Search Results for texas

Knife Rights’ Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 1311, died in the Senate again this year, once again the victim of Texas politics having nothing to do with our bill or its subject matter. It’s not much solace, but ours was just one of hundreds of bills in both houses of the legislature failed to move as a result of this political infighting and power plays.

We thank our bill authors,

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Knife Rights’ Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 1311, was passed today by the full House with a unanimous bipartisan vote. We thank our bill sponsors, Representatives Harold Dutton and Ryan Guillen, for their efforts, and all of you who emailed to get this bill out of committee. HB 1311 now moves to the Senate for action.

Knife Rights will let you know as soon as it is appropriate to contact your Texas Senators to support HB 1311.

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Longtime Knife Rights Texas bill sponsor, Representative Harold Dutton, has introduced HB 1311, a bill that would remove two commonly visited places where Location-Restricted Knives (knives over 5 1/2 inches) are banned. Those locations are restaurants and bars that derive 51% of their income from sale or service of alcoholic beverages and amusement parks.

Knife Rights will let you know as soon as it is appropriate to contact your Texas lawmakers to support HB 1311.

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If you are a Texas resident, use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to urge members of the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs to push for a vote on HB 956. Time is running out. Every indication is we have the BIPARTISAN votes needed to pass the bill in Committee and on the floor of the Senate, but the bill is stalled. Governor Abbott has indicated he would sign the bill. The Chairman has not allowed a vote to be held.

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We are very happy to announce that the Texas Knife Lockdown bill, HB 4415, has, for all practical purposes, died without a committee vote. All normal deadlines to move the bill have passed. To paraphrase, stick a knife in it, it’s done!

This ill-conceived bill would have required broadly defined “retail establishments” in Texas, including knifemakers at knife shows, to only display knives “in a locked transparent case accessible only with the assistance of an employee of the establishment.”

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Knife Rights’ bipartisan Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 956, was passed by the Texas House of Representatives today by a vote of  142 to 2. It now moves to the Senate for their consideration. Thanks to all our Texas members and supporters who used Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to email their Representatives to support this bill.

HB 956 would remove from statute a number of places where Location-Restricted Knives (having blades over 5 1/2 inches) are banned,

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STOP the Texas Knife Lockdown! Texas HB 4415 would require “retail establishments” to display ALL knives “in a locked transparent case accessible only with the assistance of an employee of the establishment.”

A committee hearing was held yesterday with emotional testimony from the family of a young man tragically murdered in a Corpus Christi Walmart last year. Knife Rights representatives and friends provided testimony in opposition to this well-intentioned, but ill-conceived and draconian bill.

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The Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee held a hearing yesterday for HB 956 that would remove from statute a number of places where Location-Restricted Knives (having blades over 5 1/2 inches) are banned. Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, gave testimony on the bill at the hearing (photo below). This bill hearing and vote came about only after Todd spent weeks lobbying in Austin to gain support for the bill and to get the bill scheduled for a hearing.

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A Texas bill, HB 4415, has been introduced that would require “retail establishments” to display knives “in a locked transparent case accessible only with the assistance of an employee of the establishment.”

For purposes of this bill,”knife” is very broadly defined as “any bladed hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person with the instrument.” “Retail establishment” is also very broadly defined as “a place of business open to the general public for the sale of goods or services.”

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Two companion bills have been introduced in the Texas Senate and House, SB 18 and HB 2249, that would restrict the powers of state and local government to infringe on constitutional rights during declared emergencies. Among others whose rights would be protected, it would shield businesses which engage in the knife trade, as well as knife owners, from interference by the government at such times.

In addition, two more bills with this Knife Rights-supported language have been filed.

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Long time Texas Knife Rights sponsor Representative Harold Dutton has introduced HB 956 that would remove from statute a number of places where Location-Restricted Knives are banned. The locations being removed includes restaurants and bars that derive 51% of their income from sale or service of alcoholic beverages, amusement parks and places of religious worship.

In 2013 Knife Rights’ repeal of Texas’ switchblade ban was enacted. In 2015 Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption was enacted,

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Texas Senator Drew Springer has introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR7 that would designate the Bowie Knife as the official state knife of Texas. This is a companion resolution to the original he filed in the House, HCR1, as a Representative, prior to moving to the Senate. This is a corrected version of HCR 86 that passed with bipartisan support in 2019, but which Governor Abbott vetoed because it contained an obvious historical error.

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A Texas bill that strengthens the state’s preemption statute, HB 3231, has been signed by Governor Abbott. HB3231 enhances the state’s firearm and knife law preemption statute by adding a provision that prevents local governments from restricting firearms and knife sales through the use of zoning and other local ordinances.

