Im just a Bill Im just a Bill but someday Ill be a law A1241

lt632ret · Post by **lt632ret** » Sun May 13, 2007 7:18 pm

Once upon a time when TV was Black and white the title for this posting ( Im just a Bill ) was a ditty on a TV commercial which explained the process for getting a law passed or amended. I am afraid the actual process is a bit more convoluted than the cute little one minute TV explanation. This being said some of you may be aware of the battle ( is that word a bit to melodramatic perhapes it would seem so but not to me the beauracratic bull I have gone through in an effort to save a viable segment of american history has for me at least has been a battle ).

In NYS anyone having a valid state Hunting or fishing license as well as certain other special exceptions ie peace officer , military , ect may own , posess, or ( depending on circumstance ) carry an automatic or switchblade knife. This law has been misinterpreted and enforced upon individual whim by law enforcment agencys since its inception in the mid 1950tys.

The very fact that there is a law which allows ownership of these items by anyone with a valid hunting or fishing licence has often been disputed and then usually after an expensive court experience the charges dropped and sometimes, or sometimes not the item or items is returned to the owner with an apology often the item is mutilated with evidence numbers ect etched in the handle or blade.

There has been to this point no legal exception or way in which to publicly display these items or explain where they fit into the scheme of the cutlery history. These types of knives were especially important to the knife industry in the Hudson Valley. Walden NY at one time produced 50 to 80 percent of all the knives made or sold in this country. Automatics were there largest selling lines and patterns of Schrade and Walden Knife. Now all these companies are gone the Last being Schrade, the hudson valley had dozens of knife companies the fast flowing waters from the catskills peaks with names like the bierkill , Roundout, as well as the strange river which flows North from New Jersey ( Yes North ) called the Wallkill, to empty in the Hudson all served as source of energy for the cutlery industry yes the water was the blood but the bone and Muscle were the european immigrants who's fierce independence and demands for a right to a decent wage, work conditions, and religious freedoms drove them from there homes to a new land of hope these people were as tough as the steel they shaped proud people who made tools to last as long as the ideals of the new free land they had fled to. With every knife and every generation they forged there subborn ethics of work and freedom. Many carried the very steel forged by there fathers and brothers into many lands ( included our own civil conflict) to protect those very freedoms they coveted in there new homes. These were Americans who understood that sometimes just as steel is tempered with time, toil, and knowledge so to the mettle of men was cast in the furnace of adversity so that all might be allowed these freedoms we often take for granted.

It is this the story and legacy that I wish to save . To this end I have dedicated over 50 years of my life in trying to preserve these artifacts and history. It is rapidly disappearing the other day I was over at a friends place of business talking, he said let me show you something I just bought he said it's a Schrade. It was a fillet knife the box marked Schrade the end of the box declared made in China. ( thats communist China in case you were wondering a country that has vowed to destroy us and our way of life ) the side of the box had the american flag on it. He was very proud of the knife it had only cost 10 dollars . I did not explain what it had really cost.

All that being said I have been attempting for years to try to start a museum so that perhapes even though our industry is now gone perhapes our progeny might still be able to look with awe and respect upon at least some past generations. I have been approached in the past with the opportunity to commence such a project. Most of those who thought it was a good idea were the usualy pillers of the community self righteous, civic types who while endorsing there own agendas thought this would be a cutsie idea. They also had no idea of what this history was or meant. I was advised oh go ahead put your automatics in no one will say anything or do the displays and leave out this segment. My answer was usually something like how about I do a history of WWII and leave out a few things some people might find objectionable like Pearl Harbor, the Holacaust and the atom bomb. I would then usually add that as it is history is constantly being changed to what is in vogue. In fact the last i heard was that we really did not fight the mexican army in the Alamo oh yes and freedom of speech is fine but there are some words that can no longer be used.

No if I tell a story it will be the whole story and if my 26 years as a peace officer taught me anything it was that regarding the law nothing is implied it must be explicit. All this brings me back to the original reason for this posting. Even though we live in a world of dirty bombs , Anthrax and horrors beyond imagination. It seems a knife which ( sometimes has a blade of one inch long ) and may be over 100 years old is to dangerous to be allowed legally to be viewed by the public if it opens by a spring akin to a bobby pin. Well finally after years I have managed to have a bill introduced into the NYS legislature which would allow the legal display of these items so that they may take there rightful place in this segment of american history.

Last year this bill passed the Senate and died in the assembly. Even though everyone felt it was a positive law. I will not go into the reason at this point however it was political. This year on MAY 8th it passed the senate again. It does have some changes ( I mean they have made it as difficult as they could fingerprinting ect ) However it does make it possible and allows a procedure to do it. However after 5 years of battling ( can you imagine what it takes to get something big done if it is 5 years for this ) if it passes the assembly and the governor signs it. It would be the first change in the switchblade laws in 50 years. It is a step forward.

