Justice Serge Georges Jr. emphasized that 'Americans carried small knives, including folding pocketknives, for self-defense, hunting, and trapping in the 17th and 18th centuries.' This historical context underscores the argument that knives, including switchblades, have long been part of American self-defense and utility practices, suggesting a continuity in the understanding of what constitutes 'arms' under the Second Amendment. Moreover, he referenced contemporaneous dictionary definitions to bolster the case that switchblades are indeed arms, fitting into the Second Amendment's protections.
The ruling cited the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions in Bruen and Heller, which reshaped how lower courts assess firearm regulations. Although focused on guns, these decisions promote the idea that laws surrounding weapons must align with societal practices at the time the Second Amendment was ratified. This presents a broader challenge to existing laws governing knives and other tools, potentially questioning long-standing restrictions that may not reflect their historical context or common use.
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