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JOIN KNIFE RIGHTS TODAY! |
"I can't think of a more fundamentally useful, basic tool in existence today than a good quality knife." "I whole-heartedly endorse the work of Knife Rights and support their mission! Join Knife Rights today."
-- R. Lee "The Gunny" Ermey
"Knife Rights is the Second Front in Defense of the Second Amendment. They are the premier grassroots organization protecting our right to own knives. Those who love freedom need Knife Rights, so please join me in supporting their mission."
-- Wayne LaPierre, Exec. VP & CEO, NRA
"Whether in town or on a hunt, a knife earns its place at my side as an essential tool. I am a knife user and proud to be one." "Leave my knives alone! Knife Rights is standing up for our freedom. Join me in this fight; join Knife Rights today!"
-- S.E. Cupp
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Knife Rights Notable Recent Successes |
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- Congress Amends Federal Switchblade Act
to Protect Assisted and One-Hand Openers - Read More...
- Arizona, Utah, New Hampshire, Georgia, Kansas, Alaska & Tennessee Knife Preemption Laws Enacted
National Knife Law Preemption Campaign Rolls On
- New Hampshire, Missouri, Kansas, Alaska, Indiana, Texas & Tennessee Knife Rights Bills
Legalize Automatics (Switchblades) and other banned knives
- Washington Knife Rights Bill
Legalizes Assisted-Openers & Allows Manufacture of Automatics
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JOIN or DONATE to KNIFE RIGHTS TODAY! |
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TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donations to the 501(c)(3) Knife Rights Foundation will be DOUBLED if made prior to Midnight, Dec. 31, thanks to a generous benefactor. |
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The FORCE is with Knife Rights! An Extraordinary Record of Success! |
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December 29, 2014: With 2014 fading away, we look forward to the new year with great anticipation. In the waning months of this year we've been working hard getting ready for the 2015 legislative session. The coming weeks and months will see a record number of Knife Rights bills filed, building on the momentum we have achieved in the past six years.
Knife Rights' unprecedented record of success--19 legislative victories in 15 states in 6 years--has been a team effort made possible only because of your generous support. Our passion is fueled by you; we are forging a Sharper Future™ together. Please enjoy this short Knife Wars™ 2014 video.
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Knife Rights Joins Coalition Brief in Peruta v. San Diego Federal Right-to-Carry Lawsuit |
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December 26, 2014: On Christmas Eve, attorneys for a coalition of 22 pro-Second Amendment organizations and individual plaintiffs filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the matter of Peruta v. San Diego, a lawsuit challenging the discretionary "may issue" handgun carry permit policies of San Diego Sheriff William Gore. Knife Rights Foundation elected to join this brief because the Peruta decision is of great importance to the analysis and outcomes of both future Second Amendment issues as well as current and potential Knife Rights cases.
Click on "Read More >>>>" for additional details including a link to the brief. |
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Connecticut Supreme Court Decision in Knife Case Affirms Second Amendment Status and Rights |
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December 16, 2014: Since its inception, Knife Rights has had as a foundational position that knives are arms protected by the Second Amendment. Our logo claims these are "Essential Rights." However, actual court rulings on this issue are always appreciated. Recently the Connecticut Supreme Court has affirmed that knives are arms protected by the Second Amendment in a case with potential wider implications.
In its decision overturning a prior conviction, the Court held that "the second amendment protects the defendant’s right to possess the dirk knife … in his home and, second, that the statute’s complete ban on transporting those items between residences unduly burdens that right." The Court further said, "[t]hus, the safe transportation of weapons protected by the second amendment is an essential corollary of the right to possess them in the home for self-defense when such transportation is necessary to effectuate that right."
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Knife Rights First Annual Ratings of Worst Anti-Knife Cities and Best States for Knife Owners |
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November 19, 2014: In the past five years Knife Rights has
significantly improved knife ownership and carry in the United States, passing
15 pro-knife bills in 11 states. This first annual review of the worst and best
knife laws in America contrasts places where law-abiding knife owners enjoy
complete or substantial freedom with those places which restrict the freedom of
honest citizens by imposing arbitrary and irrational restrictions.The ratings were released at the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Sportsman - Legislator Summit held in Sunriver, Oregon.