The Senate bill number is S423 the assembly number is A1241. If you wish to view these bills simply google over to New York State Legislature and plug these numbers into search. If you feel that is a bill which is of merit I am asking everyone ( no matter what state you live in ) to email your support. to

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther
18 Anawanna Lake Rd.
Monticello, NY 12701
845-794-5807
e-mail gunthea@assembly.state.ny.us

(EXAMPLE) PLease support Bill A1241 to allow the public display of automatic knives in NYS. Thankyou ( SIGN)

I thank you all for taking the time to read this and if I can answer any related questions my email is lt632ret@frontiernet.net . It would be more than difficult to explain all that it has taken to even get this far. LT PS Please pass this information on to any other sites or organizations you might feel could help in getting emails or letters to the assembly person. The bill is the rifle the emails are the bullets. PPS If any of you belong to bladeforums and those related forums please advise them since I am no longer a member there also any others you might think of.

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Sun May 13, 2007 7:40 pm

E-mail sent.

CCBill · Post by **CCBill** » Sun May 13, 2007 11:23 pm

Hi lt...
Email sent. Even got the old automated reply. What else can I do, all the way from Texas, to be a part of the solution, here, because I know if you're not a part of the solution, you're part of the problem?
Did you get your bandana? Wear it in good health!(LOL).
...CCBill...

lt632ret · Post by **lt632ret** » Sun May 13, 2007 11:36 pm

Thankyou Dale and Bill no Bandana. But, thanks LT

Rusty1 · Post by **Rusty1** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:45 am

E-mail sent, hope all the hard work pays off. all the best.

Rusty1

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:29 am

letter and email sent. hope it helps in your endeavor.

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:59 am

email sent. I also posted on a couple other forums I frequent

W5RWU · Post by **W5RWU** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:10 am

LT email sent
See Ya Randy

Gunsmoke47 · Post by **Gunsmoke47** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:55 pm

Sent it today. I hope this helps!

glennbad · Post by **glennbad** » Mon May 14, 2007 2:39 pm

A worthy cause indeed, Rich.

For what it's worth, like last year, I sent another email this morning.

Good luck...

Glenn

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:11 pm

She's gonna have a full email.

just a Bill

MITCH RAPP · Post by **MITCH RAPP** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:50 pm

Lt; 10-4

ea42 · Post by **ea42** » Fri May 18, 2007 12:59 am

E-mail and letter sent LT, being from NY maybe it'll have some pull

Eric

LRV · Post by **LRV** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 7:28 pm

Any updates since 5/8 ???

S00423 Actions:
BILL NO S00423

01/03/2007 REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
04/18/2007 1ST REPORT CAL.594
04/23/2007 2ND REPORT CAL.
04/24/2007 ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
05/08/2007 PASSED SENATE
05/08/2007 DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
05/08/2007 referred to higher education

lt632ret · Post by **lt632ret** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:16 pm

I contacted the legislatators office and spoke to the person who really handles the lobbying ect. I was told that the kinks had been ironed out and that they the ( commitee ) was satisfied. That it was going to the floor and it looked good. SO lots of luck I will believe it when something happens until then all that can be done is garner as much support ( ie emails ) as possible. Hopefully they have some effect and are not just lip service. However when dealing with politicians I have found it is best to put your faith in your knife, your knife in your hand, and the blade upon the jugular of the politician. That seems to be the only way to elicit the truth. We will see, however, I will not hold my breath it would seem that the rule of thumb is that if something is positive, honest, and would be the most logical intelligent obvious thing to do. It is shelved until at least two or possibly all three of these criteria factors have been changed. Of course my attitude does not help since I have always hated beauracratic bullshit and no longer have the patients to kiss butt to change the statis quo when something is just plain stupid or wrong. That is why I am not a politician. Now you know as little as I do and as much as anyone. I do thankyou for caring enough to ask. I will advise when I know more either way.

I have always maintained the attitude to hope for the best, prepare for the worst and come what may. LT

W5RWU · Post by **W5RWU** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:59 pm

We are with you Lt!!
Randy

LRV · Post by **LRV** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:28 pm

Lt,
You should run for Mayor of Walkill.. Hell I'd vote for ya at least once, just to watch the fun.