It also further clarified and strengthened the statute by adding “possession, wearing, carrying” and “storage” of firearms and knives to the preemption statute.

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Knife Rights supported HB 446, repealing the ban on carry of clubs (including tomahawks) and possession of knuckles (including trench knives and the like) has been signed by Texas Governor Abbot.  It will be effective on September 1, 2019.

NOTE: A Trench Knife with a blade over 5.5-inches will be considered a Location Restricted Knife and is banned from carry at some specific locations.

In 2013 Knife Rights’

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After intense lobbying by Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, working closely with sponsor Senator Bryan Hughes and our friends in Austin, the Texas Senate on Monday passed Knife Rights’ “Location-Restricted Knife” Reform Bill, SB 2381, by a bipartisan vote of 19-12. The bill’s co-author is Sen. Pat Fallon. The bill has been transmitted to the House where the House companion bill, HB 2342, sponsored by Rep.

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Doug Ritter, Knife Rights Chairman, and Todd Rathner, Knife Rights’ Director of Legislative Affairs, were in Austin, Texas, this week to celebrate last year’s enactment of HB 1935. That bill eliminated from Texas statute the prohibition against carrying “illegal knives,” including throwing knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos, poniards, swords, spears and most notably, Bowie knives, as well as blades over 5.5 inches except in a few locations (Click for full details).

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Texas HB 1935, that was passed overwhelmingly by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, takes effect September 1.  The new law eliminates from Texas statute the prohibition against carrying “illegal knives,”  including daggers, dirks, stilettos, poniards, swords, spears and most notably, Bowie knives. This allows them to be carried throughout the state with the exception that knives with blades over 5.5 inches are now restricted from carry in a limited number of locations.

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As we were in Washington, D.C. yesterday lobbying on our Knife Owners’ Protection Act including repeal of the Federal Switchblade Act we received the welcome news that Texas  Governor Greg Abbott signed into law Knife Rights’ bipartisan Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 1935, that repeals all “illegal knives” in Texas statute. 

We must once again express our gratitude to our House sponsors, Primary Author, Rep. Frullo, Joint Authors,

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Knife Rights’ bipartisan Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 1935, that would repeal the ban on ALL “illegal knives” in Texas statutes, has passed out of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee by a unanimous vote and is now headed to the Calendars Committee. HB 790, the other knife law reform bill that only repeals the ban on daggers, also passed out of the Committee.

Thanks to everyone who called or emailed the Committee Members.

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Knife Rights’ bipartisan Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 1935, that would repeal the ban on all “illegal knives” in Texas statutes could be voted on by the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee as early as Monday April 17th. It is important to call and email the members of the committee so that they are aware of the importance of this bill to the public.

If you live, work or travel in Texas,

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Knife Rights’ Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 1935, that would repeal the ban on all “illegal knives” in Texas statutes, has been introduced by Rep. John Frullo. HB 1935 would complete Knife Rights’ efforts to bring knife freedom to Texas by removing entirely the definition of “illegal knife” in Section 46.01(6) of the Penal Code. This includes the prohibition on double edge blades, Bowie knives and the 5.5-inch carry limit.

Louisiana SB 194, that includes Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption language and that was previously passed by the Senate, has passed out of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice by a vote of 8 – 4.

Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, was in Baton Rouge to lobby and testified in support of SB 194. Our good friend Dan Zelenka, President of the Louisiana Shooters Association,

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Louisiana SB 194, that includes Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption language, has passed out of the Senate by a vote of 28-11. It now moves to the House.

Knife Law Preemption is a Knife Rights’ criminal justice reform effort that repeals and prevents local ordinances more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state. Preemption ensures citizens can expect consistent enforcement of state knife laws everywhere within a state.

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In a victory nine years in the making, Governor Brad Little yesterday signed H0620, Knife Rights’ bill that will enact Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption in Idaho. It becomes effective on July 1st, 2024. Thanks to Governor Little for his support of our freedoms.

This represents the fourteenth state in which we have eliminated local ordinances more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state.

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Louisiana SB 194, that includes Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption language, has passed out of the Senate Committee on Judiciary C by a vote of 5-1.

Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, was in Baton Rouge to lobby and testified in support of SB 194. Our good friend Dan Zelenka, President of the Louisiana Shooters Association, also testified in support of the bill. Sponsor Senator Blake Miguez has worked hard to move this bill and we appreciate his resolve and efforts.

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Louisiana State Senator Blake Miguez has filed SB 194 that includes Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption.

Knife Rights will let you know as soon as it is appropriate to contact your Louisiana lawmakers to support SB 194.

We sincerely appreciate our good friend Dan Zelenka, President of the Louisiana Shooters Association, for his relentless efforts in helping us pursue knife law reform in Louisiana. Knife Law Preemption would complete our reform efforts in the Pelican State.