The ten worst anti-knife cities stand out for their outright persecution of honest
knife owners and extraordinarily restrictive anti-knife ordinances, far more
severe and irrational than even the state laws in those areas. All too often
this results in unwary citizens being subject to arrest and prosecution, and
loss of their knives, for having a knife that is perfectly legal elsewhere in
the state.
1. New York, NY / 2. Philadelphia, PA / 3. Ocean City, MD / 4. San Antonio, TX / 5. Rocky River, OH / 6. Boston, MA / 7. Cleveland, OH / 8. Chicago, IL / 9. Corpus Christi, TX / 10. Aspen, CO
CLICK HERE for more details on each of the 10 worst cities' knife restrictions and the 10 Best States for Knife Owners |
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New York City Pays $7,500 to Falsely Arrested Knife Owner! |
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Oct. 31, 2014: The City of New York has agreed to pay $7,500 to a falsely arrested knife owner in a Knife Rights supported case. The embarrassing settlement shows that the city would rather pay than try to justify its illegal conduct after police declared his knife an illegal "gravity knife" even though the blade did not lock open. The knife owner (a sculptor who uses a knife for his work) was arrested, handcuffed, booked, and placed in a holding cell like a common criminal.
"New York City's outrageous persecution of those with common pocket knives must end. This is just one of thousands of similar outrageous excesses by the City and DA. Knife Rights will continue to fight these unconstitutional abuses by the City until we win" said Doug Ritter, Chairman of Knife Rights. |
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New York's Village Voice Slams NYC Gravity Knife Enforcement |
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Oct. 8, 2014: New York City's The Village Voice newspaper has published a front-page article, "Blade Stunner," slamming the City's persecution of knife owners. Journalist Jon Campbell's in-depth research provides a historical perspective and personalizes the unfortunate and serious impact the City's irrational and unconstitutional enforcement has had on citizens arrested and prosecuted for simply carrying a common folding knife.
One of the most shocking revelations in this article confirms Knife Rights' longstanding position that tens of thousands of citizens have been victimized by the City's outrageous enforcement practices. In the first estimate by an independent organization it reports that, "Village Voice analysis of data from several sources suggests there have been as many as 60,000 gravity-knife prosecutions over the past decade, and that the rate has more than doubled in that time. If those estimates are correct, it's enough to place gravity-knife offenses among the top 10 most prosecuted crimes in New York City."
Click here to read the complete "Blade Stunner" article.
Author Jon Campbell also has a short somewhat humorous, if pointed, companion piece, which makes good reading as well, "On Switchblades, 'Cheap Dime Store Hoods' and That Wet End, Lachance"
Knife Rights' Federal civil rights lawsuit continues against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. Click here to read the latest news on this lawsuit.
Please support Knife Rights' fight against New York City by making a donation: http://www.KnifeRights.org/Donate |
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Knife Rights' Latest Brief in NYC Lawsuit Cuts Through District Attorney's Baseless Arguments |
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Sept. 2, 2014: Knife Rights filed a Reply Brief in its appeal of a U.S. District Court's absurd ruling in its ongoing Federal Civil Rights lawsuit against New York City and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. The 30-page legal brief was filed on August 28, 2014, and can be viewed at: www.KnifeRights.org/Knife_Rights_Reply_Brief.pdf
The Reply Brief is the final document needed for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to consider the appeal brought by Knife Rights. It was submitted in response to the District Attorney and City's briefs opposing the appeal. You can read the nonsensical government brief here: www.KnifeRights.org/DAoppbrief.pdf
For complete details, click on "Read More>>>>" below. |
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NY Court Sets Aside Gravity Knife Charge: WARNING! DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING for Now |
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July 25, 2014: In a remarkably commonsense decision, a New York court has set aside a Gravity Knife prosecution "in the interest of justice." Click to read the Judge's decision. This decision is getting a lot of attention, which is good, however... WARNING! Residents of New York City and those traveling there should NOT take this as meaning that they can now carry any folding knife they want. (Click Read More >>>> below for details) |
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Automatic (Switchblade) Knives & Carry Over 4-inches Now Legal in Tennessee |
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July 1, 2014: July 1st is Knife Freedom Day in Tennessee. Knife Rights' repeal of the ban on automatic (switchblade) knives and the carry of knives over four inches in length "with intent to go armed," a vague law subject to abusive interpretation, goes into effect today. Combined with Knife Law Preemption that Knife Rights passed in Tennessee last year, which rendered null and void all local laws more restrictive than state law, this means that all law-abiding citizens of the Volunteer State can now own and carry the knife of their choice.
