AKTI Opposes U.S. Customs' attempt to classify assisted-opening knives and all one-hand opening knives as switchblades.

Customs' proposal will make criminals of 35.6 million Americans

The definition of a switchblade or automatic knife has been clear and explicit in federal law
since 1958. There have been several state court cases that have ruled they are not
switchblades because they do not possess an activating button on the handle.

In fact, AKTI' s bill on the Texas governor's desk now clarified their statute, reaffirming the
50-year old federal definition, and clearly distinguishing one-hand openers and
assisted-openers from knives classified as switchblades or automatics.

U.S. Custom's proposal would bypass Congress and expand the switchblade definition to
include all knives that open with one hand. These include multi-tools, traditional pocket knives,
one-hand openers, and assisted-openers.

Objections need to be submitted to U.S. Customs - and received by June 21, 2009:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Office of International Trade, Regulations and Rulings
Attention: Intellectual Property and Restricted Merchandise Branch
Mint Annex, 799 Ninth St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20229
Re: 19 CFR Part 177