The end of the auto & gravity ban in Colorado

[KnickKnackCity]

It's about time they removed this silly ban from the books! I look forward to buying automatics straight from the outlet store (featured along with the factory in the video)

http://www.9news.com/article/news/its-n ... -463260784

Hopefully someone more savvy than I can embed directly in the thread.

[KnickKnackCity]

Also, perhaps the best knife fight in recorded history.

*edit to add*

Please please please start distributing the Janisong through the SFO.

[SpyderNut]

Really happy to hear this. I too would like to see more awesome designs like the Janisong made available here in the US.

On a side note, does this mean that the SFO might eventually start selling autos like the Autonomy onsite?

[earthman]

I dream of our UK knife laws being changed one day,....all I wish for, to be able to carry a sub 3" folding LOCKING knife without the fear of prosecution due to not having the 'correct' good reason at the time of being stopped.

Not much to ask for is it? Fat chance of it happening though, laws in this country only get worse for us law abiding citizens.

[VashHash]

Spyderco adheres to federal law on switchblades. Not sure how this will work out.

[KnickKnackCity]

Spyderco adheres to federal law on switchblades. Not sure how this will work out.

Will you please elaborate on what you mean? The only federal law on these types of knives is one prohibiting interstate transport. I don't think they would consider engaging in this type of transaction due to local legislative change.

[The Deacon]

Spyderco adheres to federal law on switchblades. Not sure how this will work out.

Will you please elaborate on what you mean? The only federal law on these types of knives is one prohibiting interstate transport. I don't think they would consider engaging in this type of transaction due to local legislative change.

Well, for one thing, Federal law prohibits imports of balisongs, so the Janisong is unlikely to ever be seen in SFO. And while you, as a Colorado resident, may (at least in theory) now be able to legally purchase an Autonomy at SFO, sales to non-residents who are not active military or law enforcement would still be illegal. Mostly it means that there's probably still very little incentive for Spyderco to add more autos and balis to the lineup. Sincerely wish that was not the case, but am fairly certain it is.

[KnickKnackCity]

Good point Deacon. I had spaced the fact the Jani isn't manufactured in Golden. Those are made in Taiwan, yes? As far as the residency requirements for an auto purchase at the SFO.. I view it as the same situation as recreational marijuana, which a person's residency has no impact on the sale. If you live in Kansas but travel to Colorado for vacation or work, you can walk into any retail marijuana shop to buy whatever you'd like for possession and use within state lines. It's only once you try and bring it back to Kansas would you be breaking the law. As long as the dispensary is selling a legal amount to someone who's verified as over 21, the liability then falls to the user to obey statute from there.

[bouhunter]

I believe auto's become legal in Michigan sometime in October. Governor signed the bill.

[yablanowitz]

Good point Deacon. I had spaced the fact the Jani isn't manufactured in Golden. Those are made in Taiwan, yes? As far as the residency requirements for an auto purchase at the SFO.. I view it as the same situation as recreational marijuana, which a person's residency has no impact on the sale. If you live in Kansas but travel to Colorado for vacation or work, you can walk into any retail marijuana shop to buy whatever you'd like for possession and use within state lines. It's only once you try and bring it back to Kansas would you be breaking the law. As long as the dispensary is selling a legal amount to someone who's verified as over 21, the liability then falls to the user to obey statute from there.

The fact that you view it that way does not make it so in a court of law. Spyderco has run afoul of Federal law once and paid a huge price for it. I doubt they are eager to take a chance on a second offense.

[KnickKnackCity]

The fact that you view it that way does not make it so in a court of law. Spyderco has run afoul of Federal law once and paid a huge price for it. I doubt they are eager to take a chance on a second offense.

I am aware of the situation you are referring to. This was a violation of federal law. Not state. The whole point of this thread is I now have the option to buy and possess an automatic knife in my state. Spyderco would now not be breaking any state OR federal laws by selling the Autonomy to anyone of 18 years of age or older at the SFO. I expressed my view with marijuana because it was the most direct comparison of a good that is legal in one state but illegal in another. I suppose I could have made the same point with firearm magazines: In Colorado, Cabelas is not breaking state or federal law by selling me a magazine with a 15 round capacity. When I walk in to purchase, I do not need 2 pieces of mail with my Denver address to verify I am a Colorado resident, only my ID showing I am old enough to purchase and possess. If I bring that same magazine to D.C. where it is illegal to purchase or possess one over 10 rounds, I am the one breaking the law, not Cabelas. I view this as the same situation. If you have a specific law or laws that Spyderco would be breaking in the situation outlined, please share so I can educate myself and be a better knife owner.

[yablanowitz]

Have you ever heard of a case of a tavern owner facing charges because one of his patrons became intoxicated, left the bar and killed someone trying to drive home drunk? I have. I don't view that situation as the tavern owner's fault, but my view doesn't mean a rhing in a court of law. Just because it is now legal for Spyderco to sell autos in the SFO doesn't mean they have to. Just because it would be ridiculous to blame them for a customer breaking the law by transporting an auto they sold to someplace where it is illegal for them to have it doesn't mean it won't happen. Take a look at New York City.

[KnickKnackCity]

Have you ever heard of a case of a tavern owner facing charges because one of his patrons became intoxicated, left the bar and killed someone trying to drive home drunk? I have. I don't view that situation as the tavern owner's fault, but my view doesn't mean a rhing in a court of law. Just because it is now legal for Spyderco to sell autos in the SFO doesn't mean they have to. Just because it would be ridiculous to blame them for a customer breaking the law by transporting an auto they sold to someplace where it is illegal for them to have it doesn't mean it won't happen. Take a look at New York City.

IMO you're reaching pretty far for that comparison. What you're referencing is something called dram shop laws. In this apples-to-oranges scenario Spyderco would have to knowingly be selling to persons under the age of 18, or literally have someone say "I am buying this automatic knife solely to transport across state lines." and then still make the transaction, that knife is confiscated, and whatever authorities involved determines that Spyderco is in partnership with said offender to purposefully violate federal law.

No one ever stated that Spyderco would be forced to sell auto's now that the ban is lifted. Do I want this to happen? Of course. Would they be breaking any law as you have inferred? Absolutely not.

I think it would be a smart business move to distribute the Autonomy through SFO. Although as Deacon pointed out, autos and bali's it's probably a small percentage of their revenue, it's still additional profit and a wider customer reach for those who prefer buttons.

[bearfacedkiller]

Does the incentive to sell them at the SFO outweigh the risks? Only Spyderco can make that call. We are all responsible for our own risk assessment. They have been burned pretty bad once before and seem to err on the side of caution in these areas.