Ban lifted on gravity knives????

As stated, balisongs have been legal and aren't even considered gravity knives in NYS. This does absolutely nothing for most knife enthusiasts. We need switchblades unregulated as it too and all the other retarded laws are unconstitutional. This is why they'd pick "gravity knives" because nobody wants a gravity knife anyways for the most part. Not something you see for sale often anyways, probably because of the low demand I'd imagine.

BDinPutnam said:

Glad there's no way anyone could POSSIBLY go to a store in another state and just buy one.

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Almost all of the knives people were getting charged for as "gravity knives" in NYC were sold openly at hardware and sporting goods chains in NYC. They didn't have to leave the city (you know how much NYC people hate to do that).

subsonic said:

Almost all of the knives people were getting charged for as "gravity knives" in NYC were sold openly at hardware and sporting goods chains in NYC. They didn't have to leave the city (you know how much NYC people hate to do that).

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Oh yeah, I know. I was referring to... other devices.

DAMMIT!
i literally just bought myself a complient knife in January! and my girlfriend a one in for Valentines day!

For me a SPYDERCO UKPK - a sub 3" slip joint knife.
for her a Spyderco SQUEEK - a Pink 2" slip joint.

now i can get a real nice knife.

I always like to give knives as presents for newborns or first birthdays.. the wife buys a cute set of baby overalls and I clip a Swiss army knife to them.. the last one didn't go over well with a few guests .. "who the hell gives a one year old a knife ? ) asked someone.. I spoke up , , me and nobody will fuck with Vinny's new sandbox now... the parents love me and the invitation for their new daughter is hanging on our fridge.. one pink knife coming up..

The "on our side " crew over at the policeone forums must be fuming. They use to GLOAT over the "collars" they would get for this nonsense in NYC.

"I tells ya what, if I stop a perp and grab his knife and I can flick it open with one hand, even if I have to jump off a curb to do it, collar."

I'm serious. They post like that. Check it out.

Darth said:

The "on our side " crew over at the policeone forums must be fuming. They use to GLOAT over the "collars" they would get for this nonsense in NYC.

"I tells ya what, if I stop a perp and grab his knife and I can flick it open with one hand, even if I have to jump off a curb to do it, collar."

I'm serious. They post like that. Check it out.

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They do, and they always have a list of reasons why these “perps” got what’s coming to them. Even though they are taking them to Riker’s for nothing but having a flipping knife in their pocket.

Darth said:

The "on our side " crew over at the policeone forums must be fuming. They use to GLOAT over the "collars" they would get for this nonsense in NYC.

"I tells ya what, if I stop a perp and grab his knife and I can flick it open with one hand, even if I have to jump off a curb to do it, collar."

I'm serious. They post like that. Check it out.

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They can still make an arrest for the violation of the local law just for being able to see the knife clip.

Truebeliever said:

They can still make an arrest for the violation of the local law just for being able to see the knife clip.

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Probably not. That’s a city code violation which would probably be an appearance ticket. Small fine, no jail (probably; maximum under law is 15 days; like a speeding ticket).

Versus gravity knives previously being a crime that could be a year in jail on first offense, felony with years in prison on subsequent offenses.

Legal Aid represented a guy who did four years for mouthing off at a cop when they found a Husky knife on him that he used for work.

Anyway, no clip no violation at all. While visible clips led to a lot of arrests, a lot were found in stop and frisks.

Truebeliever said:

They can still make an arrest for the violation of the local law just for being able to see the knife clip.

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They can also try not being a dick, but most don't.

subsonic said:

Probably not. That’s a city code violation which would probably be an appearance ticket. Small fine, no jail (probably; maximum under law is 15 days; like a speeding ticket).

Versus gravity knives previously being a crime that could be a year in jail on first offense, felony with years in prison on subsequent offenses.

Legal Aid represented a guy who did four years for mouthing off at a cop when they found a Husky knife on him that he used for work.

Anyway, no clip no violation at all. While visible clips led to a lot of arrests, a lot were found in stop and frisks.

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If the knife clip or sheath is visible, it’s a violation of the local law.

A Desk Appearance ticket is an arrest and can be issued for the old gravity knife charge as well if a misdemeanor ( some gravity knife charges could have been a felony before the law was changed if the person had certain priors).

If the guy was mouthing off, they arrested him for disorderly conduct or just frisked him and found the knife, it would not have been in public view and not a violation of that part of the local law.

The DA in Manhattan is letting drug dealers and thieves go but he will prosecute for knives in open view.

Be careful. They can still make arrests if the knife is in public view.

You can take a brand new Buck 110 folder, tight and stiff, - and flick it open with one hand. ( Hence the deadly and much feared 'gravity knife'). Just grab it by the blade edge, tightly, point up - give it a quick downward / upward flick - one hand, blade opened. The whole 'anti-switch blade' laws were not due to any plague of 'gang fights' and public mayhem - they were a knee-jerk reaction to 1950's movies like 'Blackboard Jungle' - downstate legislators were scared shitless by a movie - and had to do something to 'save the children'. It's NEW YORK - you don't HAVE to be stupid to be a politician here, but it helps!

wizrd said:

You can take a brand new Buck 110 folder, tight and stiff, - and flick it open with one hand. ( Hence the deadly and much feared 'gravity knife'). Just grab it by the blade edge, tightly, point up - give it a quick downward / upward flick - one hand, blade opened. The whole 'anti-switch blade' laws were not due to any plague of 'gang fights' and public mayhem - they were a knee-jerk reaction to 1950's movies like 'Blackboard Jungle' - downstate legislators were scared shitless by a movie - and had to do something to 'save the children'. It's NEW YORK - you don't HAVE to be stupid to be a politician here, but it helps!

