Categories
RKBA

Your Right to carry a Knife is in Danger!

FORWARDED MESSAGE:
==================================================================

I don’t usually do this, but letters need to be in the mail within the next week or so.
The following alert from the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is urgent and time sensitive.
It is a long letter so I’ll summarize:
US Customs and Border Protection has decided to reverse some past decisions and redefine what constitutes a “switchblade.”
Under their new definition just about any folding knife could be considered a switchblade – especially knives designed to be easily opened with one hand – like the one in your pocket.
Most state and local laws base their own definition of a switchblade on Customs’ definition so if Customs tightens up their definition it could easily result in tighter state and local laws as well and you could suddenly be committing a felony for crossing a state line with that same handy little knife you’ve been carrying for years.  Domestic manufacturers could also have their businesses seriously disrupted.
CBP was doing this kinda quietly and only allowed for a 30-day window for comments from the public – written on paper and sent to them through the US Mails.  The deadline for their receipt of comments is June 21 (which is a Sunday so the real deadline might be June 20.)
[By the way I am scheduled to guest-host Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk radio program on the 21st so be sure to tune in.]
We are encouraging people to submit comments to CBP telling them not to create all sorts of potential problems by trying to solve a problem that isn’t a problem at all.
We also ask that you start pinging on your Senators and Representative demanding that they rein in CBP and then fix the issue permanently by repealing the useless ban on switchblades. (Legislators just shouldn’t be allowed to watch West Side Story.)
KnifeRights.org is the lead organization in this and they have sample letters at their web site – linked below.
I think the hype in the following is a bit heavy, but this is important none the less and I hope everyone will take immediate action.
Jeff

The U.S. Government Is Trying To Take Away Your Pocket Knives!

SAF and CCRKBA Joins with Knife Rights

The Second Amendment Foundation and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms have joined with Knife Rights to help fight this unwarranted knife grab by Customs. Alan Gottlieb CCRKBA Chairman noted, “we stand with Knife Rights in their support of Americans’ right to own and carry the knives of their choice.”

And, just a reminder, the Second Amendment doesn’t say “Firearms,” it says “Arms,” and knives are clearly covered.

The U.S. Government is after your Pocket Knives! In a sneak attack, U.S. Customs has proposed revoking earlier rulings that assisted opening knives are not switchblades. The proposal would not only outlaw assisted opening knives, its overly broad new definition of a switchblade would also include all one-handed opening knives and most other pocket knives!

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) on May 21st proposed revoking earlier rulings that assisted opening knives are not switchblades. The proposed new rule would not only outlaw assisted opening knives, its new broad definition of a switchblade could also include one-handed opening knives and could be easily interpreted to cover most other pocket knives, even simple old-fashioned slip-joints.

At this point, one-hand opening and assisted opening knives are 80% of U.S. knife sales. For most knife companies, they represent all or the majority of their product lines. These are the knives Americans take with them to work and to play everyday.

Note, please, that CBP’s interpretation of the Federal Switchblade Act forms the basis for national, state and even local law and judicial rulings in many cases. This ruling by CBP is NOT limited to just imports. This WILL affect virtually everyone who carries a pocket knife, no matter the type!


CBP came up with this absurd proposal and then tried slipping it into their regular notices, apparently hoping nobody would become aware of until too late. They provided for only the minimum 30-day comment period, and there’s no email comments allowed. Just yesterday CBP rejected numerous requests for an extension to the unduly short comment period. Obviously, they’d just as soon not hear from us. We’re intending to disappoint them in that.

CBP’s proposal would have effects far beyond that suggested in the title of the proposal, “Proposed Revocation Of Ruling Letters And Revocation Of Treatment Relating To The Admissibilty [sic] Of Certain Knives With Spring-Assisted Opening Mechanisms,” which would be bad enough even if it only did that. However, this proposal would likely make it illegal for the estimated 40 million law-abiding Americans who own and carry pocket knives to do so. It would also cost this country dearly in destroyed businesses, lost jobs and ruined families.

