In the last 10 years , 60,000 mass in New York have land in slammer due to a ‘ 50s - epoch law ban “ gravity knife , ” the vague definition of which allows police and lawcourt to prosecute people for carrying virtually anything sharp . 86 pct of those jug were black or Latin American . And now you may aid annul it .
New York Penal Law 265.01defines a gravity knife as any that open with , “ the force out of gravity or the app of motor force , ” and also those which include any form of lockup mechanism , including , “ [ a ] button , spring , lever tumbler , or other equipment . ”
As we ’ve key several times , a interlock tongue is a safe knife as it can not fold back onto the user ’s hand . These blades are used by proletarian , those who simply require to be prepared for the tress and turns of daily lifespan or even reader of theNew York Times panache section , which proclaims them as stylish .

to boot , the legal definition of centrifugal force has proved vague and that vaguery leave to a miss - program of the constabulary by police .
“ With enough force , and enough practice , virtually any pocket knife can be flick open like a ‘ gravity knife , ’ whether it was plan to operate that way or not , ” Jon Campbell famously wrote in the Village Voice last twelvemonth . His piece , “ How A ‘ 50s - Era New York Knife Law Has land Thousands In Jail , ” really blew the palpebra off how the unfair and inconsistent app of this law is being unjustly used to overwhelmingly target minorities .
Now , a Federal Reserve note that would ask proof of “ unlawful aim ” so as to pursue people for carrying sharp tools has been passed by the state assembly and is being reviewed by the senate . So , it ’s your chance to help determine the outcome .

KnifeRights.orgreleased this call to natural action :
With Knife Rights lobbyist Todd Rathner on the footing in Albany , we are still judge to figure out exactly where A.4821 / S.3675 stands ( the bill to “ Fix ” NY ’s Gravity Knife Law & Stop Thousands of NYC Arrests ) . We were assured the measure had been “ released ” by Senator Nozzolio from the Codes Committee , but now we are hear that it ’s still in the committee . We are currently prove to find out the truth , but that is almost irrelevant give just hours remain in the session . WE require YOU TO CALL RIGHT NOW !
If you live , work or jaunt to New York please CALL Senator Nozzolio ’s office and politely quest that he “ please stop playing politics with A.4821 / S.3675 and send it to the Rules Committee so it can move to the floor for a suffrage . Pushing knife owners off for the second twelvemonth in a row is not acceptable ! ”

Senator Nozzolio : 518 - 455 - 2366
Or email:[email protected ]
The Senator can additionally be reached by Twitter:@SenatorNozzolio .

A chapeau tip to our Quaker atTheTruthAboutKnives , who are doing a dandy chore of tracking unrecorded developments .
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