[Conscience of a Conservative]

We then turn to the courts and the common practice in the Maryland criminal justice system to determine how persons are charged when they are found in possession of an assisted-opening knife that is not a switchblade. I argue they are charged under the switchblade law.

Argue based on what?

[101stAirborneVet]

Argue based on what?

Based on a plain reading of the statute.

§ 59-22 Switch-blade knives.

It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, carry, or possess any knife with an automatic spring or other device for opening and/or closing the blade

This makes any knife with a device for opening or closing the blade illegal to possess in Baltimore. This is much more broad than just "switchblades".