Knife Rights has launched a federal Second Amendment challenge to overturn New Jersey’s insane and morally indefensible laws banning self-defense with knives, as well as all other non-firearm weapons such as pepper spray, stun guns, billys, knuckles, blackjacks and hundreds of other common every-day objects that might be used as improvised weapons. This includes baseball bats, golf clubs, hammers and screwdrivers, as but a few examples, all of which New Jersey criminalizes when carried in anticipation of possible self-defense.
Yes, you read that right. Under New Jersey law you can carry a fixed blade knife for work, but if carried because you are concerned that you might need it for self-defense, you have just committed a felony-level offense that carries a real prison term. The same is true for all those hundreds of other non-firearm tools—including everyday household objects. Our new lawsuit aims to put an end to this madness.
Moreover, New Jersey outright bans gravity knives, switchblade knives, daggers, dirks and stilettos. This lawsuit also seeks to overturn these bans.
Read the Complaint for full details.
Knife Rights has partnered with the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (“ANJRPC”–New Jersey’s official state rifle and pistol association) in this case, along with several individual plaintiffs.
Knife Rights founder and Chairman Doug Ritter said, “The insanity of New Jersey’s laws banning knives and other non-firearm weapons for self-defense cannot stand in the post-Bruen era. Knife Rights is pleased to be a part of this important case which aims to finally set things right in New Jersey for knife owners and many others.”
Ritter continued, “It is difficult to imagine a more morally corrupt policy than essentially stripping potential victims of the ability to defend oneself if attacked, in essence providing criminals unlimited permission to maim or kill.”
“No one should face illegal weapons charges for carrying something to protect their own life,” said ANJRPC President Kathy Chatterton. “New Jersey treats the means of self-defense as the crime itself. This is a law that enables criminals and disables victims. Its time has run out.”
This brings the number of federal Second Amendment lawsuits challenging knife bans that Knife Rights is pursuing to four. Please support this new lawsuit with a donation to the Knife Rights Foundation.
Since 2010 Knife Rights’ efforts have resulted in 58 bills & court decisions repealing knife bans & protecting knife owners in 36 states and over 200 cities and towns! Knife Rights is America’s grassroots knife owners’ organization; leading the fight to Rewrite Knife Law in America™ and forging a Sharper Future for all Americans™.