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Your emails helped make it happen! The Washington Senate just passed Knife Rights’ bill that would repeal Washington’s ban on “spring blade” (automatic) knives, SB 5860, with a bi-partisan vote of 45-3! We sincerely appreciate our good friend Senator Phil Fortunato for his efforts shepherding this bill through the Senate.

We know from speaking to our sponsor that your hundreds of emails over the course of the last month made a huge difference.

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Mississippi Senator Joseph “Mike” Seymour has introduced SB 2269, a bill that would enact Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption in the state. Co-sponsors are Senators Kevin Blackwell and Charles Younger.

Knife Law Preemption is a Knife Rights’ criminal justice reform effort that repeals and prevents local ordinances more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state. Preemption ensures citizens can expect consistent enforcement of state knife laws everywhere within a state.

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Knife Rights has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of portions of the Federal Switchblade Act (Title 15 Chapter 29 §1241), originally enacted in 1958, that restricts the introduction into interstate commerce of common automatically opening (“switchblade”) knives. It also challenges the ban on their possession on Native American reservations and in U.S. territories. The definition of a “switchblade knife” includes gravity knives and butterfly knives.

Joining Knife Rights in the case are members Russell Arnold and Jeffery Folloder and retailer members RGA Auction Services d.b.a.

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Anti-Second Amendment forces are trying to repeal Preemption in Ohio. SB 78 is a dangerous bill that if passed would repeal the entirety of Ohio’s preemption law, including Knife Law Preemption which was just enacted last year after six years of Knife Rights’ efforts. The initial Sponsor’s Hearing on the bill was held today before the Senate Veterans and Public Safety Committee. No action was taken.

Repeal of knife law preemption would leave millions of knife owners living in and traveling through Ohio vulnerable to the whims of local county,

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North Dakota Representative Claire Cory has introduced HB 1479 that would remove “switchblade or gravity knife, machete, scimitar, stiletto, sword, dagger, or knife with a blade of five inches [12.7 centimeters] or more” from the definition of a “dangerous weapon.” It would also enact Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption in the state.

Knife Law Preemption is a Knife Rights’ criminal justice reform effort that repeals and prevents local ordinances more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state.

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Mississippi Senator Joseph “Mike” Seymour has introduced SB 2383, a bill that would enact Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption in the state.

Knife Law Preemption is a Knife Rights’ criminal justice reform effort that repeals and prevents local ordinances more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state. Preemption ensures citizens can expect consistent enforcement of state knife laws everywhere within a state.

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Our repeal last year of Virginia’s ban on switchblades (automatic) knives did not include repeal of the ban on concealed carry. Our good friend Delegate Lee Ware, who sponsored the first attempt at repealing Virginia’s switchblade ban in 2017 (vetoed by Gov. McAuliffe), has introduced HB 2298 that would remove switchblades from the list of weapons that cannot be carried concealed.

Knife Rights will let you know when it is appropriate to contact your Virginia legislators to support HB 2298.

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Repeal of Pennsylvania’s ban on possession and carry of Switchblade Knives takes effect today. Manufacture and sale of automatic knives in the state is also now legal.

WARNING: Without knife law preemption in Pennsylvania, cities and towns can still prohibit automatic (and other) knives, and many do. To find local knife restrictions go to: https://kniferights.org/how-to-find-local-knife-laws/ or download Knife Rights’ LegalBlade App.

WARNING: Concealed carry of an automatic knife “…with the intent therewith unlawfully and maliciously to do injury to any other person…” remains illegal in Pennsylvania.

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Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf today signed House Bill 1929, repealing Pennsylvania’s ban on automatic knives!

The repeal is effective on January 2, 2023. Until then possession of automatic knives (except as a curio) remains illegal in Pennsylvania. We still have work to do in Pennsylvania; without knife law preemption, cities and towns can still prohibit automatic (and other) knives, and many do. Download our LegalBlade App 2.0 to find your local knife laws.

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House Bill 1929, repealing Pennsylvania’s ban on automatic knives, passed the Senate today unanimously (50-0). The bill previously passed the House 202-1. HB 1929 now moves to Governor Wolf for his action.

We will let you know when it is time to take further action.

Knife Rights has worked diligently to get HB 1929 through the Senate and onto the Senate floor for final passage since it was voted unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary Committee over a month ago.

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HB 1929, repealing Pennsylvania’s ban on automatic knives, today passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with a unanimous vote. The bill previously passed the House 202-1. It now moves to the Senate floor for second consideration.

We would especially like to thank Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Lisa Baker, with whom we worked closely, for taking up HB 1929 in her committee and advancing it to the floor of the Senate.

