New Knife Legislation in CO?

[JamesB]

As a dealer, I'd love to be able to sell these knives to someone other than sworn LEO and active duty military...

The current law contains no exception for a dealer. Possession of a switchblade knife, or a gravity knife, by anyone but "a peace officer or member of the armed forces of the United States or Colorado National Guard acting in the lawful discharge of his duties[,]" is illegal and is a crime under Colorado law. Your possession of these knives, for sale to persons allowed to possess them, is just as unlawful as anyone else's possession. A former CBI director, who decided she was also the Colorado Attorney General, spent her spare time writing to Benchmade, and other switchblade knife makers, telling them they could not legally sell to "dealers" in Colorado. As a result Benchmade cut at least some dealers off. That was some time ago and that CBI employee is now gone.

A visitor to a gun show in Colorado, as well as to many/most Front Range gun shops, would find the law is being ignored. But that doesn't change what it covers and what it does not cover.

[OneGuy67]

^^^^CBI has never had a female Director.

[brutal]

The current law contains no exception for a dealer. Possession of a switchblade knife, or a gravity knife, by anyone but "a peace officer or member of the armed forces of the United States or Colorado National Guard acting in the lawful discharge of his duties[,]" is illegal and is a crime under Colorado law. Your possession of these knives, for sale to persons allowed to possess them, is just as unlawful as anyone else's possession. A former CBI director, who decided she was also the Colorado Attorney General, spent her spare time writing to Benchmade, and other switchblade knife makers, telling them they could not legally sell to "dealers" in Colorado. As a result Benchmade cut at least some dealers off. That was some time ago and that CBI employee is now gone.

A visitor to a gun show in Colorado, as well as to many/most Front Range gun shops, would find the law is being ignored. But that doesn't change what it covers and what it does not cover.

Source?

I believe this has been discussed ad nauseum before and that mere ownership is not illegal, but possessing the knife IN PUBLIC is, unless you're one of the chosen.

[BigBear]

I have always wanted to try a OTF switchblade... but they are just too pricey for me (I used knives hard as utilitarian tools) and are illegal to carry.

[3beansalad]

Source?

I believe this has been discussed ad nauseum before and that mere ownership is not illegal, but possessing the knife IN PUBLIC is, unless you're one of the chosen.

That's the way I understood it as well.

[JamesB]

That's the way I understood it as well.

The law says: CRS 18-12-102 18-12-102. Possessing a dangerous or illegal weapon - affirmative defense



(1) As used in this section, the term "dangerous weapon" means a firearm silencer, machine gun, short shotgun, short rifle, or ballistic knife.

(2) As used in this section, the term "illegal weapon" means a blackjack, gas gun, metallic knuckles, gravity knife, or switchblade knife.

(3) A person who knowingly possesses a dangerous weapon commits a class 5 felony. Each subsequent violation of this subsection (3) by the same person shall be a class 4 felony.

(4) A person who knowingly possesses an illegal weapon commits a class 1 misdemeanor.

(5) It shall be an affirmative defense to the charge of possessing a dangerous weapon, or to the charge of possessing an illegal weapon, that the person so accused was a peace officer or member of the armed forces of the United States or Colorado National Guard acting in the lawful discharge of his duties, or that said person has a valid permit and license for possession of such weapon.

The law says nothing about being in public. The law says nothing about carrying the knife.

[JamesB]

^^^^CBI has never had a female Director.

I looked, and she referred to herself as "agent-in-charge" not director. My mistake.

[OneGuy67]

I looked, and she referred to herself as "agent-in-charge" not director. My mistake.

Agents in Charge are like Sergeants on a patrol shift. They supervise a group of Agents, but are low on the totem pole. Can you name this Agent In Charge or post where you are seeing her involvement?

[brutal]

The law says: CRS 18-12-102 18-12-102. Possessing a dangerous or illegal weapon - affirmative defense



(1) As used in this section, the term "dangerous weapon" means a firearm silencer, machine gun, short shotgun, short rifle, or ballistic knife.

(2) As used in this section, the term "illegal weapon" means a blackjack, gas gun, metallic knuckles, gravity knife, or switchblade knife.

(3) A person who knowingly possesses a dangerous weapon commits a class 5 felony. Each subsequent violation of this subsection (3) by the same person shall be a class 4 felony.

(4) A person who knowingly possesses an illegal weapon commits a class 1 misdemeanor.

(5) It shall be an affirmative defense to the charge of possessing a dangerous weapon, or to the charge of possessing an illegal weapon, that the person so accused was a peace officer or member of the armed forces of the United States or Colorado National Guard acting in the lawful discharge of his duties, or that said person has a valid permit and license for possession of such weapon.

The law says nothing about being in public. The law says nothing about carrying the knife.

I "was" a member of the Armed Forces.

[DOC]

Would a CCW be a valid permit for such weapons?