NY City Pays $7,500 to Falsely Arrested UK Pen Knife Owner!

[critter]

The City of New York has agreed to pay $7,500 to a falsely arrested knife owner in a Knife Rights supported case. The embarrassing settlement shows that the city would rather pay than try to justify its illegal conduct after police declared his Spyderco UK Pen Knife an illegal "gravity knife" even though the blade did not lock open, a key element in the state's Gravity Knife definition. The knife owner (a sculptor who uses a knife for his work) was arrested, handcuffed, booked, and placed in a holding cell like a common criminal.

"New York City's outrageous persecution of those with common pocket knives must end. This is just one of thousands of similar outrageous excesses by the City and D.A. Vance. Knife Rights will continue to fight these unconstitutional abuses by the City until we win" said Doug Ritter, Chairman of Knife Rights.

For more details on this case and important information for anyone carrying a knife in New York City, go to: http://www.kniferights.org/index.php...sk=view&id=284

Knife Rights' fight to stop the persecution of knife owners in New York City and to prevent this from spreading to other cities will continue.Click here to read the latest news on Knife Rights' Federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr.

Please support this lawsuit with a tax-deductible charitable contribution to the Knife Rights Foundation

WARNING: New York City has interpreted the state law against gravity knives such that if an officer can "wrist flick" the knife blade open, or alleges that the knife might be able to be opened in such a manner, and the knife blade locks open, that knife is an illegal gravity knife. NYC takes this position even if it requires multiple tries and use of exaggerated arm thrust or motion. Using this interpretation, most any lockblade knife might be deemed an illegal gravity knife.

Note also that New York City administrative code has an under-4-inch length limit and requires knives be carried concealed. Knife Rights recommends that you never carry your knife clipped to your pocket in New York City. Even when covered by a jacket, simply moving the jacket aside to get to a wallet has been enough to get folks arrested. Always ensure your knife is completely concealed at all times, including not "printing" on the outside of your clothing. In addition, be extremely circumspect about using a knife for any purpose in a public setting.

[Donut]

Congrats!

[sal]

Good Job!

sal

[Pinetreebbs]

Great news!

[SpyderNut]

Very good news indeed. What's more, this helps to set a good precedent for future cases.

[The Mastiff]

It's a shame the money doesn't come out of the cop and prosecutors pockets for their abuse of the law and false arrest, kidnapping, etc. charges should be filed on top of the civil settlement.

[RadioactiveSpyder]

Bully for him! I must say I'm very glad to be moving away from NY soon back to a state where Sal and company (and Jim Howe and STP...) can send their products to. Thanks again for Spyderco recently making their final stock of WTC knives available for folks in NY to purchase! There's more than just the knife laws that are a little bit screwy around here.

[FarmerTed]

The City of New York...The knife owner (a sculptor who uses a knife for his work)

Meh, just guessing but he likely voted for the people that made those laws. You reap what you sow.

If you're actually worried about your individual rights, you wouldn't be living in NYC.

[LC Kid]

Hi Folks!


Every single victory over any insane manners of interpreting the law should be welcome.

But I strongly believe this $7,500 should've been more like $75,000 at least. :rolleyes:

And it should come straight from the pocket of the police officers and prosecutors who made this stupid arrest. :cool:

[bh49]

Good news.
Sadly it is only only $7,500. I wish it would be $7,500,000.00. May be somebody would start to think in NYC.