Published: May 02, 2008 11:56 am            

Illegal spring loaded knives sold in Indiana

DANVILLE, Ind. — Police here say illegal knives are being sold in retail stores across Indiana and they’re looking to put a stop to it.

Danville Police Det. Bill Wright said the issue started when he confiscated a knife from a juvenile. He said the juvenile, who was hanging out with skateboarders in the parking lot of Huntington Bank, had the knife sticking out of a pocket.

Wright said he could see that the knife was spring loaded, which makes it illegal in Indiana.

According to state statute, “It is a class B misdemeanor for a person to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase any knife with a blade that opens automatically or may be propelled by hand pressure applied to a button, or with a device containing gas, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife.”

“They open just as fast as a switchblade,” Wright added. “And they are easy to conceal.”

He said the father of the juvenile contacted him to get the knife back. He explained that the father thought the knife was legal because it was purchased at Wal-Mart.

Instead of returning the knife, Wright said he took it to Hendricks County Prosecutor Patricia Baldwin.

Wright said the manufactures of such knives have changed the wording on their packaging from “automatic” to “assisted” so the knives can be sold in states — like Indiana — where they are illegal.

“They figured ‘we call it something else and it’s legal,” he added. “The company felt that they could change the terminology.”

Wright said Baldwin contacted Wal-Mart officials and explained the state statute. He added that they cooperated by voluntarily pulling the knives from their shelves.

Wright said he is sure there are other stores selling the knives, and they plan to notify them as well.





Amanda Roach writes for the Hendricks County Flyer in Avon, Ind.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.