Thousands of jobs and billions of dollars would be lost. CBP clearly appears to not have considered the consequences of this unnecessary, inappropriate and even illegitimate action. Since CBP is not required to consider the effects of their actions, only Congress or the courts can rein them in. If left to the courts, the industry and our rights will be devastated and America will lose much, regardless of who wins the legal fight.

The definition of what is a switchblade has been clear and settled for the most part since the Federal Switchblade Act was passed in 1958 and has been reaffirmed by many years of legal decisions. The Act is very clear that a switchblade must have an activating button on the handle. Without a button, it is not a switchblade and this has been upheld by numerous cases on many levels over the years. CBP’s convoluted reasoning in their proposal to reach back beyond the law and to expand their regulatory purview by rationalizing “intent” as justification for this new interpretation is a stretch, at best, and illegitimate at worst. It simply doesn’t meet the common sense test.

CBP’s reaching beyond the clear language of the Act in making this proposal is particularly questionable and irreconcilable because it flies in the face of virtually unanimous recent state court rulings (including several cases in California, Texas, Illinois and Michigan) where the issue of assisted-opening knives has already been decided in favor of the existing clear interpretation, that they are not a switchblade. They cherry-picked a few bizarre and untypical rulings from New York state from some years ago to provide support for their proposal, ignoring the many more recent rulings.

Beyond that, their significantly expanded interpretation of gravity and inertia knives, also included in the Act, would clearly make one-hand opening pocket knives illegal and according to industry sources, 80% of pocket knives sold today are one-hand or assisted openers. Beyond even that clearly excessively broad seizure of authority, we know from past unfortunate experience in many cases over the years that this sort of misinterpretation leads to potential abuse by law enforcement where even the most simple and innocuous Boy Scout folding pocket knife can be opened one-handed by use of dangerous and unsafe tricks, so that these too would be covered under this expanded federal definition. This ruling would therefore make almost all pocket knives subject to being considered switchblades.

The impact of this CBP ruling would go far beyond just imported knives because this “agency determination” will be used by domestic courts and law enforcement to determine what is a “switchblade” under both federal and state laws. Many states do not themselves define switchblades and simply rely on the federal definition and interpretation, which is only found in rulings by CBP. Since interstate commerce in switchblades is prohibited, except under very limited conditions, simply driving across a state line with a pocket knife in their possession would make someone a federal felon.

Knifemaking in the U.S. has enjoyed a renaissance in the past decade or two as the genius and innovation of American knifemakers, designers and manufacturers has created a booming and vital American industry with thousands of exciting new knife designs that improve the function, utility and safety of the lowly pocket knife, one of man’s oldest and most useful tools. Millions of Americans have responded to this innovation, creating a vibrant industry. For the most part these are family owned businesses that are American success stories, the core of America’s economic strength. This proposal by CBP would destroy all that for no good reason. That’s a heck of a stimulus package.

The knife industry tells us they employ nearly 24,000 Americans and have a nearly 6 billion dollar annual impact on our nation’s economy. Those are very conservative numbers. If this proposed ruling is allowed to stand, thousands of jobs will be lost at the direct cost of billions of dollars. That doesn’t even begin to cover the enormous cost to the country of those that would become unemployed, the ruined businesses, foreclosed homes, years of litigation by both industry against CBP and who knows how many criminal trials and appeals as law-abiding Americans fight this abusive attempt to take away their knives, as well as many other devastating unforeseen effects of this ill-considered proposal. Thousands of American citizens lives would be ruined. Millions of Americans would be impacted. The cost would be tragically huge, more so because it is neither necessary, nor desired by the vast majority of Americans.

Knife Rights www.KnifeRights.org is the organization that is heading the grassroots effort to stop Customs’ pocket knife grab. We are supporting their efforts to safeguard our rights. As they point out, the Second Amendment doesn’t say “Firearms,” it says “Arms.” Clearly the founding fathers expected that knives would be included.

