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| Hobby Forum Index » Hunting » U.S. Customs wants to take your folding knife.... |
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| Len McDougall, Outdoor Writer... |
 Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:43 pm |
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Guest
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Because I'm an outdoor writer who frequently covers knives in my books
and for numerous outdoor magazines, I get updates like the one below.
This one is important, because it's one more confiscation of the
rights you're supposed to have - and in many instances don't - as an
American citizen. This probosed ban on working-class knives is only
the beginning.
Len McDougall, Author/Wilderness Guide
Dear Valued Organization,
We need the immediate political strength and action of your
organization and its members as the Obama administration, acting
through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has proposed to
ban all assisted opening knives.
In a lengthy ruling, U.S. Customs arbitrarily reversed itself, and
rescinded all its rulings which agreed that assisted opening knives
were not “switchblades” and could be imported. They have now
determined that they are going to treat all assisted opening folders,
regardless of size or blade shape, as prohibited “switchblades.”
Obviously, assisted opening knives are one of the most popular
categories of folders being sold today for “utilitarian use”, and such
a ruling will have a devastating affect on the knife industry in these
difficult economic times. Many millions of assisted openers have been
sold by the knife industry over the past 11 years.
Even though assisted openers are legal in all 50 states, and have been
upheld as legal by many previous court rulings, the net affect of the
U.S. Customs decision will be to make it illegal to transport these
knives across state lines, either in commerce, or as a personal
carry.
Clearly, the administration is trying to make an end run around the
normal Congressional lawmaking process and the will of the American
people. That is why it is critical that you get on the phone, or write
a letter (sample attached) telling your U.S. Senators and U.S.
Representative why this ruling-- the U.S. Customs’ plan (19 CFR Part
177) to re-classify assisted openers and all folding knives-- must be
stopped (to view this ruling, please visit www.akti.org, click on
“U.S. Customs Proposal” and then on the link “Read the U.S. Customs
Proposal 19 CFR Part 177” which is on the left hand side of the page).
We are also attaching some fact sheets from the American Knife & Tool
Institute, and you can visit their web site www.akti.org for
additional information. AKTI needs your membership now more than
ever, and as you have probably already guessed AKTI needs your
donation to lobby this issue effectively or fight the potential legal
battle.
Perhaps you are thinking, “I only use conventional sport folders that
have no assist.” A careful reading of the proposed Customs ruling
makes it clear that they would like to also reclassify all folding
knives that can be opened with one hand as “switchblades.”
It must be noted that when the original Switchblade Act of 1958 was
enacted, it was in response to a perceived “juvenile delinquency”
problem and teenage gangs. There was never any data submitted to
Congress which showed a connection of the banned dagger-style
“stiletto” button-lock automatic openers, nor was there a statistical
increase in violent crime.
For your convenience we have attached a letter that you are welcome to
use to contact your respective elected Senators and Representatives.
Please also pass this information along to any individuals in your
company/network who are interested in voicing their personal opinion
on this issue. Simply follow this link to get the information you need
to contact your congressman http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
What this means to sportsmen, craftsmen, and all knife users, is that
your right to “bear arms” can be infringed, one step at a time, until
nearly all folding knives, except the smallest pen knives, are
declared illegal as they are in England and Australia.
Your second amendment rights and the survival of the American knife
and tool industry are at stake.
Cordially,
Rod Bremer, President
Columbia River Knife & Tool |
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