Selling OTF tactical knife question

[sunnyd]

I have a very nice Ravencrest OTF tactical knife that I am planning to sell, possibly on this forum. Does at anyone know if there are any issues with selling or shipping such a knife? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that you can't ship an OTF knife via USPS.

[waxman]

I was told that it against federal law to ship them interstate. I had to buy mine local.

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

AFAIK, they are altogether illegal to transfer in interstate commerce, with LEO and perhaps military exceptions.

[mrchuck]

Here in Texas, all gun shows have them for sale.
There IS NO restrictions here for having one.
I still have mine that was issued to me in 1962 as part of my eqpt as a 1st LT going overseas with the MACV-SOG.

[Pisgah]

All I know is, recently I contacted Benchmade about putting a non-serrated blade on one of their automatic models that I own. They said, sure, they could do it, but as an individual I could not, by Federal law, either ship it to them or receive it back directly from them. Rather, I needed to take it to my nearest authorized dealer, have them ship it, and then pick it up at the dealer's when it came back. It had nothing to do with state law -- here they are legal to own and use -- but Federal law regarding interstate shipment.

[jlrhiner]

I bought one (Gerber Covert Auto) and they had no problem shipping it to me.

If someone knows the CFR that covers that, post it up!

[thomasinaz]

I've got a Benchmade OTF that's been back for service twice. They required I include a copy of my LE credentials for their return shipping.

[Bullzaye]

A very good friend of mine just recently had his Microtech Ultratech break the spring, so it would not open or close with any authority, but rather behaved as a gravity knife. He is not, nor has he ever been, a LEO or military. He contacted Microtech, they told him the very specific method it had to be shipped to them (I forget the details, but there was no mention of LEO or military), and he followed their instructions. He got his knife back in about 2 weeks, I believe, with the new spring, and it had been completely resharpened (he uses it a lot, said it was very dull). Total cost to him: $22, for shipping. I believe he said that they had him ship it via FedEx.

Tim

[Muss Muggins]

Originally Posted by Illyia Kuryakin

SERIOUSLY?

Pisgah is correct. Switchblades can only be shipped dealer to dealer in interstate commerce. One of the few federal regulations that applies to switchblades, but I am aware of a man here in the bootheel who did a little federal time for improperly shipping switchblades and switchblade parts . . .

[Pisgah]

Originally Posted by Illyia Kuryakin

SERIOUSLY?

Call them yourself; I am sure you'll get the same story.

In my case, the dealer was quite familiar with the process, happy to handle it, and charged me nothing -- although the freebie may have been a result of my long term patronage of the business

[Bullzaye]

I

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

Pisgah is correct. Switchblades can only be shipped dealer to dealer in interstate commerce. One of the few federal regulations that applies to switchblades, but I am aware of a man here in the bootheel who did a little federal time for improperly shipping switchblades and switchblade parts . . .

This can't be entirely true...see my post, #8, above.

For one thing...I've never heard of a "dealer license" for auto knives. An FFL is certainly not required for places that sell auto knives. I can name *plenty* of places that sell automatic knives, that have no FFL. Similarly...are you saying that ALL of the web sites (Blade HQ, Blade OPs, Amazon, etc.) that sell auto knives are breaking Federal law every time they ship an auto knife to a buyer? I highly doubt it. So, what would legally constitute a "dealer", in accordance with this Federal law?

Perhaps it is true that it's against Federal law to ship an automatic knife from one person to another across state lines, as the OP is asking about. But, it must be legal for a manufacturer/retailer to ship to an individual, as during retail sales, or for service or repair. But of course, that does not help nor apply to the OP.

Tim

[Muss Muggins]

Originally Posted by Bullzaye

I

This can't be entirely true...see my post, #8, above.

For one thing...I've never heard of a "dealer license" for auto knives. An FFL is certainly not required for places that sell auto knives. I can name *plenty* of places that sell automatic knives, that have no FFL. Similarly...are you saying that ALL of the web sites (Blade HQ, Blade OPs, Amazon, etc.) that sell auto knives are breaking Federal law every time they ship an auto knife to a buyer? I highly doubt it. So, what would legally constitute a "dealer", in accordance with this Federal law?

Perhaps it is true that it's against Federal law to ship an automatic knife from one person to another across state lines, as the OP is asking about. But, it must be legal for a manufacturer/retailer to ship to an individual, as during retail sales, or for service or repair. But of course, that does not help nor apply to the OP.

Tim

Federal Switchblade Act

Knock your socks off . . .

[jlrhiner]

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

Federal Switchblade Act

Knock your socks off . . .

Verrrry interesting!

[Bullzaye]

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

Federal Switchblade Act

Knock your socks off . . .

Thanks...this proves my point:

Section 1244. Exceptions

Sections 1242 and 1243 of this title shall not apply to –

(1) any common carrier or contract carrier, with respect to any switchblade knife shipped, transported, or delivered for shipment in interstate commerce in the ordinary course of business

So, as I'd described...perfectly legal for Microtech, Benchmade, Gerber, Blade HQ, Blade OPs, etc...to ship auto knives directly to customers, "in the ordinary course of business".

However, it does appear that it would be illegal for an individual to ship an auto knife to another individual. I certainly feel much safer knowing that the Feds are working hard to keep us safe from dangerous criminals buying $150+ auto knives through the mail and/or internet. Don't people understand that...for "criminal" or "defensive" uses, the ability to rapidly present and deploy a knife is only imperative to the defensive user? The criminal knife-wielder will be adequately served by a fixed blade knife...since he knows when his attack will occur.

Tim