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I agree.
Some states had the opposite feeling on folding blades. A concealed fixed blade was illegal but the folding or gravity knife gave a “fair warning “ if closed and then opened.

HEX said:

Tell that to the cop who took my extremely rare and valuable very early Benchmade bali many years ago at the threat of arrest for a gravity knife. If the law is changed and there's no dispute, I'd really like that back.

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Well, you won't be getting that back. He probably kept it for himself. You can find those on ebay too by the way, even though they're not supposed to be.

Truebeliever said:

If the knife clip or sheath is visible, it’s a violation of the local law.

A Desk Appearance ticket is an arrest and can be issued for the old gravity knife charge as well if a misdemeanor ( some gravity knife charges could have been a felony before the law was changed if the person had certain priors).

If the guy was mouthing off, they arrested him for disorderly conduct or just frisked him and found the knife, it would not have been in public view and not a violation of that part of the local law.

The DA in Manhattan is letting drug dealers and thieves go but he will prosecute for knives in open view.

Be careful. They can still make arrests if the knife is in public view.

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I am not a lawyer, but two very important things.

One, as you mentioned if the belt clip is visible then the knife is not concealed because a reasonable person would understand what that is. Two. if you are ever found with a knife on you, never ever state that you are carrying it for the purpose of personal protection or self-defense. It is always carried as a tool first and foremost.

Truebeliever said:

If the knife clip or sheath is visible, it’s a violation of the local law.

A Desk Appearance ticket is an arrest and can be issued for the old gravity knife charge as well if a misdemeanor ( some gravity knife charges could have been a felony before the law was changed if the person had certain priors).

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Ok, you got me, fellow pedant, but I what I really meant here was a summons, not an appearance ticket. Regardless, this local law was a violation, like a beer ticket, not a misdemeanor, and so while it would show up on your rap sheet it wouldn't be considered a "criminal" offense or record. I don't think folks normally got arrested much less booked for just a visible clip on a knife that didn't fail the "wrist flick" test or have other "evil" features.

Versus, again, the gravity knife law which was a misdemeanor that could bump up to a felony with years in prison.

Ok, stupid question... Is it not completely legal to have a have a clip pocket knife that can we opened with a flick of the wrist?

71velle said:

Ok, stupid question... Is it not completely legal to have a have a clip pocket knife that can we opened with a flick of the wrist?

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Do you mean "now"? Short answer is "yes" it is now. Just don't walk around with it showing outside your pocket in NYC (and no carrying knives > 4 inches in NYC either). And no switchblades (automatic or possibly assisted openers).

Before this law, provided the knife locked open, what you are describing could be considered a "gravity knife," which was very illegal under state law. Unless you were actually hunting or fishing with a valid license. (Switchblades still have the same exception).

subsonic said:

Ok, you got me, fellow pedant, but I what I really meant here was a summons, not an appearance ticket. Regardless, this local law was a violation, like a beer ticket, not a misdemeanor, and so while it would show up on your rap sheet it wouldn't be considered a "criminal" offense or record. I don't think folks normally got arrested much less booked for just a visible clip on a knife that didn't fail the "wrist flick" test or have other "evil" features.

Versus, again, the gravity knife law which was a misdemeanor that could bump up to a felony with years in prison.

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A criminal summons is correct providing proper identification and the discretion of the department. If they declare a strict enforcement zone which has happened, they will use that to “bring people in”. Be careful.

And the violation is technically not a crime but it can mess with getting LEO jobs or cause problems in getting a permit. Be careful.

I agree with you on the importance of it not being “criminal “.


I know a lot of city cops who made these arrests . They tell me there usually has to be another reason for an arrest even for a gravity knife with the older copsAnd yes, it can be as simple as the person mouthed off to them or lied to them. Or that they were told it was strict enforcement for the local law.

I think I even found out who might have arrested a fellow NY Forum poster for a knife( the story about “going fishing”). If it’s the same guy, he believes the guy was lying. It might be the same guy.

It’s the younger cops that tend to have taking it to whole new level. I heard one who charged CPW on a knife because it’s a dangerous instrument for illegal activity. I asked what was it. He says he carried it for self defense. I gave that guy such a tongue lashing but it goes in one ear and out the other with some.

just this minute, I got a bulletin from kniferights.org - saying DeBlasio has cited some archaic law that pertains to public transportation on NY'S subways - and that all subway riders WILL STILL BE VIGOROUSLY PROSECUTED UNDER THE 'ANTI-GRAVITY KNIFE LAW' - subway riders, take note.

wizrd said:

just this minute, I got a bulletin from kniferights.org - saying DeBlasio has cited some archaic law that pertains to public transportation on NY'S subways - and that all subway riders WILL STILL BE VIGOROUSLY PROSECUTED UNDER THE 'ANTI-GRAVITY KNIFE LAW' - subway riders, take note.

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Carry a pistol instead. Don't leave the clip exposed.

wizrd said:

just this minute, I got a bulletin from kniferights.org - saying DeBlasio has cited some archaic law that pertains to public transportation on NY'S subways - and that all subway riders WILL STILL BE VIGOROUSLY PROSECUTED UNDER THE 'ANTI-GRAVITY KNIFE LAW' - subway riders, take note.

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Assholes got to ass.

wizrd said:

just this minute, I got a bulletin from kniferights.org - saying DeBlasio has cited some archaic law that pertains to public transportation on NY'S subways - and that all subway riders WILL STILL BE VIGOROUSLY PROSECUTED UNDER THE 'ANTI-GRAVITY KNIFE LAW' - subway riders, take note.

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That law is a violation as well. And the city law also covers knives in public view.

DeBlasio under what law ? also kniferights.org .. what law ?? .. subway policy ??