Ballistic Knife???

pocat · February 23, 2002, 02:08 PM

I remember, back in the 80's I believe, some hoopla surrounding the controversial "ballistic knife". I was in my early teens then when I first saw ads for them in Soldier of Forturne magazine. Some time later, I heard that Congress banned this weapon, but some sources said that only the springs were outlawed.

That's about all I know about this curious weapon. Does anyone here have any experience or knowledge of it? How effective was it? Are diagrams, kits or plans available for it? No - I'm not considering using it as a legitimate self-defense weapon - I have plenty of firepower for that. Just curious. Any info anyone might have would be appreciated. I checked out Google on this, but found mostly HTML files of rambling state and fed laws prohibiting it.

I know it's asking a lot to expect anyone to explain why Congress would ban this knife, but WHY? Were there many drive-by "balistic knifings" in the 80's that I was unaware of?

MACMAN10 · February 23, 2002, 06:36 PM

Didn't "Commando" have one?

TheeBadOne · February 23, 2002, 08:55 PM

I have one and they are not all that great. There were 2 runs of the knives and 1 was el-cheapo. Mine was the better quality run and at least the blade part is well made. I think of it as more of a conversation peice than a weapon. I keep the spring out of it stored seperately.

45Rookie · February 24, 2002, 11:42 AM

Why does Congress ban all the fun toys!

woodland · February 24, 2002, 12:39 PM

What is a ballistic knife?

loandr. · February 24, 2002, 05:27 PM

Its a knife really pissed off ... totally loosing its temper :-)
seriously its a knife that actually propels the blade from the handle (like an OTF) via spring loaded mechanics. actually shoots the blade from the handle supposed to be accurate up to 25 yrds. but only reports I have heard are negative. I think originated in russia for their special forces. hope this helps
loandr.

woodland · February 25, 2002, 01:35 AM

Thanks loandr. .

jimsbowies · February 25, 2002, 11:02 AM

Here is the definition under the US Code...

Just FYI

15 USC Sec. 1245 01/02/01

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE

CHAPTER 29 - MANUFACTURE, TRANSPORTATION, OR DISTRIBUTION OF

SWITCHBLADE KNIVES

-HEAD-

Sec. 1245. Ballistic knives

-STATUTE-

(a) Prohibition and penalties for possession, manufacture, sale, or

importation

Whoever in or affecting interstate commerce, within any Territory

or possession of the United States, within Indian country (as

defined in section 1151 of title 18), or within the special

maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as

defined in section 7 of title 18), knowingly possesses,

manufactures, sells, or imports a ballistic knife shall be fined as

provided in title 18, or imprisoned not more than ten years, or

both.

(b) Prohibition and penalties for possession or use during

commission of Federal crime of violence

Whoever possesses or uses a ballistic knife in the commission of

a Federal crime of violence shall be fined as provided in title 18,

or imprisoned not less than five years and not more than ten years,

or both.

(c) Exceptions

The exceptions provided in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of

section 1244 of this title with respect to switchblade knives shall

apply to ballistic knives under subsection (a) of this section.

(d) ''Ballistic knife'' defined

As used in this section, the term ''ballistic knife'' means a

knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a

spring-operated mechanism.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 85-623, Sec. 7, as added Pub. L. 99-570, title X, Sec.

10002, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207-167; amended Pub. L. 100-690,

title VI, Sec. 6472, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4379.)

-MISC1-

AMENDMENTS

1988 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-690, Sec. 6472(1), substituted

''in or affecting interstate commerce, within any Territory or

possession of the United States, within Indian country (as defined

in section 1151 of title 18), or within the special maritime and

territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in

section 7 of title 18), knowingly possesses, manufactures, sells,

or imports'' for ''knowingly possesses, manufactures, sells, or

imports''.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100-690, Sec. 6472(2), struck out ''or

State'' after ''Federal''.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Section 10004 of Pub. L. 99-570 provided that: ''The amendments

made by this title (enacting this section, amending section 1716 of

Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions

set out as a note under section 1241 of this title) shall take

effect 30 days after the date of enactment of this title (Oct. 27,

1986).''

Search USC, About Database, Download USC, Classification Tables, Codification

Kalindras · February 25, 2002, 12:50 PM

I hesitate to knowingly point people at VG's website, but as long as you keep to the Ballistic Knife Pages, you shouldn't wind up TOO scarred...

Check it out!!

Vampire Gerbil's Ballistic Knife Page!!

KSFreeman · February 25, 2002, 06:28 PM

Congress banned the Russian ballistic knife? Someone tell Wile E. Coyote. He'll be upset.

Good thing the flying knife is illegal. There's no way criminals will be able to fling blades through the air now!!!

As if we need another reason to hold Congress in contempt.

Quartus · February 26, 2002, 06:13 PM

It's small comfort, I know, but at least this time they didn't ban anything that is actually useful!

