I bought a SOG knife at a gun show last year. It's a spring-assisted 3 1/2" tanto blade model and has become my favorite daily carry knife. I tried to figure out the PA laws on knives and see that "automatic" knives are prohibited. This knife can easily be flipped open with my thumb via a small knob that goes through the blade.

The PA law states:
“Offensive weapons.” –Any bomb, grenade, machine gun, sawed- off shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, firearm specially made or specially adapted for concealment or silent discharge, any blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles, dagger, knife, razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or otherwise…… or other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury which serves no common lawful purpose…..

Now, is that vague or what? Especially the "or otherwise". What's that supposed to mean? Otherwise can mean a knife you need a can-opener to open. No wonder people despise politicians.