Knife Rights cautions that not all law enforcement officers may be aware of the change in the law, so be respectful, polite and cooperative if stopped, but suggest they may want to check before trying to enforce a law no longer on the books. All Knife Rights members should review attorney Evan Nappen's recently updated article, "Knife Arrest! How Knife Owners Can Protect Themselves" |
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Knife Rights LegalBlade™ App Introduced - World's First Knife Law App! |
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Knife Rights Foundation is pleased to announce its groundbreaking LegalBlade™ App - Knife Laws in America™. LegalBlade™ is the world's first knife law app! LegalBlade™ provides guidance at your fingertips to the knife laws of all 50 states as well as over 40 cities and local jurisdictions in the United States.
Knife Rights Founder and Chairman Doug Ritter said, "While Knife Rights will continue to aggressively work to repeal bad knife laws, knowledge of the law is the first step in avoiding an unfortunate arrest, loss of your knife or other legal complications."
The LegalBlade™ App is available now in the App Store and on Google play
Click on "Read More >>>>" for additional details. |
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Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter Receives Carter-Knight Freedom Fund Award |
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| (L-R) NRACRDF Vice-Chair Carol Bambery, Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter, Past NRA President Sandy Froman, NRACRDF Chairman Bill Dailey |
May 1, 2014: Knife Rights Founder and Chairman Doug Ritter was presented with the Carter-Knight Freedom Fund Award from the NRA's Civil Rights Defense Fund at the NRA's Annual Board of Directors Meeting held in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 28, 2014.
The Carter-Knight Freedom Fund Award is the most prestigious honor bestowed by the NRACRDF and was presented by NRACRDF Chairman and NRA Director William H. Dailey. Dailey said, "Doug's dedication and tireless effort to establish and protect the Second Amendment rights of knife owners has provided NRACRDF ample cause to recognize him for his significant achievements." |
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Knife Rights' Knife Owners' Protection Act Introduced in Congress |
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Nov. 14, 2013: Knife Rights' Knife Owners' Protection Act, H.R.3478 (KOPA), has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by sponsor Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ). Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter explained, "KOPA will protect law-abiding knife owners travelling throughout the U.S. from the vagaries of restrictive state and local laws. As long as possession of the particular knife is legal in the state where the journey starts and ends, and provided the knife is secured in accordance with KOPA, a knife owner would no longer be threatened with arrest simply for traveling from one place to another." KOPA is the first proactive pro-knife federal legislation introduced in the nation's history.
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
Getting this bill introduced is only the first step. We need your help to gain additional co-sponsors. If your Representative is not already a co-sponsor, please call or email your Representative TODAY and urge them to co-sponsor this commonsense legislation. You can find your Representative at: www.house.gov/representatives/find/
Or, you can use the Open Congress website at: www.opencongress.org/bill/hr3478-113
Here's a model email that you can use. We strongly suggest you keep it simple and to the point:
I support H.R.3478, the Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2013. I urge you to become a co-sponsor of this commonsense legislation that will protect my rights and the rights of all knife owners to travel throughout the U.S. without fear of prosecution under the myriad of state and local knife laws.
For complete details, click on "Read More>>>>" below.
