Section 609.66. Dangerous weapons. Subdivision 1. Acts prohibited. Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a crime... (4) manufactures, transfers, or possesses metal knuckles or a switch blade knife opening automatically; or (5) possesses any other dangerous article or substance for the purpose of being used unlawfully as a weapon against another...

Minnesota law has a gray area when it comes to the balisong knife. Above Minnesota law does state that switch blades are illegal because of automatic opening due to a button and spring system. Yet one is able to buy a knife from a store for example Walmart that are spring assisted and are legal to carry. The only difference in the knives are the position of the finger. One you press a button and the other is the flick of a finger. Both of the knive's blades are propelled open by a spring. The balisong knife is opened manually by the owner. No spring is incorporated in the opening of this knife. Local law enforcement has informed me that balisongs are illegal to carry but when asked what section of the law states that they are unable to answer. Clearly this is based on the stigma of the balisong and not the knife itself. There are many different types of balisongs some made for tactical use or everyday use. And there are others that are used for flipping or manipulating as a martial arts art form. This petition is not only for the balisong community in the state of Minnesota but for all that enjoy this art form and knife. For all of us to come together and stand by our right to own and carry this knife. It time to stop looking at the balisong as a weapon. Because ANY knife can be put under the category as a weapon.