I searched but didn't find an obvious answer to this. I was thinking about getting a mini-Barrage which I know is an assisted opening. I love the blade shape and the handle looks great. I know that autos are not legal in a few places, but where is line between assisted and auto? I have a SOG Flash II which is assisted and opens super fast with just a little push. Can anyone tell me where the line is there? Thanks!

General definition of an automatic is a knife that fully opens by activating a switch with no other action.

Right. I understand that part. I'm just trying to figure out if there is any issue legally with carrying an assisted opening knife if autos are not legal in your area. It seems like its a little bit of a grey zone, or maybe its not at all. I'm assuming that an assisted opening is ok. Just wanted to make sure.

If it doesn't have a thumb stud, disc, or hole for opening then I would think there could be a legal issue.

Welcome to the forum.

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

quote:

Originally posted by Snareman:

Just wanted to make sure.

With all due respect, if you are truly concerned with your legal liabilities occurred while carrying a particular knife you should consult with an attorney who is familiar with your Local, State, and Federal laws. I would not rely on advice from Internet lawyers to determine my future

I'm definitely not an expert but I believe the difference to be that with assisted-opening knives your making contact with the blade and putting it into "assisted" movement/motion. Like RX says automatic is defined legally as being able to open strictly by pushing a button or "switch" on the handle without any blade contact.

I'm sure others can speak on this better but that's the way I believe it's been explained to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Auto_luver:

quote:

Originally posted by Snareman:

Just wanted to make sure.

With all due respect, if you are truly concerned with your legal liabilities occurred while carrying a particular knife you should consult with an attorney who is familiar with your Local, State, and Federal laws. I would not rely on advice from Internet lawyers to determine my future

I'm certainly not looking for definitive legal advice here. When I go to court for the knife I'm carrying I promise not to say "but that guy on the knife forum said it was ok!" :-) But if someone on here were to say something like, oh yea, there is this difference between them and usually where a auto knife is illegal there are no issues with assisted knives because of XYZ then I'd feel pretty good. I really don't think there is an issue with the assisteds but a friend and I were discussing it so I wanted to find some more input.

I just found this Ohio law which seems to say that its really just illegal to "sell" them

II. SWITCHBLADE KNIVES.

§ 2923.20. Unlawful transaction in weapons.

(No person shall...
(3) Manufacture, possess for sale, sell, or furnish to any person other than a law enforcement agency for authorized use in police work, any brass knuckles, cestus, billy, blackjack, sandbag, switchblade knife, springblade knife, gravity knife, or similar weapon...

(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of unlawful transactions in weapons. A violation of division (A)(1) or (2) of this section is a felony of the fourth degree. A violation of division (A)(3) or (4) of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree. A violation of division (A)(5) of this section is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

All depends on local laws, so know them. In Cali A/O's are perfectly legal, and should be just about everywhere...but ask your local PD to make sure.

And you ever try to flick open an A/O like the 790 or 580? Nearly impossible to do, you have to overcome that 30 to 35 percent manual push before it will open and the spring then takes over.

What it truly comes down to is that an auto knife blade is engaged with a push of a button and no physical interaction with the blade to begin the opening process-"switchblade".
If the user has to provide the initial force to the blade to open the knife then it is not an automatic knife, regardless of it beings assisted. If you provide the energy needed to move the blade, and it's not done by the push of a button that releases the tension on a spring to open the knife then I think you are ok. You might look into blade length regulations and see if there are any issues there but as far as your first question I think you are fine. Man I wish FL and the rest of the country were as fortunate as you all in CA. I want a mini infidel so bad but can't carry it without getting a CWP.