If you use or carry a pocketknife, and want to retain your right to do so, It's time to write a couple of letters. From an email a student sent me today:
...US Customs is trying to broaden the definition of "switchblade" to include some pretty common pocketknives, making them illegal. You can see this site for more details: http://www.kniferights.org/...Customs has only allowed a 30 day Request For Comments instead of the normal 90 or 120 day RFC. Deadline is June 21. The site has good instructions for how/who to write. Also, they're not accepting online comments, so you have to write them snail mail! LOOKS like they're trying to sneak it through quickly, and make it hard for people to block. I'll be writing them and my congressmen!
You will notice, in reading the document referenced at this website, They "intend" to change this interpretation, rather than "proposing" to change it.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intends to revoke four ruling letters relating to the admissibility, pursuant to the Switchblade Knife Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1241–1245 (and the CBP Regulations promulgated pursuant thereto set forth in 19 CFR §§ 12.95–12.103) of certain knives.
I find it very underhanded and distressing that Homeland Security and U.S. Customs intend to change the interpretation of this law, rather than proposing that legislators or voters do it (or not).
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I will be writing a letter. And I suspect (hope) that many of you will too.
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Patrick Parker, is a Christian, husband, father, judo and aikido teacher, Program Director for a Cardiac Rehab, and a Ph.D. Contact: mokurendojo@gmail.com or phone 601.248.7282
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