Obama Wants Your Pocket Knife

Beware! That folding knife in your pocket may turn you into a criminal if the Obama administration gets its way. Although there has been a lot of fear and speculation that the new administration wants to take your guns, the most pressing threat now is actually to your pocket knives. With the changing of the guard at U.S. Customs, that agency has now embarked on redefining "switchblades" under federal law to include a wide variety of one hand opening knives that never were intended to be prohibited. In fact, many of the knives U.S. Customs now seek to prohibit under the Federal Switchblade Law had not even been invented at the time of its enactment! Furthermore, four previous U.S. Customs ruling letters (prior administrations) specifically determined "assisted opening" knives not to be defined as switchblades.

This new proposed U.S. Customs regulation is so broad that thousands of pocket knives will fall under its sweep and millions of knife owners will be affected. The problem is not simply that imports will be banned (which is bad enough), but that the "agency determination" will be used by domestic courts and law enforcement to determine what a "switchblade" is under both federal and state laws. Many states, including New Hampshire, fail to define switchblades and simply rely on the federal definition.

Apparently there are enough people in the electorate to drive progress towards a safer, more centrally controlled, cohesive society.  What is it with "conservatives" who talk a lot of shit about freedom, and traditional values and culture, but don't have the stones or the ability to find a new way.  Who bitch, but take advantage of every new government program, and acquiesce to every new infringement of our "rights".  Whose Iconic CEO's cry for bailouts.  Stand up, or shut up.  You can't have your cake and eat it too.