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Knife Rights’ Virginia Switchblade Ban Repeal Bill, SB 758, is effective July 1st, 2022. The possession, carry, sale, purchase and manufacture of automatic (switchblade) knives will be legal in the state.

NOTE: The concealed carry knife bans in Virginia, including of switchblade (automatic) knives, will still remain in effect: “If any person carries about his person, hidden from common observation, (i) any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife,

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Knife Rights’ bill to repeal Louisiana’s ban on the concealed carry of switchblades, HB 463, was signed Thursday by Governor John Edwards.

NOTE: The new law does not go into effect until August 1st. Until then, concealed carry of a switchblade (automatic) knife remains illegal in Louisiana.

In 2018 Knife Rights was able repeal Louisiana’s complete ban on switchblades,but in order to get it passed we had to compromise by including the restriction that the knife not be “intentionally concealed on one’s person.”

Last year,

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(UPDATE 6/21 with Enactment Date) This morning Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Knife Rights’ Ohio Knife Law Preemption bill, SB 156, in a ceremony attended by Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner. This bill signing is the culmination of nearly seven years of our efforts in Columbus to eliminate all of Ohio’s terrible knife laws. Gov. DeWine told Todd “that he was happy to sign the bill because it’s good for business and good for Ohio.”

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Knife Rights’ bill to repeal Louisiana’s ban on the concealed carry of switchblades, HB 463, was passed unanimously by the Senate. It  previously passed the full House with overwhelming bipartisan support, 92-2. It now heads to Governor John Edwards for his action.

Knife Rights sincerely appreciates the efforts of Dan Zelenka, President of the Louisiana Shooters Association, for his support of our legislative agenda in Louisiana.

In 2018 Knife Rights was able repeal Louisiana’s complete ban on switchblades,but in order to get it passed we had to compromise by including the restriction that the knife not be “intentionally concealed on one’s person.”

Last year,

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The Ohio House yesterday passed Knife Rights’ Ohio Knife Law Preemption bill SB 156. A clarifying technical amendment was made to the bill in committee, so it also required a concurrence vote by the Senate, which concurred late yesterday. SB156 is the culmination of six years of work in Ohio and it is now on its way to Governor Mike DeWine for action.

Use Knife Rights Legislative Action Center to ask Gov.

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In Missouri a bill to enact firearms and weapons law reforms, HB1462, has passed the Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee including further legalization regarding the possession of switchblade (automatic) knives.

When Knife Rights worked to enact SB489 in 2012, repealing Missouri’s total ban on switchblades, we had to compromise and instead of a clean repeal, it was with the proviso that switchblades were prohibited if “in violation of federal law.”

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HB 1929, a bill to repeal Pennsylvania’s ban on automatic knives, passed the House by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 202-1. Congratulations to our good friend sponsor Representative Martin Causer for his efforts that got this bill through the House with nearly unanimous bipartisan support.

Knife Rights was pleased to be able to work with Rep. Causer as part of our comprehensive plan to see important criminal justice and knife law reform enacted in Pennsylvania.

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Knife Rights’ bill to repeal Louisiana’s ban on the concealed carry of switchblades, HB 463 ,was passed by the full House with overwhelming bipartisan support, 92-2. It now moves to the Senate.

We will let you know when it is time to contact legislators in support of HB 463.

In 2018 Knife Rights was able repeal Louisiana’s complete ban on switchblades,but in order to get it passed we had to compromise by including the restriction that the knife not be “intentionally concealed on one’s person.”

Last year,

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Knife Rights’ Virginia Switchblade Ban Repeal Bill, SB 758, that passed with broad bipartisan support, has been signed into law by Governor Glenn Youngkin. We sincerely appreciate Gov. Youngkin signing this bill after nearly 5 years of effort to repeal the ban.

NOTE: Repeal does not become effective until July 1st. Until that date, possession of automatic knives remains illegal in Virginia.

NOTE: The concealed carry knife bans in Virginia,

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Pennsylvania Senator Sharif Street has introduced SB 1013, Knife Rights’ bill to repeal the Keystone State’s ban on switchblade (automatic) knives and enact Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemptionn.

This is a complimentary bill to the previously filed HB 1929 in the House. Co-sponsors at filing are Senators Maria Collett and Wayne Fontana.

Knife Rights will let you know when it is time to contact your legislators to support SB 1013 and HB 1929.

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By a vote of 55 to 36 the Ohio House passed Knife Rights’ Ohio Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 243. Passage came only hours after HB 243 passed out of the Government Oversight Committee by a vote of 8 to 4 after five hearings! The Senate previously passed their version of this bill, SB 156.

We’d like to congratulate HB 243 sponsor Rep. Al Cutrona on passage of this bill. We sincerely appreciate all the effort he’s put in getting the job done.