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Knife Rights' Knife Owners' Protection Act Introduced in U.S. Senate! |
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Jan. 18, 2014: Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Mike Lee (R-UT) have introduced a complimentary Senate version of Knife Rights' Knife Owners' Protection Act, S.1955 (KOPA), This follows the introduction of Knife Rights' KOPA bill in the House last November. The Senate bill is based on the House bill as conceived and developed by Knife Rights, although it is formatted according to Senate rules. Knife Rights worked diligently with the Senate sponsors to ensure the Senate bill was fully aligned with the original House KOPA bill.
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
Getting this bill introduced is only the first step. We need your help to gain additional co-sponsors. If your Senator is not already a co-sponsor, please call or email your Senator TODAY and urge them to co-sponsor this commonsense legislation. You can find your Senator at: www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Or, you can use the Open Congress website at: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/s1955-113/show
For additional details, including a model email, click on "Read More>>>>" below.
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Word "Knife" not "Family Friendly" - Who knew? M&M's Rejects Knife Rights' Order! |
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Saying that the word "knife" in the Knife Rights logo "is not family friendly," M&M's rejected a Knife Rights order for promotional packages of M&M's candies with the Knife Rights logo on them. Then they lied and claimed Knife Rights canceled the order, when it was entirely their doing!
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Knives and the Second Amendment Published |
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The first detailed scholarly analysis of knives and the Second Amendment has been published in the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform (vol. 47, pages 167-215). Authored by noted Second Amendment scholars Dave Kopel, Clayton Cramer and Joe Olson, the paper makes the case for knives as "arms" protected by the Second Amendment, supporting one of Knife Rights' foundational tenets.
Knife Rights applauds these scholars for this long-overdue effort. This is a great start on the sort of scholarly work that needs to be done to assist in potential legal cases down the road. The arguments made and supported in this article will also support our legislative efforts to roll back knife bans and oppose proposed new restrictions on knives.
For more details and a link to the complete article Knives and the Second Amendment, click on "Read More>>>>" below.
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Knife Rights Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Against New York City and NYC DA Cyrus Vance, Jr. |
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Knife Rights is the lead plaintiff in a Federal Civil Rights lawsuit originally filed in June,2011, against New York City and New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr.over their wrongful harassment of knife owners, retailers and manufacturers. As
this lawsuit works its way forward, we will post newsworthy events and links to
articles, motions and other relevant information here (Click on "Read
More >>>>" below for links).
Lawsuit Summary: The lawsuit challenges New York
City’s and District Attorney Vance’s attempt to criminalize as contraband the
most widely-owned pocket knives in America -- one-hand opening and assisted
opening folding knives -- under state laws prohibiting switchblades and gravity
knives. The case seeks a judicial determination that the New York State laws regarding switchblades and gravity knives are unconstitutionally vague as applied by
NYC and the DA to these common pocket knives (which are distinct from gravity
knives and switchblades because of their bias towards closure). Knife Rights'
lawsuit intends to stop New York City officials from abusing this vague state
law to make bogus arrests of law-abiding citizens carrying common pocket
knives, and from coercing knife retailers into making huge payments to avoid
prosecution.(Click on "Read More >>>>" below for links to background articles)
Status Summary as of Sept. 2, 2014: Knife Rights filed a Reply Brief in its appeal of a U.S. District Court's absurd ruling in its ongoing Federal Civil Rights lawsuit against New York City and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. The 30-page legal brief was filed on August 28, 2014, and can be viewed here. Click here to read article with full details. |
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Mother Jones Takes on Knife Rights |
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Nov. 1, 2012 (UPDATED Dec.12, 2012): Mother Jones takes on Knife Rights in the November-December issue of the left-wing publication. While we could never have expected Mother Jones to be supportive of our positions, and their prejudices come through loud and clear in their snarky headline and over-the-top illustration, they mostly got the facts straight (with a couple glaring exceptions) and fairly presented our views.
Considering the source, it is a surprisingly balanced presentation of a subject they clearly find offensive. Mother Jones declined to allow us to re-publish the article, but you can read it here with an updated hyperbolic headline, "Move Over, NRA. Meet the Knife Lobby": http://bit.ly/UPj9Td
Click here to make a donation to support Knife Rights' Federal Civil Rights lawsuit against New York City.
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