➡ The Department of Justice (DOJ) is arguing that pocket knives are not covered by the Second Amendment, which protects the right to bear arms. This argument is part of a court case involving the Federal Switchblade Act. Critics say this interpretation is not only incorrect but also dangerous, as it could limit the rights of citizens to defend themselves. The DOJ’s stance is seen as an attempt to redefine the boundaries of a fundamental constitutional right.

Well, we couldn’t close the year on a good mark. The DOJ had to do it again. Now they’re trying to redefine what an arm is. And this should… This should make you want to pass this on because people out there think that the DOJ is doing really good things for the Second Amendment. Alright folks, today we need to talk about something that should concern every Second Amendment supporter because once again… Once again, the most self-proclaimed, most pro-2A DOJ ever is added again. The federal government is trying to redraw the boundaries of a fundamental constitutional right. According to a new court filing, the federal government under the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, is now arguing that the Second Amendment does not cover pocket knives.

Yes, knives. Not machine guns, not explosives, not some exotic military hardware. Pocket knives. And the argument that they’re using should set off alarm bells for every American who understands what the Second Amendment actually says and what it actually protects. And this comes out of the Fifth Circuit case involving the Federal Switchblade Act where the Department of Justice is arguing that automatic knives fall outside the scope of the Second Amendment entirely. Yes. Yeah, you heard that. Once again, the Department of Justice is telling states and municipalities, you are violating the Second Amendment while they continue to defend every illegal, unconstitutional piece of gun control or knife control in courts every chance they get.

So the feds can screw you and your rights, but the municipalities and states can’t. Make it make sense. You can’t. Let’s break this down because what the government is claiming here is not only wrong, but it’s dangerous. The Second Amendment protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms, not firearms, not muskets, not rifles, arms. And the word choice matters. Before we press forward on this, because this is going to piss you off, I want to thank the sponsor, CMMG, for always supporting this channel. I get into the weeds and challenge government people constantly, and CMMG has stood by this channel for years.

If you believe in quality precision and protecting our rights, these folks are worth knowing. Whether you’re looking for 22s or bigger chamberings or just want accessories done right with attention to detail, CMMG delivers. Their craftsmanship and respect for the Second Amendment always show. And as always, purchasing from reliable manufacturers helps us ensure safety, accountability, and quality. GNG 10 will make you smile. Check out their zeroed line of cans. Thanks for supporting this kind of conversation, CMMG. It really, really means a lot. Also, today is New Year’s Eve, December 31st. If you carry a gun or you love the fact that you can defend yourself and your loved ones here in America with or without a gun, with a knife too, then join Attorneys on Retainer now before the end of the year, because at the clock striking, midnight to night, prices are going up.

So if you join today, you can lock in this pricing for today until 2030, and it’s huge. Plus, I can save you $50 off your individual plan sign-up fee or $25 off your family plan sign-up fee by using my code GNG at the link below. You can also use this QR code for your convenience. I don’t know where I’m going to put it today when I edit, but jump on it now, guys. Time is running out, and God forbid you ever have to defend yourself. The Department of Justice isn’t going to defend you. You’re going to want a seasoned Bulldog attorney in your corner.

And their attorneys only do self-defense cases, and they’re the best in the country. And if you have to go to trial for a felony, you will get four attorneys fighting for your freedom. Remember, use my code GNG at the link below or the QR code. All right, let’s talk arms, because apparently the Department of Justice forgot all about what they are. At the founding, arms, not firearms, just arms, meant all bearable weapons. Anything a person could carry for lawful purposes like self-defense, malicious service, or resistance to tyranny. That includes firearms, swords, bayonets, clubs, and yes, knives, and more.

Weapons of immediate means. If I’m going to do a fight, and I see the lights dimming, and all I have is a rock, that’s a bearable arm. Because I’m going to bash you in with it. In fact, knives were among the most common personal arms in early America. Every man carried one, farmers, tradesmen, sailors, soldiers, all of them. So when the DOJ claims that knives, especially folding knives, fall outside the Second Amendment, they’re not interpreting history. They’re trying to rewrite it. In this case, the federal government is defending the Federal Switchblade Act, a 1958 law that restricts interstate commerce and possession of certain automatic knives.