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed our bipartisan Michigan Knife Rights Act, HB 4066, that would have enacted Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption in the state.

Strongly supported by both parties, enactment of the Michigan Knife Rights Act would have protected millions of Michiganders from harassment by police for carrying simple tools they use every day for work. Whitmer’s veto is evidence that she does not care about needless interactions between Michigan residents and law enforcement.

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With a bipartisan vote of 66 – 38, the Michigan House voted final passage of our Michigan Knife Rights Act, HB 4066, that was passed by the Senate last week. This is Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption bill. Once the bill is enrolled, it will pass to the Governor for action.

As soon as the bill makes it over to Governor Whitmer’s office we will ask you to contact the Governor using Knife Rights’

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The Ohio Senate has passed Knife Rights’ Knife Law Preemption bill, SB 156, by a vote of 23-7. It now moves to the House where a companion bill, HB 243, is awaiting a vote by the House Government Oversight Committee, expected shortly.

SB 156 Sponsor Senator Kristina Roegner said, “Ohioans carrying knives, whether for work or self-defense, face a confusing and impossible to follow patchwork of local ordinances. Currently, what is legal to carry and possess in one town may be a serious crime to possess in another.

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Knife Rights’ Michigan Knife Rights Act, HB 4066, was passed today by the House with a bipartisan vote of 69-41. HB 4066 is Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law preemption bill. The bill will now move to the Senate.

We’d like to express our thanks to our bipartisan sponsors, Representatives Andrew Fink, John Reilly, Steve Johnson, Steve Carra, Joseph Bellino, Brad Paquette, John Damoose, Beau LaFave, Gregory Markkanen, Matthew Maddock, Luke Meerman,

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The first hearing on Knife Rights’ Ohio Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 243, was held Thursday, June 17. The Government Oversight Committee sponsor’s hearing is the first of three hearings to be held on this bill. Sponsor Representative Al Cutrona introduced the bill and answered questions from committee members. Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, had been in Ohio the week prior lobbying for this bill and its companion Senate bill,

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Knife Rights’ Michigan Knife Rights Act, HB 4066, was passed out of the House Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee by a vote of 8-5. HB 4066 is Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption bill for Michigan. The bill will now be eligible for a vote by the full House.

Knife Rights will let you know when it is time to contact your legislators to support HB 4066.

Knife Law Preemption is a Knife Rights criminal justice reform effort that nullifies existing ordinances and prevents new local ordinances more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state.

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At the SB 140 Enactment Celebration held at Rick Hinderer Knives on Tuesday, Ohio Senator Kristina Roegner, that bill’s sponsor, announced the filing of her Senate Knife Law Preemption bill, SB 156. This is a companion bill to HB 243, filed in the House by Representative Al Cutrona.

These bills follow on SB 140 because, unfortunately, without knife law preemption, numerous cities and towns in Ohio are still able to ban many knives that are perfectly legal under Ohio’s statutes.

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Today, April 12, is the enactment date for SB 140, Knife Rights’ Ohio Knife Law Reform bill. Effective today Ohio knife law is changed in the following manner:

1. The ban on manufacture and sale of “switchblade,” “spring blade” and “gravity” knives is repealed. Possession and open carry has always been legal and concealed carry was legal except for the jeopardy inherent in the extreme vagueness of Ohio’s concealed “deadly weapon”

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Ohio Representative Al Cutrona has introduced HB 243 to enact Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption in Ohio. This bill follows on Gov. DeWine’s signing of Knife Rights’ Ohio Knife Law Reform bill, SB 140, earlier this year. Those reforms become law on April 12th. Unfortunately, without knife law preemption, numerous cities and towns in Ohio are still able to ban many knives that are perfectly legal under Ohio’s statutes.

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Longtime Knife Rights friend Vermont Representative Patrick Brennan has filed H.254 to enact Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption in Vermont. The bill simply adds “knives” to the existing Vermont firearms preemption statute.

Knife Law Preemption repeals and prevents local ordinances more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state. Preemption ensures citizens can expect consistent enforcement of state knife laws everywhere in a state.

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The Michigan Knife Rights Act, HB 4066, Knife Rights’ signature knife law preemption bill, has been re-introduced. Last year the Act was passed by the House with a bipartisan vote of 71-36, but was never moved in the Senate due to the pandemic stopping most legislation from proceeding.

Sponsors include author Rep. Steven Johnson, who has previously led the effort on this bill, as well as Representatives Andrew Fink, John Reilly,

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The New Hampshire Second Amendment State Preemption Act, HB 307, has been introduced by Representatives Norman Silber, Michael Yakubovich, Barbara Comtois and Linda Gould. This bill adds teeth to the state’s existing preemption law for knives (as well as firearms and ammunition). HB 307 provides for significant penalties against those who violate the state’s preemption law in order deter infringement. We will let you know when it’s time to contact your legislators to help move this bill along.

