AO knives legal in Nashville - Franklin area?

[Guest Oldsig]

I'm traveling back to the Nashville - Frankin area for family graduations in May. I know about the TN 4" max blade length law. My favorite EDC knives are now assisted openers. Are they legal there if under 4"?

Thanks,

Bob

Edited April 1, 2012 by Oldsig

[Oh Shoot]

AO knives have been proven to be legal under state wide weapons law, which follows federal published opinion on that matter (ie, assisted opening does not equal switchblade).

I can't speak for any antiquated local laws (unlike firearms, state knife statutes do not have preemption) but I think if any burg were popping folks for AO, it would be pretty well known.

- OS

Edited April 1, 2012 by OhShoot

[mav]

I have always wondered about the difference between the legality of AO and autos. My understanding is that most AO are legal because the opening mechanism (flipper) is actually part of the blade. Is this correct?

[Oh Shoot]

I have always wondered about the difference between the legality of AO and autos. My understanding is that most AO are legal because the opening mechanism (flipper) is actually part of the blade. Is this correct?

That's essentially it. Switchblades open with various spring releases on the handle, from static to fully engaged. AO, you have to start movement by moving blade itself.

Most AO models are so close to speed of even the best switchblades I've never really seen the why of full autos even in cases where they're legal for carry, since it would be a rare auto that's as overall strong as even inexpensive AOs, like the Chinese Kershaws, to name one line.

There's also the gravity thing, too. Have read in law part of Blade Forum about some jurisdictions (not TN) where they'll try their damnest to flick knives open even if they aren't really designed for that in first place. I guess best advice is to keep pivot tight enough to prevent that (which, since I don't like any horiz play, I do anyway). I know the venerable Buck 110 was tweaked way back in the late 60's for this very reason, it flicked open too easily once it was broken in.

- OS

Edited April 1, 2012 by OhShoot

[Oh Shoot]

crap, again, meant to edit, not quote

Edited April 1, 2012 by OhShoot

[Guest Oldsig]

Thanks Folks!! You told me what I was hoping to hear. It looks like I'll be bringing my AO's with me. Bob

[quietguy]

I have asked several LEOs this, and the overwhelming response is pretty much the same. If you touch the blade to open the knife (and the blade is under 4"), then it is legal. If you push a button, slide a lever, etc to open the blade, then it falls under the "switchblade" statute.

[MiddTennTaco]

So what exactly would be necessary to prove preponderance of evidence that a button automatic knife was possessed at home for collecting purposes? That sounds strange to me.

Obviously I would have to go out and buy an automatic knife and transport it to my home. How does that work? What if I want to sell it? If it can't leave home, whats the deal?

[Oh Shoot]

So what exactly would be necessary to prove preponderance of evidence that a button automatic knife was possessed at home for collecting purposes? That sounds strange to me.

Obviously I would have to go out and buy an automatic knife and transport it to my home. How does that work? What if I want to sell it? If it can't leave home, whats the deal?

Statute doesn't say anything about "collecting". The terms used are "curio, ornament or keepsake". A single item can be any or all of the three.

Statute does not say it can not be removed from the home in dealing with it in this fashion, which would include selling it as such to someone else either. Which is why you can buy switchblades at every gun show in TN.

Just don't stick it in your back pocket as you toddle around. In the event your home is searched, don't have it laying with your wallet and keys as something you'd carry every day -- those would be about the only "preponderances" of evidence that it wasn't a "curio, ornament, or keepsake."

Use common sense.

- OS

Edited April 11, 2012 by OhShoot

[Guest PSO3106]

Just to add to the subject, Autos are legal to carry by LEO, Fire, EMS, and Active Duty Military Personnel.

[Oh Shoot]

Just to add to the subject, Autos are legal to carry by LEO, Fire, EMS, and Active Duty Military Personnel.

To split hairs, I see nowhere in the statute that fire fighters are even mentioned. Unless all fire fighters are also certified EMTs, I don't see any way they fit in statute as legal to carry them.

To further split the already split hair, the only place EMTs are mentioned is in the selling of switchblades to them, they are not mentioned in the classifications allowed to carry them.

- OS

[willis68]

All the Knife laws we have in TN are BS anyway, why on Earth trust a man with a Loaded High Cap Magazine weapon on his person because he has the Handgun permit and not trust him to carry a knife with a Spring to open it? someone please explain this Logic to me

As far as collecting I have had no issues with this and even had a Local Judge admire my collection a time or two

[Oh Shoot]

All the Knife laws we have in TN are BS anyway, why on Earth trust a man with a Loaded High Cap Magazine weapon on his person because he has the Handgun permit and not trust him to carry a knife with a Spring to open it? someone please explain this Logic to me

C'mon, you know this: weapons laws have never been about logic. Ever.

As far as collecting I have had no issues with this and even had a Local Judge admire my collection a time or two

Doesn't even have to be a "collection". Just "curio, ornament, or keepsake", which of course most any single item of any type may be.

- OS