Below is the full text of the Federal Switchblade Act, signed into law on August 12th, 1958.



United States Code TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE CHAPTER 29 - MANUFACTURE, TRANSPORTATION, OR DISTRIBUTION OF SWITCHBLADE KNIVES


Section 1241. Definitions

     As used in this chapter -
     (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.
     (b) The term switchblade knife means any knife having a blade
   which opens automatically -
       (1) by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the
     handle of the knife, or
       (2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both.


Section 1242. Introduction, manufacture for introduction, transportation or distribution in interstate commerce; penalty

     Whoever knowingly introduces, or manufactures for introduction,
   into interstate commerce, or transports or distributes in
   interstate commerce, any switchblade knife, shall be fined not more
   than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.


Section 1243. Manufacture, sale, or possession within specific jurisdictions; penalty

     Whoever, within any Territory or possession of the United States,
   within Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18), or
   within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the
   United States (as defined in section 7 of title 18), manufactures,
   sells, or possesses any switchblade knife, shall be fined not more
   than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.


Section 1244. Exceptions

     Sections 1242 and 1243 of this title shall not apply to -
       (1) any common carrier or contract carrier, with respect to any
     switchblade knife shipped, transported, or delivered for shipment
     in interstate commerce in the ordinary course of business;
       (2) the manufacture, sale, transportation, distribution,
     possession, or introduction into interstate commerce, of
     switchblade knives pursuant to contract with the Armed Forces;
       (3) the Armed Forces or any member or employee thereof acting
     in the performance of his duty; or
       (4) the possession, and transportation upon his person, of any
     switchblade knife with a blade three inches or less in length by
     any individual who has only one arm.


Section 1245. Ballistic knives

   (a) Prohibition and penalties for possession, manufacture, sale, or
       importation
     Whoever in or affecting interstate commerce, within any Territory
   or possession of the United States, within Indian country (as
   defined in section 1151 of title 18), or within the special
   maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as
   defined in section 7 of title 18), knowingly possesses,
   manufactures, sells, or imports a ballistic knife shall be fined as
   provided in title 18, or imprisoned not more than ten years, or
   both.
   (b) Prohibition and penalties for possession or use during
       commission of Federal crime of violence
     Whoever possesses or uses a ballistic knife in the commission of
   a Federal crime of violence shall be fined as provided in title 18,
   or imprisoned not less than five years and not more than ten years,
   or both.
   (c) Exceptions
     The exceptions provided in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of
   section 1244 of this title with respect to switchblade knives shall
   apply to ballistic knives under subsection (a) of this section.
   (d) Ballistic knife defined
     As used in this section, the term ballistic knife means a
   knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a
   spring-operated mechanism.

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United States Code TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE PART I - CRIMES CHAPTER 83 - POSTAL SERVICE


