news&update Official Publication of the American Knife and Tool Institute, Inc. Vol. 3 Issue 2 December 2001 AKTI Honors Americans on National Day of Prayer and Remembrance September 14, 2001 — The AKTI’s goals are: Advisory Members American Knife and Tool Institute, 1) To provide a unified voice David Barrack, American Edged speaking on behalf of this country’s representing the knife- Products Manufacturers Association, knife and tool manufacturers, distribu- making and knife-using Executive Director tors, retailers and individual respon- community. Doug Flagg, Kershaw Knives, sible knife users, expresses its heartfelt 2) To promote the general Sales & Marketing Manager sympathy for the victims of Tuesday’s public’s awareness of the James Furgal, Camillus Cutlery Co., horrific terrorist attacks in New York history and utility of knives President and Washington, D.C. as tools. Les Edelstein, Moteng, President We offer our condolences to the 3) To encourage sensible knife David Bishop, National Independent families and friends of those who were legislation and responsible Cutlery Association (NICA), President killed and injured. We offer our law enforcement. Jerry Rinder, Swiss Army Brands, Inc., prayers and support to those who still 4) To educate young people President do not know the status of their loved about proper knife safety Paul C. C. Lin, Progressive Team, Inc. ones. We salute those police officers, and the responsible use of (Taiwan), General Manager fire fighters and rescue workers who knives. Spencer Frazer, SOG Specialty Knives gave their lives to help others. We also & Tools, Inc., President salute their co-workers and the On behalf of the American Knife David Hall, United Cutlery Brands, thousands of volunteers who provide and Tool Institute … President care, comfort and continue to risk their Premier Members lives in the recovery efforts. Board of Regents R. Thomas Buffenbarger, Intl. Association of As U.S. law enforcement CJ Buck, Buck Knives, Inc., President Machinists & agencies formulate reasonable and Les de Asis, Benchmade Knife Co., Aerospace Workers, President rational policies to deal with the threat President Phil Martin, Blue Ridge Knives, of future terrorist attacks, the Ameri- Chad T. Vincent, Gerber Legendary President can Knife and Tool Institute will Blades, President Rod Bremer and Paul Gillespie, continue to be a resource on respon- Walter Gardiner, Imperial Schrade Columbia River Knife & Tool Co., sible law enforcement efforts. We have Corp., President Partners also volunteered our support to the Al Pendray, Knifemakers Guild, David Bloch, Outdoor Edge Cutlery Aviation subcommittees of both President Corp., President houses of Congress as they establish Bob Miller, Pro-Cut Distributors, Inc., Chuck Hoffman, Boker USA, President new policies in this area. AKTI will President Bob Shelton, Joy Enterprises, also move forward with our four stated A. G. Russell, A. G. Russell Knives, President goals as we work to build and maintain Inc., Chairman Richard Hillegas, Ka-Bar Knives, Inc., our American way of life. President Stewart Taylor, Taylor Cutlery, Boston Ordinance Permits President Jan Billeb, Executive Director Recreational Knife Use David Kowalski, Communications Coordinator When Boston City Councilor Dan fishermen or those who needed to use Conley proposed on October 1, 2001 their knives on the job. And he added to ban the carrying of knives with the stipulation such knives could not blades in excess of 2 1/2 inches, he be transported in vehicles unless going only provided exceptions for hunters, to or coming back from a fishing or (Released to AP, UPI, Reuters, ABC, NBC, TNN) videotaped, began right on time with Boston Ordinance * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * hunting trip, or going back and forth from Councilman Conley greeting everyone ”We spent a good deal of time work. with a handshake, smile and a thank you In a November 29 letter to Councilor explaining who and what AKTI is for attending. Conley then informed us Conley, AKTI pointed out that … “ The and that we are experienced in that the first presenter would be the proposed Boston ordinance 1145 is helping communities write sensible Boston Police followed by Stoddard’s, currently too broad to be effectively used legislation that deals with youth ISC/AKTI, Chesapeake, Swiss Army and against any specific group of identified violence — using our successful anyone else who wanted to speak. He then criminals. What it does is make de-facto effort in California in 2000 and informed us that he had received a letter criminals of virtually every responsible 2001 to save one-hand opening from Stoddard’s attorney and that he was favorably inclined to the suggestions Boston citizen. knives as an example.” “Whether that person is having a contained in the letter. snack while watching TV in their home, * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * “Lt. Kevin Foley, Commander of the buttering their bread at breakfast, pruning Youth