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Long time Knife Rights friend South Carolina Representative Brian White has introduced Knife Rights’ signature knife law preemption legislation. H.3551 adds “knives” to South Carolina’s existing firearms preemption law. In 2015 this legislation passed the House unanimously, but got bogged down in the Senate over issues unrelated to the bill. We will let you know when it’s time to contact your legislators to help move this bill along.

Preemption prevents a patchwork of local ordinances more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state.

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Knife Rights’ Michigan Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 5286, the “Michigan Knife Rights Act,” was passed by the House with a bipartisan vote of 71-36. It will now move to the Senate.

Thanks to all who used Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to email their legislators.  We will let you know when it is time to again contact legislators on this bill.

Sponsor Rep. Steven Johnson said, “One of the things my constituents sent me to Lansing to do is to clear up confusion in government.

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Knife Rights’ Michigan Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 5286, the “Michigan Knife Rights Act,” was passed out of the House Judiciary Committee with a bipartisan vote of 12-1. It will now be eligible for a vote by the full House.

If you are a Michigan resident, please use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to ask House members to vote YES on HB 5286: https://kniferights.org/resources/congressweb/#/34

DO IT TODAY and help us push this bill forward!

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Despite two years of hard work by all involved and numerous trips to Olympia by Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs Todd Rathner, including a last-minute “fire drill” this week to manage proposed floor amendments to the bill, the Washington State House of Representatives again failed to vote on SB 5782, the “Spring Blade” (Switchblade) Knife Ban Repeal bill, before the March 6 cutoff for bills originating in the Senate.

Unfortunately,

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Knife Rights’ Michigan Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 5286, the “Michigan Knife Rights Act,” was heard by the House Judiciary Committee today. Knife Rights’ Director of Legislative Affairs Todd Rathner testified in support of the bill.  He was able to answer all the members’ questions.

The Democrat minority Vice-Chair, Rep. David LaGrand, related a story about a knife possession case he defended as an attorney and then stated, “this is a good bill.”

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West Virginia SB 96 that would expand the state’s firearms preemption statute to include “deadly weapons,” including knives, was passed by the House 81-17. It now heads to Governor Jim Justice for his consideration.

Preemption prevents enforcement of existing local knife ordinances, and prohibits new ordinances, more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state.

Knife Rights passed the nation’s first Knife Law Preemption bill in Arizona in 2010 and has since passed preemption bills in Alaska,

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The Washington state “Spring Blade” (Switchblade) Knife Ban Repeal bill, SB 5782, was reported out the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee by a 12-3 vote with a  “do pass” recommendation.  Next step would be a vote by the full House. We will let you know when it is time to contact House members.

Thanks to the hundreds of Washingtonians who used Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to email the committee members.

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West Virginia SB 96 that would expand the state’s firearms preemption statute to include “deadly weapons,” including knives, was passed by the House Judiciary Committee with a minor amendment that does not affect the Knife Law Preemption aspect of the bill. It now awaits a floor vote of the full House. SB 96 was previously passed by the Senate 30-2.

We will let you know when it is time to contact House Members on this bill.

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Knife Rights’ Michigan Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 5286, the “Michigan Knife Rights Act,” is scheduled for a hearing next Tuesday, March 3rd, at 9:00 AM in the House Judiciary Committee.

If you live, work or travel to Michigan please use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to ask Committee Members to vote YES on HB 5286: https://kniferights.org/resources/congressweb/#/34

DO IT TODAY and help us push this bill forward!

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The Washington “Spring Blade” Knife Ban Repeal bill, SB 5782, was heard yesterday in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee. Knife Rights’ Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, testified and answered member’s questions. It is tentatively scheduled for a vote on Friday.

If you live, work or travel to Washington state AND have not yet done so, please use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to ask Committee Members to vote YES on SB5782: https://kniferights.org/resources/congressweb/#/26

DO IT TODAY and help us push this bill over the finish line!

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The Washington “Spring Blade” Knife Ban Repeal bill, SB 5782, which passed the Senate 46-1, has been scheduled for a hearing in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

If you live, work or travel to Washington, please use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to ask Committee Members to vote YES on SB5782: https://kniferights.org/resources/congressweb/#/26

Write Today and help us push this bill over the finish line!

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The Washington “Spring Blade” Knife Ban Repeal bill, SB 5782, which passed the Senate last year and ran out of time in the House, is back! Today it once again passed in the Senate by a vote of 46-1. This is the same overwhelming bipartisan vote as last year. The bill now moves to the House.

Thanks to everyone who used Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to email Senators in support of this bill.