Knife Rights has provided Model Letters to make it easy for you to make your feelings known. We are in for the fight of our lives to save our Pocket Knives. We can only win if you do your part. You have to write!

We need your help to make an impression on CBP. They figured that they could slip this by everyone with little notice. We need to let CBP know that they are not going to get away with it; that we noticed and we are not happy and that we will not stand by while they take away our pocket knives.

We need you to write CBP NOW! Their June 21, 2009, deadline is fast approaching and these letters must go via postal mail (or Fedex/UPS) and be RECEIVED (not postmarked) by that date. Click below for a Model Letter you can send to CBP. You MUST write TODAY!


http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=29
or
http://tinyurl.com/q7w8tm

However, the reality is that CBP isn’t required to listen to our demands, but they do have to answer to Congress. After you send a letter to CBP, giving them notice they are not going to sneak this by us, the next step is to inundate Congress with emails and letters.

If you want to be free to carry your pocket knives in the future, you need to write your Senators and Representative TODAY! Click below for a Model Letter you can send to Members of Congress. Only your efforts will stop this and save our Knife Rights!

http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=29
or
http://tinyurl.com/qqvmns

Help us stop this ill-conceived effort by Customs before it puts thousands of more Americans out of work and destroys one of Americas oldest industries, causing great harm to our nation and many American families. Help us stop these faceless, heartless bureaucrats from destroying our essential American freedoms. This nation has many more important issues that need our attention and energy in this time of crisis.

NOW IS THE TIME WE MUST DO BATTLE! WE HAVE NO TIME TO WASTE.!


GET ON YOUR COMPUTERS AND SEND THESE LETTERS and EMAILS.!

Write Customs & Border Patrol NOW!


http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=29
or
http://tinyurl.com/q7w8tm

Write your Senators and Representative TODAY!


http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=29
or
http://tinyurl.com/qqvmns

DO IT NOW! DO IT TODAY! DON’T WAIT!


< Please e-mail, distribute, and circulate to friends and family >

Copyright © 2009 Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, All Rights Reserved.
Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
James Madison Building
12500 N.E. Tenth Place
Bellevue, WA 98005 Voice: 425-454-4911
Toll Free: 800-426-4302
FAX: 425-451-3959
email: InformationRequest@ccrkba.org

_______________________________________________

================================================================================
This is a message from The Firearms Coalition Alerts list.  It is never
sent without a subscription and confirmation. 

If you have issues or questions about this or any message originating from the FirearmsCoalition.org domain, please forward it with all message headers to abuse[at]firearmscoalition.org.

================================================================================


Scott’s website
Scott Blog


Bookmark and Share

Bookmark and Share


Categories
RKBA

National Training Week July 4-11th


NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK

Celebrate the Fourth of July with
Fireworks, Firearms and Freedom
Good Americans Are Good Marksmen
include some range time in your Independence Day plans!

National Training Week is endorsed by:
Congressman John Shadegg
The Second Amendment Foundation
The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
KeepAndBearArms.com
The Firearms Coalition (Neal Knox’s group)
Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform
Skip Coryell, founder of the Second Amendment March
Gun Owners of America
The Appleseed Project

(This list is growing faster than our ability to update it;
groups that support gun rights and training recognize the value.)

Memo to Gun Clubs & Gun Ranges:


NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK 3 Easy Steps

Dear Range Owner,

The week of July 4th is being established as National Training Week, a time when all good Americans go to ranges nationwide and enjoy the shooting sports.

This is a promotional and business-building opportunity for you, and a chance for the nation to rise up as one and exercise the right to keep and bear arms.

The event is strictly voluntary, it costs you virtually nothing to participate, and you will attract new customers and a revenue stream by climbing on board.

1. Tell your employees to talk up National Training Week, July 4 to July 11, Saturday to Saturday, and post the fliers linked at the end of this letter.

2. Offer your standard handgun rentals for one hour at no charge that’s the big draw, people get to try out firearms they haven’t fired. It costs you almost nothing, and customers use range time and ammo at normal prices or offer discounts if you really want to increase your crowd.

