Pennsylvania: Switchblade ban is in line with Second Amendment
Pennsylvania is one of 15 states that ban various forms of automatic knives, and a Superior Court panel held last week the law isn’t changing anytime soon. (Photo: Benchmade)
A Pennsylvania Superior Court last week upheld the state’s prohibition on switchblades, noting they are prohibited offensive weapons not covered by the U.S. Constitution.
The ruling comes in the form of a non-precedential decision from a unanimous three-judge panel of the Pennsylvania Superior Court in the case of William Battle, arrested in 2014 for carrying a switchblade. The court held the Commonwealth’s law on defining offensive weapons includes knives in which “the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism,” and affirmed Battle’s conviction.
Battle, arrested after the four-inch knife was found at a security checkpoint to a county courthouse, argued it was his constitutional right as outlined by the 2008 Heller decision to possess a switchblade for the purpose of lawful self-defense. The court did not agree.
Superior Court Judge Lillian Harris Ransom, writing for the panel, held that lawmakers found the only reason to carry weapons classified as offensive under state law was for a criminal purpose, and that Battle could have chosen a more common item.
“Appellant was free to possess an instrument with a common lawful purpose and use that instrument for the lawful purpose of self-defense,” wrote Ransom. “Instead, Appellant possessed a switchblade. While it is conceivable that Appellant possessed a switchblade for self-defense, that is not the switchblade’s common purpose.”
Second Amendment scholars have long maintained that bans on the carry of knives in general, and various automatic knives in particular, are unconstitutional.
According to the American Knife and Tool Institute, 15 states have bans on the sale and use of automatic, or switchblade, knives. A repeal of Virginia’s ban was vetoed last month by Gov. Terry McAuliffe while in Colorado, lawmakers last week sent a bipartisan bill scrapping that state’s ban to Gov. Hickenlooper for review.
The post Pennsylvania: Switchblade ban is in line with Second Amendment appeared first on Guns.com.
Source: http://www.guns.com/2017/03/14/pennsylvania-switchblade-ban-is-in-line-with-second-amendment/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
