As used in this chapter—

1. (a) The term “interstate commerce” means commerce between any State, Territory, possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and any place outside thereof.

2. (b) The term “switchblade knife” means any knife having a blade which opens automatically—

   1. (1) by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or
   2. (2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both.

(Pub. L. 85–623, § 1, Aug. 12, 1958, 72 Stat. 562.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 85–623, which enacted sections 1241 to 1244 of this title and amended section 1716 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 85–623, § 6, Aug. 12, 1958, 72 Stat. 563, provided that:

“This Act [enacting this chapter and amending

section 1716 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure] shall take effect on the sixtieth day after the date of its enactment [

Aug. 12, 1958].”

Short Title of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–570, title X, § 10001, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–166, provided that:

“This title [enacting

section 1245 of this title, amending

section 1716 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as a note under

section 1245 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Ballistic Knife Prohibition Act of 1986’.”

Short Title

Pub. L. 85–623, Aug. 12, 1958, 72 Stat. 562, which enacted this chapter, is popularly known as the “Federal Switchblade Act”.