But instead of arguing that the law is limited regulation, the DOJ goes much further. They argue that automatic knives are not protected by the Second Amendment at all, because why? Well, because they’re allegedly dangerous, and they’re allegedly unusual, and they claim there’s a long tradition of banning concealed or bladed weapons. Show me. Now, that sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Because that exact same playbook we’ve seen used against firearms. The DOJ leans heavily on the dangerous and unusual language from District of Columbia v. Heller, Supreme Court case. But here’s what they don’t tell you.

The Supreme Court said weapons are unprotected only if they are both dangerous and unusual. Knives fail that test immediately. Knives are common. It is probably 150 in this house alone. They’re widely owned. They’re used every single day by law-abiding Americans, and clearly not unusual by any historical or modern standard. A pocket knife is probably the most commonly owned tool-weapon hybrid in America, and should be part of everybody’s everyday carry. And calling it unusual is absurd. Now, calling it dangerous proves too much, because every arm protected by the Second Amendment is dangerous by design.

If I have to put a hole in you so that you leak out because you’ve tried to take my life, yes, it’s dangerous, but it’s necessary. That’s the point. The DOJ also relies on 19th century concealed carry restrictions on buoy knives and daggers just to justify modern bans. Now, buoy knives and daggers are my favorite kind of knives. Ask my friend Jason Knight, Master Bladesmith from Forged in Fire. I keep bugging him to make me one. Jason, I know you’re watching. Hint, hint. But here’s the sleight of hand. Those laws regulated how arms were carried, not whether this arm or that arm is protected or not.

And even courts at the time made that distinction clear. They upheld bans on concealed carry while explicitly affirming that citizens retain the right to own the weapon, carry it openly, use it for lawful defense. And that distinction absolutely matters. And the DOJ is deliberately blurring it because they’re a bunch of asshats. Regulating mode of carry is not the same thing as declaring an entire class of arms outside the Second Amendment’s protections. Under New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruin, the test is crystal clear. If an arm is bearable, commonly owned and used for lawful purposes, it’s protected.

And the burden is on the government to show a historical analog from the founding era that justifies a modern restriction. Not 1958, not 1870, not progressive era moral panic laws, the founding era. And the DOJ cannot do that for knives, because knives were universally accepted as protected arms at the time of ratification. This case isn’t about switchblades. It’s about shrinking the definition of arms. If the government can say knives aren’t protected, then tomorrow it becomes certain pistols aren’t protected, certain rifles aren’t protected, certain features aren’t protected. And once you abandon the principle that all bearable arms are covered, the Second Amendment becomes whatever the government says it is.

And that’s not a right, that’s a permission slip. And the Second Amendment does not protect only what the government finds respectable or only what politicians personally approve or only what bureaucrats like. It protects what the people keep and bear. And knives, whether automatic or otherwise, have always been part of that tradition. This case is a perfect reminder that the greatest threat to the Second Amendment isn’t always loud anti-gun politicians. Sometimes it’s quiet legal arguments that sound technical, but gut the right from the inside. And the founders didn’t write the right to keep and bear arms unless the government decides otherwise.

They wrote, shall not be infringed, and that applies to all bearable arms. If you found this breakdown valuable, make sure that you’re subscribed to the channel, share this video, and stay informed, because these fights are happening in courtrooms long before they ever hit Congress. As always, guys and gals, stay vigilant, stay armed, and stay free. Happy New Year. Thank you for a great year here on Guns and Gadgets. Can’t do it without you. I’m just a clown talking to a camera at my bar if you’re not watching. I appreciate you all.

Thank you so much. From the bottom of my heart, I hope you have a good New Year, and don’t get caught up in amateur hour tonight. Protect yourself, carry your tools, and get attorneys on retainer before you go out in the madness. I’ll see you on the next one. Take care. Thank you. [tr:trw].

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