local) cannot....

Nothing to back this though...

good luck.


t2

Just a simple question to settle a discussion.

Can LEO's posses automatic knives? We tried searching the interwebs but our skills were not up to par.

We have found out MIL guys can have them and that anyone can have them if under 2" and we saw all the federal laws about shipping and transporting across state lines but no clear answer if sworn LEO's can posses them. A link would help if you find the answer.

[JoeFaz]

Just a simple question to settle a discussion.

Can LEO's posses automatic knives? We tried searching the interwebs but our skills were not up to par.

We have found out MIL guys can have them and that anyone can have them if under 2" and we saw all the federal laws about shipping and transporting across state lines but no clear answer if sworn LEO's can posses them. A link would help if you find the answer.

Depends on your description of an "automatic knife". I have several of them, bought perfectly legally, in California, at bone fide knife stores with no ID required or requested, one in a mall, even. But these are not, as described by the penal code, "switch blades". For example, one of them is a Kershaw Leak. It springs open and locks, but you need to perform a specific movement other than simply pressing a button to release the spring mechanism. If done slowly, the blade will not open all the way. Therein lies the difference. A "push button" or "switch blade" is designed to deploy fully at the touch of a button. A "spring assist" or "assisted opening" blade will not.

[Elmer]

Eltee, what's a P&P?

Policy and procedure.....

[mig79]

no exemption from what i have read, but my emerson with the wave feature is faster than any auto knive i have handled (out of the pocket).

[lehn20]

hmm I could have sworn I saw somewhere EMTs/Paramedics/leo etc were exempt, but maybe that was just an interpretation by someone and not law.

[inbox485]

Anybody know where I can find historical revisions to those sections. I could have sworn there were exemptions for LEOs at one time.

[Joe]

My understanding is that if your department approves, a full time law enforcement officer can carry one on duty. Just like a sap, sap gloves or a baton!

S&W makes a knife called Magic that is a switch blade, they don't call it that, that they will sell to the public. My son bought one off E-Bay, and they are kind of neat.

The MAGIC is spring assist, not a switch blade.

It is my belief the Magic is a switchblade and illegal to carry.

The opening mechanism on the back of the knife is a mechanical device, not part of the blade. This makes it no different than conventional switchblades.

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85670

[Roccobro]

Thanks for your input guys. Another point was brought up while reading the 12020 section.

We did not see an exemption specifically for LEOs and saps or blackjacks but they are carried, or is there an exemption for those that we missef

I've never seen a LEO carrying a sap or blackjack. What jurisdiction have you seen these carried by if you don't mind?

It is my belief the Magic is a switchblade and illegal to carry.

The opening mechanism on the back of the knife is a mechanical device, not part of the blade. This makes it no different than conventional switchblades.

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85670

Watching the videos and handling other knives with the "tang" on the back I have to disagree. The tang IS a part of the blade. Does your link have an exploded view to provide clarification?

Justin

[POLICESTATE]

Anybody know where I can find historical revisions to those sections. I could have sworn there were exemptions for LEOs at one time.

It was probably a "gentlemen's agreement" between LE and DA's or some such. Complete guess on my part mind you.

[inbox485]

It was probably a "gentlemen's agreement" between LE and DA's or some such. Complete guess on my part mind you.

I've seen the brass pass first hand, but I doubt it goes that far.

[Joe]

I've never seen a LEO carrying a sap or blackjack. What jurisdiction have you seen these carried by if you don't mind?




Watching the videos and handling other knives with the "tang" on the back I have to disagree. The tang IS a part of the blade. Does your link have an exploded view to provide clarification?

Justin

Nope, just a discussion about the knife.

The videos I've seen lead me to believe the knife is a switchblade. I don't believe the tang is part of the blade.

[ke6guj]

Watching the videos and handling other knives with the "tang" on the back I have to disagree. The tang IS a part of the blade. Does your link have an exploded view to provide clarification?

Justin

looking at the "magic" videos, it appears that that "tang" is not part of the blade like many other knives have, but is actually a lever that pushes on the blade. Look at the tang after the blade has been opened and it is still in the same place on the handle. It did not move with the blade to the other side of the handle.

I would agree that a Magic, without that "tang feature" would be a regular spring-assist knive, since you are directly pushing on the blade to open it. but with the tang, you are pushing on a lever to cause the blade to open and that gets closer to the definiition of a switchbade.

[Joe]

looking at the "magic" videos, it appears that that "tang" is not part of the blade like many other knives have, but is actually a lever that pushes on the blade. Look at the tang after the blade has been opened and it is still in the same place on the handle. It did not move with the blade to the other side of the handle.

I would agree that a Magic, without that "tang feature" would be a regular spring-assist knive, since you are directly pushing on the blade to open it. but with the tang, you are pushing on a lever to cause the blade to open and that gets closer to the definiition of a switchbade.

This is exactly how I feel about it.

If the tang were part of the blade it would move significantly when the blade opened. See the kershaw leek for reference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNCKVpIEtuE&feature=related