Taylor V. United States

The United States of America and two Customs Service officers, John T. Simpson and Burns O'Brien ("appellants"), appeal the district court's decision that certain knives imported into this country by appellee, Stewart A. Taylor, d/b/a Taylor Cutlery Manufacturing Company ("Taylor"), and seized by the United States Customs Service, are not switchblade knives within the meaning of 15 U.S.C. § 1241(b) and 19 C.F.R. § 1295(a)(1). The district court's order enjoined appellants from seizing future importations of these knives described as Balisong knives made in the Philippines. Appellants had determined that the Balisong knives at issue in this case were switchblade knives and prohibited from importation.