S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3422
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
February 6, 2019
___________
Introduced by Sen. SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to the definitions of a
switchblade knife and a gravity knife
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivisions 4 and 5 of section 265.00 of the penal law are
amended to read as follows:
4. "Switchblade knife" means any knife which has a blade which opens
automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other
device in the handle of the knife. "SWITCHBLADE KNIFE" DOES NOT INCLUDE
A KNIFE THAT HAS A SPRING, DETENT, OR OTHER MECHANISM DESIGNED TO CREATE
A BIAS TOWARD CLOSURE AND THAT REQUIRES EXERTION APPLIED TO THE BLADE BY
HAND, WRIST, OR ARM TO OVERCOME THE BIAS TOWARD CLOSURE AND OPEN THE
KNIFE.
5. "Gravity knife" means any knife which has a blade which is released
from the handle or sheath thereof by the force of gravity or the appli-
cation of centrifugal force which, when released, is locked in place by
means of a button, spring, lever or other device. "GRAVITY KNIFE" DOES
NOT INCLUDE A KNIFE THAT HAS A SPRING, DETENT, OR OTHER MECHANISM,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO RESISTANCE TO OPENING DESIGNED TO CREATE A
BIAS TOWARD CLOSURE AND THAT REQUIRES EXERTION APPLIED TO THE BLADE BY
HAND, WRIST, OR ARM TO OVERCOME THE BIAS TOWARD CLOSURE AND OPEN THE
KNIFE.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09706-01-9