NOTE: Progress is being made on this issue. For the very latest news please click here for more information. The letter has been deleted as it is no longer necessary. There does seem to be some confusion, based on emails we have received and posts on various online forums, as to what happens next. So, just to clear up any questions, this proposal does NOT now take effect. The comment period ended June 21st. … Continued... Read More
NOTE: Progress is being made on this issue. For the very latest news please click here for more information. The letters have been deleted as they are no longer necessary. Write your Senators NOW to STOP funding for Customs' Pocket Knife Grab. As you are aware, Customs is proposing to prohibit the import of assisted and one-hand openers and in the process has broadly re-defined what a Switchblade is to cover almost all pocket knives, with potential far-reaching consequences. Our best bet to stop Customs in the short term is for Congress to prevent them from spending a dime to implement their proposed ruling. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Bill will be taken up by the Senate on Tuesday, July 7th. We need your help NOW to rally support for an amendment to stop funding for this Customs rulemaking. Timing has not worked in our favor as D.C. has become a ghost town due to the July 4th recess. We will have only two days to make this work upon their return. Your emails to Senate offices will get their attention upon their return and will be a huge help as our lobbyists and legislative representatives work Monday and Tuesday to get an amendment introduced and voted into the DHS Appropriations Bill. Click here for letters to email to your Senators. DO IT TODAY! (NO Longer Necessary) More News: Our representative in Washington reports he was told that CPB has received 8 Postal Service tubs and estimated 2,000 comments. Knife Rights was told to expect an opportunity to inspect the comments during the second week of July after CBP has had the opportunity to open and classify the comments. Thanks to everyone who made the extra effort to mail in their comments to Customs. One must assume that this is about 7.9 tubs more than they expected. Breaking News: Customs' Pocket Knife Grab makes the front page of The Washington Times. You can read the article here. Breaking News: House Rules Committee kills Latta-Minnick Amendment. While disappointing, other options are being pursued. After working closely with Representative Bob Latta (R-OH) we are pleased to announce that Rep. Latta and Rep. Walt Minnick (D-ID) have co-sponsored an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill to Restrict Funds to Implement the proposed CBP rule. Our thanks to Reps. Latta and Minnick for taking a leadership role in this fight. This is just the first step in a complicated process, but it is important. We will post more information as soon as we get it. The amendment is now posted here. What Happens Next? Here's a preview of what comes next in this fight. Breaking News: Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus has urged U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to withdraw CBP Proposal. Click here to view the Congressional letter with 80 signatures. Breaking News: National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) submitted Comments opposing CBP proposal. At 3:50 EDT this afternoon, our Comments on Customs and Border Protection's Revocation and Ruling proposal was sent off by FedEx for delivery tomorrow by CBP's deadline. It has been a difficult task to put together a coherent brief on their proposal in the ridiculously short time they allowed. But, of course, that's what CBP was counting on in providing only the minimum comment period and denying any extension. My special thanks to Evan Nappen and Richard Gilbert, and the rest of Evan's law firm, who managed to make time for us in an already full schedule and who worked long hours and late into the night because they care about this issue personally. Click here to read our Comments submitted to CBP. Click to read the rest of this News Slice Newsletter...... Read More
Knife Rights News Slice Vol. 2 Number 5 NOTE: Progress is being made on this issue. For the very latest news please click here for more information. The letter has been deleted as it is no longer necessary. Breaking News: We have received word that U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has DENIED the numerous requests for extension that it had received from Knife Rights, AKTI, manufacturers and citizens like you, and is planning to stick with the June 21 deadline for comments. CBP's denial of an extension seems to be a clear indication that they do not intend to act in a fair and reasonable manner on this issue and have already made their decision to go ahead. That may be a somewhat cynical viewpoint, but given the history of CBP, it seems like a good bet. That means we have to set the stage for the next act, which will likely be conducted both in court and in Congress. The battle is far from over; your comments will play a key role in both efforts. If you haven't yet submitted comments, you need to do it NOW! Your comments on the record will make a difference and the more the better. CLICK HERE to read the rest of this News Slice newsletter for important developments.... Read More
NOTE: Progress is being made on this issue. For the very latest news please click here for more information. The letters have been deleted as they are no longer necessary. The U.S. Government is after your Pocket Knives! In a sneak attack, U.S. Customs has proposed revoking earlier rulings that assisted opening knives are not switchblades. The proposal would not only outlaw assisted opening knives, its overly broad new definition of a switchblade would also include all one-handed opening knives and most other pocket knives! Knife Rights was formed three years ago because we knew it was only a matter of time before there would be a major attempt to take away our knives, as has occurred in England, Europe and elsewhere. Little did we guess that the first major battle at a national level wouldn't come head on, but with government bureaucrats trying to sneak it by everyone, avoiding a more conventional legislative battle, which they know they'd likely lose. Knife Rights is geared up to help win this fight, but we cannot do it without your help, your emails, your letters. The fight can only be won if we raise enough hell that they are convinced they will not get away with this. YOU are the most effective arrow in our quiver, the most powerful cartridge in our gun.... Read More