3. Schedule classes, have instructors available on site, make sure you have supplies on hand (including some books!), and add any other promo and PR you like to increase your draw.

It s easy, it s coordinated nationwide, national news outlets are being approached for coverage… put up the signs, tell your clients, go for it!

Good Americans are good marksmen.
Safe gun handling is everybody s business.


______________________

NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK
July 4 to July 11, 2009
Saturday to Saturday

1-hour FREE Handgun Rentals!
Special classes for newcomers!
Instructors on site!
Easy lessons for first-time gun owners!

As part of the national campaign to improve marksmanship and gun safety across America, our range is offering FREE handgun rentals this is your chance to try out a new firearm, get in some range time, sharpen your skills, and exercise your right to keep and bear arms! Don t miss this great opportunity!

We ll be offering special classes for people who are new to firearms, safety instructions for parents, special attention for youngsters, even advanced classes for highly skilled shooters. Mark your calendar make sure you visit us during 4th of July week and add firearms to the fireworks of this great American holiday!

______________________

Come Celebrate
NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK
here at our range!

July 4 to July 11, 2009
Saturday to Saturday

1-hour FREE Handgun Rentals!
Special classes for newcomers!
Instructors on site!
Easy lessons for first-time gun owners!

As part of the national campaign to improve marksmanship and gun safety across America,
our range is offering FREE handgun rentals
this is your chance to try out a new firearm,
get in some range time, sharpen your skills,
and exercise your right to keep and bear arms!

We ll be offering special classes for people who are new to firearms, safety instructions for parents, special attention for youngsters, even advanced classes for highly skilled shooters.

Mark your calendar make sure you visit us during
4th of July week and add firearms to the fireworks
of this great American holiday!

Want to do something to defend your rights?
Invite a friend, especially a newcomer, to go to the range with you


< Please e-mail, distribute, and circulate to friends and family >

Copyright © 2009 Second Amendment Foundation, All Rights Reserved.

Second Amendment Foundation
James Madison Building
12500 N.E. Tenth Place
Bellevue, WA 98005 Voice: 425-454-7012
Toll Free: 800-426-4302
FAX: 425-451-3959
email: InformationRequest@saf.org



Scott’s website
Scott Blog


Bookmark and Share

Bookmark and Share


Categories
2nd Amendment Politics RKBA

[Fcalerts-list] Take Action Now!

========================================================
Please reply to feedback [at] FirearmsCoalition.org
using appropriate email format. 
========================================================

