quote:

Originally posted by RxEnergy:
I have successfully ordered and received balis and autos from many online retailers. Mark, are you saying those are not reputable stores?

They are not ones who would appreciate your saying so, that much is the case. They are also stores who put right on their website that you have verified to them that youre in an approved class by placing an order for the knife.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BMfan,

You should check at AKW in their information section about state automatics laws...

"It is the responsibility of the buyer, not the seller, to ascertain, and obey, all applicable local, state, federal and international laws..."

quote:

Originally posted by redka:
You should check at AKW in their information section about state automatics laws...

"It is the responsibility of the buyer, not the seller, to ascertain, and obey, all applicable local, state, federal and international laws..."

I doubt that would hold up in court if a federal prosecutor really went after them - which could be why Benchmade requires that you fax documentation to them. Requiring someone to click a box isn't very much of a check...

I strongly suspect that Mark is right - you'd probably get nailed for knowingly purchasing something illegal. So you might not be liable for the switchblade violation but you might be liable for a more general illegal property violation. There is a very general federal law about false contracts or statements as well (I forget the exact reference)...

All an interesting academic exercise... (and a reminder why lawyers are so hated and yet so necessary)...

To tell you guys the truth .....until reading this thread .........
I didnt know BM made Autos , I thought all they made were knives

quote:

Originally posted by RxEnergy:
I have successfully ordered and received balis and autos from many online retailers (KW, CS, NGK, etc). Mark, are you saying those are not reputable stores?

The rub with Bali's is that US Customs sees them as a violation of The Switchblade Act. Most others (rightly so) don't. Now the court case in question (Spyderco) a federal judge sided with US Customs in there interpretation of the law. (This is why we fought so hard last year on the AO issue with US Customs).

US Customs is the only Federal Law Enforcement entity that cares to enforce the law in any form. So, you get "case law" going here. If they win a case, and the court rules a Bali is covered under The Switchblade Act, then subsequent court cases will look to that case.

Spyderco considers their Bali's "restricted items." This is because US Customs is still watching them for compliance. Most other US makers don't follow suit. And since Benchmade is not importing Bali's, and or parts for Bali's... US Customs has no interest in them.

As for "reputable dealers."

I am sure they are reputable, however it is more a case that no one is enforcing the law, so they don't concern themselves much with it.

I am hoping there will be a day the law is repealed. A year ago I thought that would never happen, however it seems today, there is greater hope than ever before.