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A so-called gravity knife. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has vetoed a bill that would have amended the definition of so-called gravity knives to exclude some blades.

(Provided photo)

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday vetoed a bill that would have decriminalized certain types of pocketknives.

The bill was aimed at undoing legislation from the 1950s making any knife illegal that could be opened with a flick of the wrist.

The bill would have amended the definition of so-called gravity knives to exclude some blades.

Over the years, many people have been arrested in the state simply for carrying blades sold as tools at hardware stores.

Cuomo agreed the current law doesn't work. But in a veto memorandum he said the bill didn't fully address the problem.

"This construct is absurd and must be addressed but this bill unfortunately does not address it," Cuomo wrote.

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio applauded the veto and said the bill would have legalized dangerous weapons.

A copy of Cuomo's veto message was posted on the Albany Times Union website.