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West Virginia SB 96 that would expand the state’s firearms preemption statute to include “deadly weapons,” including knives, was passed by the Senate with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 30-2. It has been sent to the House.

Thanks to everyone who use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to email Senators in support of this bill.

We will let you know when it is time to contact the legislature on this bill.

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West Virginia SB 96 that would expand the state’s firearms preemption statute to include “deadly weapons,” including knives, was passed out of the Judiciary Committee with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 16-1. It now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.

Use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to send Senators an email asking them to vote YES on SB 96: https://kniferights.org/resources/congressweb/#/33

Preemption prevents enforcement of existing local knife ordinances,

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The West Virginia House companion bill that would enact Knife Law Preemption in the state, HB 4376, has been introduced by sponsor Delegate Chris Phillips with bipartisan co-sponsors Delegates Dean Jeffries, Amy Summers, Erikka Storch, Joe Jeffries, Larry Kump, Tom Fast, Randal Swartzmiller, Jason Barrett, Brent Boggs and Kayla Kessinger.

Like the Senate version, SB 96 that has passed out of its first committee hearing, HB 4376 would expand the state’s firearms preemption statute to include “deadly weapons,”

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Knife Rights supported West Virginia SB 96 that would expand the state’s firearms preemption statute to include “deadly weapons,” including knives, was passed out of the Senate Government Organization Committee by a voice vote yesterday.  It will now go to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.

Thanks to all who used Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to contact the committee members. We will let you know when it is time to contact the Judiciary Committee members.

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We have just been notified that West Virginia SB 96 that would expand the state’s firearms preemption statute to include “deadly weapons,” including knives, is scheduled for a hearing TOMORROW, Thursday, Jan. 16.

Use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to send the Senate Government Organization Committee members an email asking them to vote YES on SB 96: https://kniferights.org/resources/congressweb/#/33

Preemption prevents enforcement of existing local knife ordinances,

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West Virginia Senator Charles Trump has introduced SB 96 that would expand the state’s firearms preemption statute to include “deadly weapons.” “Knives” are included in the definition of “deadly weapons.” Knife Rights is honored to be working with Sen. Trump and our friends at West Virginia Citizens Defense League to develop and promote this bill that would add West Virginia to the growing list of states with knife law preemption.

Preemption prevents enforcement of existing local knife ordinances,

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Michigan State Representative Steven Johnson has once again introduced the Michigan Knife Rights Act, Knife Rights’ signature knife law preemption bill, HB 5286.

Preemption prevents enforcement of existing local knife ordinances, and prohibits new ordinances, more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state.

We will let you know when it is time to contact your legislators in Michigan

In 2017 Knife Rights’

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Knife Rights supported HB 446, repealing the Texas ban on carry of clubs* (including tomahawks) and possession of knuckles (including trench knives and the like), takes effect this Sunday, September 1.

NOTE: A Trench Knife, or similar, with a blade over 5.5-inches will be considered a Location Restricted Knife and is banned from carry at some specific locations.

Also taking effect Sunday is HB 3231 which strengthens the state’s preemption statute.

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Knife Rights was featured in a front page story in Sunday’s Washington Post in an article by Todd C. Frankel that was widely republished by other media outlets. The reporter was fascinated with our success as a Second Amendment organization that in almost every instance enjoys bipartisan support as we have repealed knife bans in 21 states. It is a generally favorable article from a paper not known for its love of the Second Amendment.

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On March 5, 2018, the Texas Tribune newspaper featured an article about Lori Brown, whose son Harrison was tragically murdered on the University of Texas campus last year by an individual who had previously been involuntarily committed to a mental institution, but who was inexplicably released. The murderer used a knife that at the time was prohibited from being carried. Now Brown is calling for the reinstatement of that same knife ban that didn’t prevent her son’s senseless murder.

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The companion bill to SB 372 that has passed the Virginia Senate, Delegates Dave LaRock and Mark Cole’s Knife Rights supported bill, HB 1180, that would repeal Virginia’s ban on carrying “a gun, pistol, bowie knife, dagger, or other dangerous weapon” to a “place of worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held” has been reported from the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee by a vote of 12-9.

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Senator Ben Chafin’s Knife Rights supported bill, SB 372, that would repeal Virginia’s ban on carrying “a gun, pistol, bowie knife, dagger, or other dangerous weapon” to a “place of worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held” has passed the Senate by a vote of 21 to 18.

This bill is a reaction to the Texas church shooting last year and will allow citizens to carry effective weapons for self-defense.