Section 1716. Injurious articles as nonmailable

     (a) All kinds of poison, and all articles and compositions
   containing poison, and all poisonous animals, insects, reptiles,
   and all explosives, inflammable materials, infernal machines, and
   mechanical, chemical, or other devices or compositions which may
   ignite or explode, and all disease germs or scabs, and all other
   natural or artificial articles, compositions, or material which may
   kill or injure another, or injure the mails or other property,
   whether or not sealed as first-class matter, are nonmailable matter
   and shall not be conveyed in the mails or delivered from any post
   office or station thereof, nor by any officer or employee of the
   Postal Service.
     (b) The Postal Service may permit the transmission in the mails,
   under such rules and regulations as it shall prescribe as to
   preparation and packing, of any such articles which are not
   outwardly or of their own force dangerous or injurious to life,
   health, or property.
     (c) The Postal Service is authorized and directed to permit the
   transmission in the mails, under regulations to be prescribed by
   it, of live scorpions which are to be used for purposes of medical
   research or for the manufacture of antivenom.  Such regulations
   shall include such provisions with respect to the packaging of such
   live scorpions for transmission in the mails as the Postal Service
   deems necessary or desirable for the protection of Postal Service
   personnel and of the public generally and for ease of handling by
   such personnel and by any individual connected with such research
   or manufacture.  Nothing contained in this paragraph shall be
   construed to authorize the transmission in the mails of live
   scorpions by means of aircraft engaged in the carriage of
   passengers for compensation or hire.
     (d) The transmission in the mails of poisonous drugs and
   medicines may be limited by the Postal Service to shipments of such
   articles from the manufacturer thereof or dealer therein to
   licensed physicians, surgeons, dentists, pharmacists, druggists,
   cosmetologists, barbers, and veterinarians under such rules and
   regulations as it shall prescribe.
     (e) The transmission in the mails of poisons for scientific use,
   and which are not outwardly dangerous or of their own force
   dangerous or injurious to life, health, or property, may be limited
   by the Postal Service to shipments of such articles between the
   manufacturers thereof, dealers therein, bona fide research or
   experimental scientific laboratories, and such other persons who
   are employees of the Federal, a State, or local government, whose
   official duties are comprised, in whole or in part, of the use of
   such poisons, and who are designated by the head of the agency in
   which they are employed to receive or send such articles, under
   such rules and regulations as the Postal Service shall prescribe.
     (f) All spirituous, vinous, malted, fermented, or other
   intoxicating liquors of any kind are nonmailable and shall not be
   deposited in or carried through the mails.
     (g) All knives having a blade which opens automatically (1) by
   hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of
   the knife, or (2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both, are
   nonmailable and shall not be deposited in or carried by the mails
   or delivered by any officer or employee of the Postal Service. Such
   knives may be conveyed in the mails, under such regulations as the
   Postal Service shall prescribe -
       (1) to civilian or Armed Forces supply or procurement officers
     and employees of the Federal Government ordering, procuring, or
     purchasing such knives in connection with the activities of the
     Federal Government;
       (2) to supply or procurement officers of the National Guard,
     the Air National Guard, or militia of a State ordering,
     procuring, or purchasing such knives in connection with the
     activities of such organizations;
       (3) to supply or procurement officers or employees of any
     State, or any political subdivision of a State or Territory,
     ordering, procuring, or purchasing such knives in connection with
     the activities of such government; and
       (4) to manufacturers of such knives or bona fide dealers
     therein in connection with any shipment made pursuant to an order
     from any person designated in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).
   The Postal Service may require, as a condition of conveying any
   such knife in the mails, that any person proposing to mail such
   knife explain in writing to the satisfaction of the Postal Service
   that the mailing of such knife will not be in violation of this
   section.
     (h) Any advertising, promotional, or sales matter which solicits
   or induces the mailing of anything declared nonmailable by this
   section is likewise nonmailable unless such matter contains
   wrapping or packaging instructions which are in accord with
   regulations promulgated by the Postal Service.
     (i)(1) Any ballistic knife shall be subject to the same
   restrictions and penalties provided under subsection (g) for knives
   described in the first sentence of that subsection.
     (2) As used in this subsection, the term ballistic knife
   means a knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a
   spring-operated mechanism.
     Whoever knowingly deposits for mailing or delivery, or knowingly
   causes to be delivered by mail, according to the direction thereon,
   or at any place at which it is directed to be delivered by the
   person to whom it is addressed, anything declared nonmailable by
   this section, unless in accordance with the rules and regulations
   authorized to be prescribed by the Postal Service, shall be fined
   under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
     Whoever knowingly deposits for mailing or delivery, or knowingly
   causes to be delivered by mail, according to the direction thereon
   or at any place to which it is directed to be delivered by the
   person to whom it is addressed, anything declared nonmailable by
   this section, whether or not transmitted in accordance with the
   rules and regulations authorized to be prescribed by the Postal
   Service, with intent to kill or injure another, or injure the mails
   or other property, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or
   imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
     Whoever is convicted of any crime prohibited by this section,
   which has resulted in the death of any person, shall be subject
   also to the death penalty or to imprisonment for life.
     (j) For purposes of this section, the term State includes a
   State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any
   commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.


Section 1716 - Notes

                                  SOURCE
   (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 781; May 8, 1952, ch. 246, 66
   Stat. 67; June 29, 1955, ch. 224, 69 Stat. 191; Pub. L. 85-268,
   Sept. 2, 1957, 71 Stat. 594; Pub. L. 85-623, Sec. 5, Aug. 12, 1958,
   72 Stat. 562; Pub. L. 91-375, Sec. 6(j)(25), Aug. 12, 1970, 84
   Stat. 779; Pub. L. 92-191, Sec. 1, Dec. 15, 1971, 85 Stat. 647;
   Pub. L. 99-570, title X, Sec. 10003, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat.
   3207-167; Pub. L. 103-322, title VI, Sec. 60003(a)(7), title
   XXXIII, Sec. 330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1969, 2147;
   Pub. L. 104-294, title VI, Sec. 607(g), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat.
   3511.)
                      HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
     Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 340 (Mar. 4, 1909. ch.
   321, Sec. 217, 35 Stat. 1131; May 25, 1920, ch. 196, 41 Stat. 620;
   Jan. 11, 1929, ch. 53, 45 Stat. 1072; June 19, 1934, ch. 650, 48
   Stat. 1063).
     Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as
   unnecessary in view of definition of principal in section 2 of
   this title.
     The maximum of twenty years was reduced to ten years as
   more consistent with such comparable sections as sections 111 and
   1113 of this title.
     Minor changes were made in phraseology.
                                AMENDMENTS
     1996 - Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 104-294, Sec. 607(g)(1),
   substituted State for State, Territory, or the District of

