Switch Blade

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gunner03

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Can someone define switch blade as far as MN. goes.
I ask because when I was in SD I saw knifes that swung open from the side at the touch of a button at Cabela's. Is this different than a SWITCH BLADE and is it legal in MN.???
 
I think those would be assisted opening folders. Not sure on your laws though.
 
"Switchblades" are generally defined by a blade that opens by the means of a button. If for example, it flings open using a spring actuated by touching the blade only (like a thumbstud or flipper), then it is an assisted opener. These are generally legal in most locales. The ones that open via a button are generally LEO/military only. There are exceptions however as I know it is legal for a person in FL w/CCW to carry a button-actuated folder.
 
Section 609.66 of the Minnesota Criminal Code refers to "a switch blade knife opening automatically". Can't say if Minnesota would consider the knives you saw switchblades or not.
 
If you pushed a button mounted in the scale/handle of the knife and the blade popped open it was a switchblade.

If you pushed on the thumbstud attached to the blade or a "flipper" attached to the blade it was an assisted opener.

Take a look at this table http://www.amatecon.com/switchblade.html


Minnesota
Possession Legal? Y1
Carry Legal? N

South Dakota
Possession Legal? Y
Carry Legal? Y


1Possession banned, but exception made for collectors and/orpossession as curios or antiques


Note the button on the scale/handle of this switchblade.
tas_bsa1.jpg
 
You should be aware of city ordinances too. In my town in Kansas the definition in city regulations of a switchblade is "any knife designed to be opened with one hand". As I understand it the wording was intended to outlaw butterfly knives.
 
Interesting link. I have no idea how accurate that information is. It shows Nevada as being illegal for possesion or carry. But I see them all the time, in stores, at gunshows and I know a ton of people who carry one. :confused:
Who knows ?
I own a number of them, but never carry them. IMO they became obsolete when the assisted openers came out. I can have my Emerson Commander open, in my hand far faster than any switchblade I own. And the Commander definitely isn't a switchblade, so it is faster and no legal hassle (however remote).
 
Nevada - Crimes against public health and safety. 202.350.
1. It is unlawful for a person within this state to:
(a) Manufacture or cause to be manufactured, or import into
the state, or keep, offer or expose for sale, or give,
lend or possess any knife which is made an integral part
of a belt buckle or any instrument or weapon of the kind
commonly known as switchblade knife...
 
switch blades are apparently legal here in south dakota (although if they want the cops will think of something). garys gunshop has some very expensive ones. I have a cheap mexican blade, push switch and blade comes directly out the top, another better german switch blade (push botton) blade swings out like conventional lockblade.Perfer an assisted opening kershaw with thumbstud myself. Get yourself a nice folder and save a few bucks
 
Switchblades are very illegal here in OH too, and they sell them at AutoZone.

Ayn Rand would be proud.
 
When I was 12 I bought one of the comes out the tip switch blades in Mexico. I thought I was soooooooo cool, since none of my buddies had one, and it even impressed my older sisters friends. Best $7 I ever spent. I still have that thing somewhere, finding it is another story. For my 16th birthday, my brother got me one that opened from the side at the push of a button. Apparently the flea market is full of them, all cheaply made.
 
I am not sure if this is correct terminology, but in Mexico, they call knives that have the blade come out from the front of the knife a stilletto and the ones that open from the side a switchblade.
When you walk down the street somewhere like Revolution Street in Tijunana, they are yelling out " Swishblay, Steeleto, we have just what you want " :D
 
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