Proposed Law makes rigging knives illegal

[tsmwebb]

...
Even items that we've expended much time and money developing and producing domestically are now sourced overseas because the American consumer demands it.

Very sad, but very true!!!
Paul

No Paul, the US consumer doesn't demand that you make your stuff overseas. The US consumer buys the products that meet her needs at the lowest price. Changes in the markets, largely driven by business interests, have resulted in a system where manufacturing in the US is much less competitive than is has been historically. You might well blame Wallmart or Robert Rubin (though it is a process that started much earlier than either of them), but blaming the "consumer" is a stretch.

--Tom.

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

So, Tom, where do you think the blame belongs?
Paul
PS - I've been buying imported cars since 1970.

 

[Rick Webb]

Part of the Stimulus Plan?

Gun sales are up you have a hard time finding ammo it's sold as soon as it ships in. That is one part of the economy that is booming. Knife sales are soon to go up as well.

 

[tsmwebb]

So, Tom, where do you think the blame belongs?
Paul
PS - I've been buying imported cars since 1970.

Well, I'm having a tough time tying this into a sailboat owners thread. So, I feel I have to be very brief and I am reluctant to follow-up. Within those constraints there is no way I can answer the question fully. Very simply I think there are two big themes:

1) a radical move to free trade in goods and monetary instruments while maintaining very strict controls on the movement and trade in labor markets has resulted in a system where unnaturally low cost labor markets can be exploited by traders.

2) The modern currency system has resulted in a condition whereby the developed world, and the US in particular, have currencies that are increasingly overvalued with respect to true measures of production of those countries. The result is an increasing benefit for traders who use overvalued currencies to buy goods in places with undervalued currencies.

I think these are intrinsically "bad" paths to have taken (though most economists disagree). So, I'm happy to "blame" this largely on bi-partisan trade policies envisioned in the Reagan white house and consummated by the Clinton administration. And, reserve bank polices both here and abroad since the late '60's.

--Tom.

 

[Scott B]

Well, I'm having a tough time tying this into a sailboat owners thread. So, I feel I have to be very brief and I am reluctant to follow-up. Within those constraints there is no way I can answer the question fully. Very simply I think there are two big themes:

1) a radical move to free trade in goods and monetary instruments while maintaining very strict controls on the movement and trade in labor markets has resulted in a system where unnaturally low cost labor markets can be exploited by traders.

2) The modern currency system has resulted in a condition whereby the developed world, and the US in particular, have currencies that are increasingly overvalued with respect to true measures of production of those countries. The result is an increasing benefit for traders who use overvalued currencies to buy goods in places with undervalued currencies.

I think these are intrinsically "bad" paths to have taken (though most economists disagree). So, I'm happy to "blame" this largely on bi-partisan trade policies envisioned in the Reagan white house and consummated by the Clinton administration. And, reserve bank polices both here and abroad since the late '60's.

--Tom.

aaannnnd this is getting political ( you did say the Clinton and Reagan word ), but it's digressing away from sailing and to prevent it from being shipped to the Sails Call Lounge ....... fell free to start another discussion in the Lounge or War Room ....

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

Tom...
Before this thread gets canned, a very well thought-out post and one with which I can agree!!!
Have a nice weekend (we MAY have 50% rain-free)!!!

Paul

 

[Hermit Scott]

aaannnnd this is getting political ( you did say the Clinton and Reagan word ), but it's digressing away from sailing and to prevent it from being shipped to the Sails Call Lounge ....... fell free to start another discussion in the Lounge or War Room ....

I think they have helped us to understand what is really going on wiht this so called ban.
Very enlightening what Paul has to say. "american consumers forcing you" to take political routes to protect your pockets? It's all about the Golden Rule, he who was the gold makes the rules.

 

[Ross]

For the most part those in authority are able to tell the difference between proper and improper carrying of "tools". I don't have much need to carry an axe when I go food shopping and I rarely need my shotgun when I go to the beach. If I am dressed for a night on the town and have a rigging knife in my pocket and use it in a fight I can expect to be in deep trouble. This isn't about honest people and their tools of the trade.

 

[tsmwebb]

Have a nice weekend (we MAY have 50% rain-free)!!!

Paul

You too. I know about the rain thing, I grew up in Syracuse. Good luck.

Scott B (and the group): I'm sorry!

--Tom.