  1. All is Not Hopeless: There are actions you can be taking now to build up the levy and stem the flood.
  2. Oppose Confirmation of Eric Holder to Attorney General!
  3. Celebrate Bill of Rights Day – Support the Second Amendment Book Bomb!
  4. Help the Firearms Coalition by educating yourself and others.
  5. Latest “Knox Report” newsletter is in the Mail.
  6. All is Not Hopeless!
      The record gun and ammo sales statistics since the election and the chatter on the various internet forums I monitor tell me that people are worried and want to take some action, but there doesn’t appear to be much that they can do except prepare for the worst.  Even though the political landscape has shifted dramatically and the politicians are making stupid moves which are going to do more long-term harm to our economy and do threaten our future, the good news is that the worst is yet to come. If we can see ti coming, we can take action to prevent it.  There are things that you can be doing right now to ensure a brighter future.  Preparing for the worst is prudent, but it is not prudent to sit in the boat waiting for the flood when you could be busy reinforcing the levy to avoid the flood altogether.
      The Brady Bunch and their pals are doing their best to convince the politicians and the public that “the gun lobby is dead.” The most important thing we can do right now is let the politicians and the rest of the nation know that the news of our demise has been greatly exaggerated. Just because there was no candidate for President that Gun Voters could rally to doesn’t mean that Americans no longer care about our rights.  We need to let Washington know that in no uncertain terms. How do we do that?  Read on.
  7. Oppose Confirmation of Eric Holder to Attorney General!
      The best way to prove we’re not dead is to take on a fight in Congress and win – or at least make a good showing.  The fight that is currently available – and it is a fight worth fighting – is the nomination of Eric Holder to the position of Attorney General.  Holder is a radical opponent of the Second Amendment and should be rejected for the incredibly powerful office of the AG. 
      The Firearms Coalition is calling on all supporters of the Second Amendment to declare their opposition to, and actively oppose Holder’s confirmation.  Clubs and grassroots organizations are being invited to sign on to a letter of opposition to Holder as a first step.
      Learn more about Holder and efforts to block his confirmation at www.FirearmsCoalition.org.
  8. Celebrate Bill of Rights Day – Support the Second Amendment Book Bomb!
      Gun buyers have been sending a message with the record purchases of guns and ammunition since the election, now we have the opportunity to expand on that message by pushing Steve Halbrook’s new book, “The Founders™ Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms” to the top of the best sellers lists.  It is important that activists be well versed in the fundamentals of the Second Amendment and Steve’s new book is a great way to establish a firm foundation. 
      The concept of a “Book Bomb” is to spread the word among supporters who are likely to want to purchase the book to all make their purchases at about the same time.  This sales spike pushes the book to the tops of the charts where it is seen by a wider audience perpetuating more sales and maintaining the book high on the best seller lists.
      To learn more about this effort, go to http://www.secondamendmentbook.com and be sure to read about the related special offer from The Firearms Coalition below.
  9. Help the Firearms Coalition by Educating Yourself and Others.
      Since “Knowledge is Power,” The Firearms Coalition wants to help all of our friends become as knowledgeable and powerful as possible.  That’s why we are offering two great books and one great video DVD as premiums for donations to our efforts.  We are doing our part to support the “Book Bomb” program described above by purchasing a number of copies of Steve Halbrook’s book, “The Founders™ Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms” and offering them to our supporters.  We are also offering copies of David Hardy’s excellent documentary film, In Search of the Second Amendment and the comprehensive book, “The Heller Case; Gun Rights Affirmed” by Alan Korwin and Dave Kopel.
      Contributors of $50 or more may select any one of these great titles and for a contribution of $100 or more, we’ll send you all three.  And as an added bonus, if you are not a current subscriber to our bi-monthly newsletter, we’ll throw in a year’s subscription for free.
      Of course you can acquire these great resources for less money elsewhere, but by getting them from The Firearms Coalition you are also helping to support our efforts to protect your rights.
      To take advantage of this offer, send your contribution of $50 or more to:
    The Firearms Coalition
    Po Box 3313
    Manassas, VA  20108

Be sure to indicate your preference of either
“The Founders™ Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms” by Stephen Halbrook
“The Heller Case; Gun Rights Affirmed” by Alan Korwin and Dave Kopel
the video DVD, In Search of the Second Amendment by David Hardy
or all three for a donation of $100 or more!

You can also contribute via the “Donate” button at www.FirearmsCoalition.org or by calling our Virginia offices at 703-753-0424 during business hours and using a credit card.

  1. Latest “Knox Report” newsletter is in the Mail.
      We’ve just mailed our latest Knox Report newsletter.  If you are not yet a subscriber, we encourage you to do so to keep up with the latest information and analysis of gun rights news.

We’d also like to take this opportunity to wish you all Happy Holy Days!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Best wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year.

Yours for the Second Amendment,

Jeff Knox
Director, The Firearms Coalition
Neal Knox Associates


========================================================
This is a message from The Firearms Coalition Alerts list.  It is never
sent without a subscription and confirmation. 

If you have issues or questions about this or any message originating from the FirearmsCoalition.org domain, please forward it with all message headers to abuse[at]firearmscoalition.org.

To unsubscribe, follow the link below.  To change your address, unsubscribe
your existing address and resubscribe from the new one.

http://mailapp.modwest.com/mailman/listinfo/fcalerts-list

========================================================



Bookmark and Share

Bookmark and Share