Thanks for the update. We are watching..
TTYL
Larry

lt632ret · Post by **lt632ret** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:38 pm

At 6:11 PM eastern standard time on this day June 18, 2007 . The NYS Assembly voted on bill S423 which was assembly bill A1241A. ie to amend NYS laws to allow and install a procedure for the legal display of automatic knives in NYS. The vote was 116 to 3 for it. I watched the session on live TV After hours of bills I had fallen asleep but luckily awoke just in time to see and hear the vote. I do not know if there was a discussion ( I do not care ). This is the first change in the idiotic NYS switchnlades laws in 50 years. It will allow people to see understand gather and communicate ie understand the history of this segment of americana ie the cutlery industry . As I understand it as long as it is not vetoed it will become the law of the land in 180 days on or around Jan 1. I do not know what will happen next however right now I do feel a certain elation sitting here surrounded by over 50 years of accumalation of artifacts waiting for this day( actually a day when it is now feasible that they and there history can be displayed and told). . It is not a big thing it is not world peace it is not the cure for cancer actually it really isn't much but it is a start. Perhapes in the future Schrades will not be remembered as another Chinese knife company. Perhapes the generations of cutlers and there familys who not only produced the steel blades that not only were used to preserve our country in times of war but also in many cases the very people who wielded them will be remembered for there contributions. I sit alone except for my two cats in my 10 room house filled with this history preserved and waiting. Just as I have sat here for years and every night in the past ( for this stupid passion of mine ) I have written another letter and kept up the the grating effort of not giving up. I have published numerous atricles and annoyed every beuracrat I could. I have bored badgered and caojoled every ear I could ( including all of you ). Each night I have said someday maybe. Tonite I say today. Now the work will start and it is still only an idea. But tomorrow looks a lot brighter. I thankyou all for your efforts and your well wishes. It is still a long way off but, Look out smokey the North shall rise again. LT

Classic Case · Post by **Classic Case** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:56 am

congratulations,

and good luck on the rest of the trip.

W5RWU · Post by **W5RWU** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:19 am

Lt this is good news . I like the sound of
"THE LANGSTON LAW"
In your post you use the phrase"for this stupid passion of mine"
most of us, if not all of us, know what this phrase means !
felicitación hasta luego mi amigo
Randy

upnorth · Post by **upnorth** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:44 am

YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One small step for the NYS legislature, one GIANT step for mankind!
A little sanity in an insane world!!!!!
God guide the Langston Law through!!

Rusty1 · Post by **Rusty1** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:52 am

Cheers LT, that is worth celebrating for sure, fingers crossed for round two.

Rusty1

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:57 am

upnorth wrote:YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One small step for the NYS legislature, one GIANT step for mankind!
A little sanity in an insane world!!!!!
God guide the Langston Law through!!

lt632ret · Post by **lt632ret** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:21 am

This is the sponser in the assemblys press release. I wrote Larry to put an attachment on the forum since I am not clever enough to do that. He must not have seen it or is busy because he is the best. I do not know if this will work but i thought I would give it a shot just to give myself some credibility. LT . PS The original has some pic of the capital

ALBANY OFFICE:
Room 435, LOB, Albany, NY 12248 · (518) 455-5355
DISTRICT OFFICE: 18 Anawana Lake Road, Monticello, NY 12701
(845) 794-5807

Date: June 18, 2007 Contact: Aileen Gunther

***Press Release***

Assemblywoman Gunther: Cutlery museum spotlighting regional wares to be established
in Hudson Valley
Museum showcasing key role of knife industry in region
could boost tourism

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D,C-Forestburgh) announced today the Assembly gave final legislative support to legislation she sponsored to establish a cutlery museum in Orange, Ulster or Sullivan county in order to showcase cutlery and knives that were manufactured in the region (A.1241-A). The bill now goes to the governor for his approval.

“The lower Hudson Valley and Wallkill River Valley — in particular Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties — were once the capital of knife manufacturing in the U.S.,” Gunther said. “A cutlery museum will help share this important aspect of the region’s history, let the world know what a crucial role our region played in the U.S. knife industry, and provide another attraction to draw tourists to the region.”

The museum would have exhibits on manufacturing techniques used in crafting the cutlery, a history of the cultural and social attributes of the workers who made the instruments, and an explanation of the critical role cutlery played in the history of the Industrial Revolution.

A museum of this type in New York State previously had been ruled out because it was considered illegal for museum staff to possess automatic knives, such as switchblade, gravity or stiletto knives. These were some of the many types of knives manufactured in the Hudson and Wallkill valleys and would be an important part of creating a complete picture of the history of the industry.

“Under this new law, a museum dedicated to the rich history of cutlery will be able to possess, own, collect or purchase all kinds of knives so that these important artifacts can be displayed for all the public to see,” Gunther said. “We have an amazing educational opportunity here — one in which New Yorkers will be able to teach and learn about an important and colorful part of our history. I look forward to the governor signing this measure into law.”

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:11 am

LT,
You should celebrate not just because the Langston Law was passed, but celebrate because bureaucrats actually did something that makes sense for a change!

Dale