February 23, 2002, 02:08 PM	#1
pocat Member Join Date: September 30, 2000 Location: Covington KY Posts: 74	Ballistic Knife??? I remember, back in the 80's I believe, some hoopla surrounding the controversial "ballistic knife". I was in my early teens then when I first saw ads for them in Soldier of Forturne magazine. Some time later, I heard that Congress banned this weapon, but some sources said that only the springs were outlawed. That's about all I know about this curious weapon. Does anyone here have any experience or knowledge of it? How effective was it? Are diagrams, kits or plans available for it? No - I'm not considering using it as a legitimate self-defense weapon - I have plenty of firepower for that. Just curious. Any info anyone might have would be appreciated. I checked out Google on this, but found mostly HTML files of rambling state and fed laws prohibiting it. I know it's asking a lot to expect anyone to explain why Congress would ban this knife, but WHY? Were there many drive-by "balistic knifings" in the 80's that I was unaware of?

February 24, 2002, 05:27 PM	#6
loandr. Member Join Date: September 29, 2001 Location: Fl. Posts: 34	ballistic knife Its a knife really pissed off ... totally loosing its temper :-) seriously its a knife that actually propels the blade from the handle (like an OTF) via spring loaded mechanics. actually shoots the blade from the handle supposed to be accurate up to 25 yrds. but only reports I have heard are negative. I think originated in russia for their special forces. hope this helps loandr.

February 25, 2002, 11:02 AM	#8
jimsbowies Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2002 Location: Charlotte Posts: 332	hot from the US CODE Here is the definition under the US Code... Just FYI 15 USC Sec. 1245 01/02/01 -EXPCITE- TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE CHAPTER 29 - MANUFACTURE, TRANSPORTATION, OR DISTRIBUTION OF SWITCHBLADE KNIVES -HEAD- Sec. 1245. Ballistic knives -STATUTE- (a) Prohibition and penalties for possession, manufacture, sale, or importation Whoever in or affecting interstate commerce, within any Territory or possession of the United States, within Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18), or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in section 7 of title 18), knowingly possesses, manufactures, sells, or imports a ballistic knife shall be fined as provided in title 18, or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. (b) Prohibition and penalties for possession or use during commission of Federal crime of violence Whoever possesses or uses a ballistic knife in the commission of a Federal crime of violence shall be fined as provided in title 18, or imprisoned not less than five years and not more than ten years, or both. (c) Exceptions The exceptions provided in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 1244 of this title with respect to switchblade knives shall apply to ballistic knives under subsection (a) of this section. (d) ''Ballistic knife'' defined As used in this section, the term ''ballistic knife'' means a knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism. -SOURCE- (Pub. L. 85-623, Sec. 7, as added Pub. L. 99-570, title X, Sec. 10002, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207-167; amended Pub. L. 100-690, title VI, Sec. 6472, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4379.) -MISC1- AMENDMENTS 1988 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100-690, Sec. 6472(1), substituted ''in or affecting interstate commerce, within any Territory or possession of the United States, within Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18), or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in section 7 of title 18), knowingly possesses, manufactures, sells, or imports'' for ''knowingly possesses, manufactures, sells, or imports''. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100-690, Sec. 6472(2), struck out ''or State'' after ''Federal''. EFFECTIVE DATE Section 10004 of Pub. L. 99-570 provided that: ''The amendments made by this title (enacting this section, amending section 1716 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1241 of this title) shall take effect 30 days after the date of enactment of this title (Oct. 27, 1986).'' Search USC, About Database, Download USC, Classification Tables, Codification

February 25, 2002, 12:50 PM	#9
Kalindras Member Join Date: January 17, 2002 Location: Wichita Falls, TX Posts: 70	Link to some images of a Ballistic Knife I hesitate to knowingly point people at VG's website, but as long as you keep to the Ballistic Knife Pages, you shouldn't wind up TOO scarred... Check it out!! Vampire Gerbil's Ballistic Knife Page!!

February 23, 2002, 06:36 PM	#2
MACMAN10 Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2001 Location: Remington Country Posts: 114	Didn't "Commando" have one?

February 23, 2002, 08:55 PM	#3
TheeBadOne Junior member Join Date: January 12, 2002 Location: USA Posts: 1,191	I have one and they are not all that great. There were 2 runs of the knives and 1 was el-cheapo. Mine was the better quality run and at least the blade part is well made. I think of it as more of a conversation peice than a weapon. I keep the spring out of it stored seperately.

February 24, 2002, 11:42 AM	#4
45Rookie Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2002 Location: PRK Posts: 217	Why does Congress ban all the fun toys!

February 24, 2002, 12:39 PM	#5
woodland Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2001 Location: western wa. Posts: 564	What is a ballistic knife?

February 25, 2002, 01:35 AM	#7
woodland Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2001 Location: western wa. Posts: 564	Thanks loandr. .

February 25, 2002, 06:28 PM	#10
KSFreeman Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2001 Location: Lafayette, Indiana--American-occupied America Posts: 5,418	Congress banned the Russian ballistic knife? Someone tell Wile E. Coyote. He'll be upset. Good thing the flying knife is illegal. There's no way criminals will be able to fling blades through the air now!!! As if we need another reason to hold Congress in contempt.

February 26, 2002, 06:13 PM	#11
Quartus Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,823	It's small comfort, I know, but at least this time they didn't ban anything that is actually useful!