   Columbia.
     Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 104-294, Sec. 607(g)(2), which directed
   substitution of any State, or any political subdivision of a
   State for the municipal government of the District of Columbia
   or of the government of any State or territory, or any county,
   city, or other political subdivision of a State, was executed by
   making the substitution in text which contained the word
   Territory rather than territory, to reflect the probable
   intent of Congress.
     Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 104-294, Sec. 607(g)(3), added subsec. (j)
   at end.
     1994 - Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 330016(1)(H), substituted fined

   under this title for fined not more than $1,000 in first
   undesignated par. after subsec. (i).
     Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 60003(a)(7), in last par., struck out
   before period at end , if the jury shall in its discretion so
   direct, or, in the case of a plea of guilty, or a plea of not
   guilty where the defendant has waived a trial by jury, if the court
   in its discretion, shall so order.
     1986 - Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 99-570 added subsec. (i).
     1971 - Subsecs. (a) to (g). Pub. L. 92-191 designated existing
   seven paragraphs preceding the penal provisions as subsecs. (a) to
   (g), respectively.
     Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 92-191 added subsec. (h).
     1970 - First par.  Pub. L. 91-375, Sec. 6(j)(25)(B)(ii),
   substituted officer or employee of the Postal Service for
   letter carrier.
     Second par.  Pub. L. 91-375, Sec. 6(j)(25)(A), substituted
   Postal Service and it shall prescribe for Postmaster

   General and he shall prescribe.
     Third par.  Pub. L. 91-375, Sec. 6(j)(25)(A), substituted
   Postal Service for Postmaster General in two places,
   prescribed by it for prescribed by him, antivenom for
   antivenin, necessary or desirable for necessary or

   advisable, and Postal Service personnel for Post Office
   Department personnel.
     Fourth par.  Pub. L. 91-375, Sec. 6(j)(25)(A), substituted
   Postal Service and it shall prescribe for Postmaster

   General and he shall prescribe, respectively, and struck out
   the comma after veterinarians.
     Fifth par.  Pub. L. 91-375 Sec. 6(j)(25)(B)(i) substituted
   Postal Service for Postmaster General in two places.
     Seventh par.  Pub. L. 91-375, Sec. 6(j)(25)(B)(i), (iii),
   substituted Postal Service for Postmaster General in three
   places, and officer or employee of the Postal Service for
   postmaster, letter carrier, or other person in the postal

   service, respectively.
     Eighth to tenth pars.  Pub. L. 91-375, Sec. 6(j)(25)(B)(i),
   substituted Postal Service for Postmaster General.
     1958 - Pub. L. 85-623 inserted paragraph prohibiting mailing of
   switchblade knives except in connection with Armed Forces or other
   Government orders.
     1957 - Pub. L. 85-268 reduced penalty from two to one year for
   mailing nonmailable articles; increased penalty from ten to twenty
   years for mailing nonmailable matter with intent to kill or injure
   another or injure the mails or other property but where death does
   not result; and provided death penalty or life imprisonment for
   mailing nonmailable matter resulting in death.
     1955 - Act June 29, 1955, inserted paragraph to permit the
   transportation in the mails of live scorpions for certain purposes.
     1952 - Act May 8, 1952, inserted fourth paragraph to extend the
   Postmaster General's authority as it relates to the transmission of
   poisonous drugs through the mails for scientific purposes.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
     Amendment by Pub. L. 99-570 effective 30 days after Oct. 27,
   1986, see section 10004 of Pub. L. 99-570, set out as an Effective
   Date note under section 1245 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1971 AMENDMENT
     Section 3 of Pub. L. 92-191 provided that: The amendments made
   by this Act (amending this section and section 3001 of Title 39,
   Postal Service) shall become effective at the beginning of the
   third calendar month following the date of enactment of this Act
   (Dec. 15, 1971) or on the date section 3001 of title 39, United
   States Code, becomes effective (July 1, 1971) pursuant to section
   15(a) of Public Law 91-375 (set out as an Effective Date note
   preceding section 101 of title 39), whichever is the later.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1970 AMENDMENT
     Amendment by Pub. L. 91-375 effective within 1 year after Aug.
   12, 1970, on date established therefor by Board of Governors of
   United States Postal Service and published by it in Federal
   Register, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91-375, set out as an
   Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal
   Service.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1958 AMENDMENT
     Amendment by Pub. L. 85-623 effective on sixtieth day after Aug.
   12, 1958, see Effective Date note set out under section 1241 of
   Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
                           HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
     Federal Hazardous Substances Act as not modifying this section,
   see Pub. L. 86-613, Sec. 17, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 380, set out
   as a note under section 1261 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
                             CROSS REFERENCES
     Mailing of packages containing any plant or plant product into a
   State maintaining terminal inspection thereof, without marking the
   contents of such package on the outside, prohibited, see section
   166 of Title 7, Agriculture.
     Seizure and disposition of nonmailable matter, see section 3001
   et seq. of Title 39, Postal Service.
                  SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
     This section is referred to in title 39 section 3001.