Violence Strike Force, a 28-year their roses in the backyard, scraping a General Manager of Swiss Army Brands, veteran of the Police Department, sparkplug gap in the garage, camping, rock Inc. (an AKTI Advisory Member). represented the Boston Police. Lt. Foley climbing, hiking, biking, jogging, 6. Mr. Walter A. Gardiner, President of spoke about crime being down in Boston kayaking, canoeing, or attending a knife Imperial Schrade Corp. representing but murders and assaults with knives up. collector show to buy or sell, your both ISC and AKTI. In calendar year 2000 there were 4 ordinance would be making them criminals “The hearing, which was being homicides committed with knives and this subject to fine. If they are carrying a carving knife to grandma’s house to carve CITY OF BOSTON the Christmas ham, they would be criminals.” Be it ordained by the City Council of Boston, as follows: Furthermore, Boston-area retailers, That CBC, Ordinances, Chapter 16 be amended by inserting the following new language: notably Stoddard’s and Chesapeake Knife & Tool were also concerned about their 16-45 PROHIBITING THE CARRYING OF KNIVES OR customers transporting knives they had SIMILAR WEAPONS just purchased, as well as liability issues. Councilor Conley had already enlisted 16-45.1 Carrying of Weapons Prohibited. No person, except as provided by co-sponsorhip of 11 of the 13 Boston City law, shall carry on his person, or carry under his control in a vehicle, Council members. He would subsequently any knife having any type of blade in excess of two and one-half (2 1/ call a public hearing on the proposed 2") inches, (except when actually engaged in hunting or fishing or [delete … in going directly to and/or returning directly from such ordinance for November 29. activities, or any employment which requires the use of any type of AKTI Board of Regent member, knife), … end delete] any employment, trade or lawful recreational or Walter Gardiner, president of Imperial culinary activity which customarily involves the carrying or use of any Schrade Corp., was one of the AKTI type of knife, or (b) in going directly to and/or returning directly from members who traveled to Boston to speak such activities, or (c) if the knife is being transported directly to or from at the public hearing. Here is his report…. a place of purchase, sharpening, or repair, and if packaged in such a “The above-referenced meeting was manner as not to allow easy access to the knife while it is being held at 10:30 a.m. at Boston City Hall - transported), ice picks, dirks or similar weapons that are likely to Iannella Chamber. In attendance were the penetrate through police officer’s ballistic vests, or other object or tool so redesigned, fashioned, prepared or treated that the same may be used following people: to inflict bodily harm or injury to another. 1. Councilman Dan Conley, Chairman of 16-45.2 Distribution Exception. This section shall not apply to persons who, the Committee on Public Safety and through entities or establishments engaged in a recognized retail or author of proposed #1145- Ordinance wholesale business, are involved in the sale, purchase or repair of prohibiting the carrying of knives or knives for trade, sport, hobby or recreation, including without limitation similar weapons. persons engaged in the transportation to or form such entities or 2. Mr. David Marks, president and owner establishments. of Stoddard’s Inc., Boston’s fifth-oldest 16-45.3 Applicability. Nothing in this section shall be construed to enhance or business selling fine cutlery and fishing diminish any duties of persons described in section 16-45.2, and this section shall not be introduced or cited in any proceeding as evidence tackle. of negligence, recklessness, or similar state of mind of such persons. 3. Mr. Anthony S. Fiotto Esq., attorney 16-45.4 Penalty. Violators of any provision of this ordinance shall be subject to representing Stoddard’s. a fine of not more than three hundred ($300.00) dollars for each 4. Mr. Mel Herman, owner of Chesapeake offense. Knife & Tool Co., an 18-store chain with 16-45.5 Severability. The provisions of this section shall be severable and if one outlet located within the Boston City any section, part, or portion hereof shall be held invalid for any purpose limits and another in a Massachusetts by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of such court shall regional mall. not affect or impair any remaining section, part or portion thereof. 5. Mr. Jerry Rinder, Vice President, 16-45.6 Effective Date. This section shall take effect immediately upon its passage. [Ed. Note: Passed 12/12/01] year 13. Assaults with knives were up AKTI Hires Lobbyist to Address Florida Law over 32 percent, numbering 1000 in 2001. “Lt. Foley supported #1145 because AKTI has formed a Florida Committee and hired lobbyist Rick Watson of they needed an ordinance to take knives Tallahassee to address the issues raised by over-broad interpretations of existing Florida away from youth gangs.