We will let you know when it’s time to contact your legislator again on this bill. … Continued

At the request of Knife Rights, Virginia Representative Michael Webert has introduced HB 890 that would allow the possession of switchblade knives with a CCW permit. Given the difficult political situation in Virginia at this time, this bill is not expected to move anytime soon. Filing at this time ensures the bill is in the queue, ready to go. If and when circumstances change, there will be an amendment to improve some troublesome language that was inadvertently included.

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Knife Rights’ Michigan Switchblade Ban Repeal bill, SB 245, becomes effective today, October 10, 2017. Sponsored by Senator Rick Jones, SB 245 repealed Section 226a (switchblade ban) of the Michigan penal code originally enacted in 1952. SB245 was the culmination of years of effort by Knife Rights and our friends in Michigan including Senator Mike Green, the original sponsor of the bill.

Note that double-edged blades, including those in an automatic (switchblade) knife,

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Knife Rights’ Michigan Switchblade Ban Repeal bill, SB 245, was signed today by Governor Rick Snyder.

SB 245, sponsored by Senator Rick Jones, simply repeals Section 750.226a (switchblade ban) of the Michigan penal code originally enacted in 1952. SB245 is the culmination of years of effort by Knife Rights and our friends in Michigan including Senator Mike Green, the original sponsor of the bill.

SB245 becomes effective in 90 days on October 10,

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Georgia Governor Nathan Deal today signed HB 292 that includes the language from Knife Rights’ Georgia Knife Law Reform bill, SB 49. This new law increases the legal carry length of a knife blade in the state from 5 inches to 12 inches (see Section 3 of HB 292).

The new 12-inch length limit was effective immediately upon signing. Having enacted Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption in Georgia in 2012,

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The Michigan Senate has passed Knife Rights’ Michigan Switchblade Ban Repeal bill, SB 245, by a vote of 36-1.  Congratulations to our sponsor, Sen. Rick Jones, on getting it passed in the Senate. The bill has now moved over to the House where it has been assigned to the Judiciary Committee.

If you live, work or travel in Michigan, please contact the Judiciary Committee members TODAY and politely ask them to “please vote “YES”

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The bill to partially repeal Illinois’ switchblade ban, SB 607, has passed the Senate by a unanimous vote. This bill allows possession of automatic knives by those who have a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card, which allows the individual to purchase firearms and ammunition. This is not a possession with CCW bill, as some have suggested. The bill also allows for manufacture and sale of automatic knives by those not holding a FOID card.

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An effort yesterday to override Virginia Governor McAuliffe’s veto of House Bill 1432 failed. That bill would have repealed Virginia’s switchblade ban including, for the most part, allowing concealed carry.

This was the unfortunately predictable outcome based on our assessment of the politics in the Virginia legislature. Even if the override had somehow succeeded in passing the House, despite the odds against it, the effort would certainly have failed in the Senate.

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Knife Rights’ bill to remove the ban on switchblade (automatic) knives in Minnesota, HF2567, has been introduced by Representative Joe Hoppe. The bill would remove “a switch blade knife opening automatically” from Minnesota statute 609.66(1).

Knife Rights will keep you posted on the bill’s progress and let you know when it is time to take action.

Knife Rights is rewriting knife law in America™. Knife Rights has repealed switchblade bans in Alaska,

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Knife Rights’ Vermont Knife Law Preemption bill, H 276, has been introduced by Rep. Patrick Brennan. The bill simply adds “knives” to the existing Vermont Firearms preemption statute.

Knife Law Preemption repeals and prevents local ordinances more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state. Preemption ensures citizens can expect consistent enforcement of state knife laws everywhere in a state

Knife Rights is rewriting knife law in America™.

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Knife Rights’ Michigan Switchblade Ban Repeal bill, SB 245, has been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 28, at 3 PM. SB 245 would repeal Michigan’s outright ban on possession and sale of automatic (switchblade) knives. Since the sponsor of the bill, Senator Rick Jones, is also the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, we are hopeful that the bill will pass.

However it would still be helpful if those who live,

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Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper today signed SB 17-008, the bill to repeal Colorado’s switchblade and gravity knife ban. Congratulations to sponsors Sen. Owen Hill and Rep. Steve Lebsock for their effective leadership in moving this bipartisan bill thorough the legislature with overwhelming votes in both houses. Thanks to everyone who called or emailed the Governor urging him to sign the bill.

Knife Rights was pleased to be able to assist the sponsors in moving this bill through the legislature.

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Knife Rights’ West Virginia Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 2209, sponsored by Delegate Rupert Phillips, has passed the House Political Subdivisions committee on a voice vote. HB 2209 now moves to the House Judiciary Committee for another hearing.

If you live, work or travel in West Virginia, please CALL or EMAIL the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Delegate John Scott at: (304) 340-3252 or john.shott@wvhouse.gov and politely request that he “Please schedule HB 2209 for a hearing as soon as possible.”

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