 

[jackhartjr]

Well said Ross.
The unfortunate thing is that as the different governments need money they will have their police look for ANYTHING to fine people for. I see it on the road...west of Atlanta the other week there were about 100 cops writing tickets for anything they could...including for 1MPH over. It was simply a 'Revenue Enhancement' fund raiser. I am having less and less respect for police lately seeing this BS go on!
Jack
Jack

 

[Hermit Scott]

I just got back from Walmart and all the one handed opening knives are gone!
Did this law pass already?

 

[Ross]

Jack , It is the bureaucrats that give the orders! Don't blame the troops on the ground. If you get stopped ,be polite, don't suggest that their time would be better used catching "real" criminals. They probably don't like being bastards any better than the rest of us.

 

[dvideohd]

You know who will get harrassed....

It is not us Old Coots with experience in the Legal System that will get harassed.... I think you can see how it will work out....

It's the young and those without means that will get "slapped" and "fined". I have seen it happen and some locals are worse than others...

Like the man said.. 1 mph over and they get a ticket.... our city - doing better than most..... is $8M below budget.... Police are out "revenue enhancing"...

On a more serious note - I have first hand observed some locals doing the "bust them and book them" approach to enforcement. This is not a political observation... But I have seen a young man - just returned from his Army Service - and in the Reserves - busted and booked because he was a martial arts practitioner and had some "paraphernalia". I have seen another young man booked and his life forever impacted essentially because he did not have parents, money to defend himself, or an experienced guardian when dealing with police stops.

This kind of thing will result in cases filed. come back in a year and see who is "convicted" and what resulted.

Aside from a simple 2nd amendment violation - you will likely find that the average boy scout or girl scout is being converted to a criminal. How many cases does it take to make the point?

--jr

 

[captas]

rigging knives

Benny
I can only assume you have never met a commercial fisherman, especially one who works with nets.
Some kind of one handed knife is an absolute necessity (and a lifesaver) if one is working around nets, or generally on any commercial fishing boat (I use a serrated edge switchblade).
As to my rigging knife when sailing; I've attached a lanyard about 6" long with which I can quickly pull the knife from a pocket and place the lanyard in my mouth to facilitate one handed opening.
Personally, I have not seen any spring loaded knife that is strong enough to use as a rigging knife, on a vessel of some size. A proper rigging knife does not have a pointed blade (there's a spike on the other side if you need a point) and must be so sharp that if you do cut yourself, you'll probably need a doctor, or it's a waste of time. Mine also glows green in the dark which has been fantastic when called @ 3am to a deck emergency. Spend a few bucks more; you get what you pay for.

 

[Ctskip]

Getting stopped for a seat belt violation in 97. I passed the ticket to my GF and asked her to witness my mark. I placed a x where a signature was required. The police man asked me to get out of the vehicle, I did so. He asked if I had anything on me that could harm or stick him. I said yes I have a knife on by belt. I also advised him that when pulling the knife out it will come out open. He took it and charged me with carrying a dangerous weapon. Off to jail where I bonded out. I went to court and was told the sheath was legal and the knife was legal, but together they became illegal. I could of fought it for $3000 so I plead guilt and paid a small fine. I was given my knife and sheath back. I even explained about being a sailor and needing the ability to open the knife using one hand. He didn't care. Guilty for carrying a dangerous weapon.

Keep it up,
Ctskip

 

[Stu Jackson]

Knife and Sheath

...I even explained about being a sailor and needing the ability to open the knife using one hand. He didn't care. Guilty for carrying a dangerous weapon.

Sorry to hear about your sad unfortunate story.

How can you be sailing in a car?

Had your knife/sheath been in the glove compartment, in your kit bag, or in the trunk, ya couldda saved a lotta grief.

Keepin' it up based on your suggestions,

Stu

 

[Ross]

Re: Knife and Sheath

CTSkip, It just don't pay to wise ass a cop. If your drivers license was signed then he knew you were yanking his chain.

 

[bill@tahoe]

I guess us one handed guys can open our knives with our teeth.

 

[Ross]

Sheath knives on your boat work perfectly well just leave them in the ditty bag with the marlinespike and your palm.

 

[Ross]

Moonsailor, You can say that safely in the USA but there are other countries where that statement would bring you visitors at 3 am. I still like it here and plan to stay. I have been driving for 55 years and have been asked to show my drivers license no more than 5 times. I have received one ticket for rolling through a stop sign in 1956.
I can do as I please so long as it doesn't pose a risk to others and never attract attention.