The state law definition of a switchblade is:
“a knife or a penknife having a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife, commonly called a switchblade knife or a switchblade penknife”
The Baltimore Muni Code definition is:
“any knife with an automatic spring or other device for opening and/or closing the blade, commonly known as a switch-blade knife.”
They both use the “other device” catchall, but the state law would require it to be in the handle, so you could argue the city’s version is less restrictive.
One other reason a municipality passes its own redundant version of a state law is because it isn’t satisfied with the way the county or state is prosecuting violations, and wants to be able to prosecute those cases itself. It may be a PITA to get the DA’s office to file on a simple possession case, but the City Attorney’s office is right down the hall.
Thanks for that info on the definition of a switch blade. How did this idiot prosecutor get this so wrong? The charge of illegal imprisonment should be thrown out at the probable cause hearing.