Legislative Update

Despite passage with bipartisan support, Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam vetoed Knife Rights’ Virginia Switchblade Commerce bill, SB1251. Signing this bill would have brought in millions of dollars in commerce, significant numbers of new jobs and revenue gains to one of the most economically disadvantaged areas of the state. His veto message displays a regrettable view of switchblades still rooted in the myths and social attitudes of the 1950’s. … Continued... Read More

The Montana Senate voted unanimously to pass Knife Rights’ Montana Switchblade Ban Repeal and Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 155. HB 155 was earlier passed by the House 99-1. It now goes to Governor Steve Bullock for his consideration. Bill sponsor Rep. Casey Knudsen worked closely with Knife Rights’ Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, on HB155, and deserves our gratitude for his significant efforts which resulted in the bill’s passage with but a single nay vote. … Continued... Read More

The Washington “Spring Blade” Ban Repeal bill, SB 5782, was passed by the Senate 46-1. SB 5782 would repeal the ban on sales and civilian possession of “spring blade” knives, as well as specifically exclude them from the definition of “dangerous weapon.” The bill now moves to the House for consideration. The unanimous “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Committee on Law & Justice paved the way for the bill’s overwhelming passage. … Continued... Read More

The U.S. Supreme Court has directed New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. to respond to plaintiffs’ petition for Writ of Certiorari in Knife Rights’ nearly eight-year-old civil rights lawsuit over New York City’s persecution of pocket knife owners. The City and DA had waived their response, but at least one Justice has indicated a desire to hear from the Respondents before the petition is considered by the full court at a conference of the Justices. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ Virginia Switchblade Commerce bill, SB1251, has passed the Virginia General Assembly with a bipartisan House vote of 57-42 and by a bipartisan concurrence vote in the Senate of 25-15. The bill was amended in committee, but the changes do not impact the effect of the bill. The bill now moves to the Governor for action. Knife Rights will let you know when it is appropriate to engage the Governor to support SB 1251. … Continued... Read More

The Washington “Spring Blade” Ban Repeal bill, SB 5782, was voted out of the Senate Committee on Law & Justice by a unanimous vote.  SB 5782 would repeal the ban on sales and civilian possession of “spring blade” knives, as well as specifically exclude them from the definition of “dangerous weapon.” Thanks to all of you who emailed the members of the Committee in support of this bill. Your contacts make a difference! … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs Todd Rathner was in Olympia, Washington this week to testify on SB 5782 before the Senate Committee on Law & Justice. It would repeal the ban on sales and civilian possession of “spring blade” knives, as well as specifically exclude them from the definition of “dangerous weapon.” Also testifying were Knife Rights’ friends Mike Vellekamp of V Nives, Spencer Frazer from SOG Knives and Jeffery Swanson from Blade Gallery, … Continued... Read More

Three amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs have been filed in support of plaintiffs’ petition for Writ of Certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States in Knife Rights’ nearly eight-year-old civil rights lawsuit over New York City’s persecution of pocket knife owners Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, “we are thrilled to have three really strong amicus briefs from a diverse group of parties supporting our effort to get the U.S. … Continued... Read More

Longtime Knife Rights friend Vermont Representative Patrick Brennan has filed a Knife Law Preemption bill, H.49. The bill would simply add “knives” to the existing Vermont firearms preemption statute. Rep. Brennan along with Rep. Seth Chase have also introduced H.124, which would repeal Vermont’s ban on switchblade knives with a blade length 3 inches or more.    Switchblades with a blade 3 inches or more in length are the only knives outlawed in Vermont.  … Continued... Read More

At the request of Knife Rights, Mississippi Representative Gary Staples has introduced HB 950 to remove “Bowie knife, dirk knife, butcher knife and switchblade knife” from the deadly weapons statutes in Mississippi. It is time for Mississippi to join the majority of other Southern states and allow their residents to carry the knife of their choice. Knife Rights will let you know when it is appropriate to engage your legislators to support SB 950. … Continued... Read More

SB 1024, which 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,” passed the Virginia Senate by a vote of 21-19. It now moves to the House. If enacted, this bill would clearly allow carry of any Virginia legal knife in a place of worship. Knife Rights will let you know when it is appropriate to engage your legislators to support SB 1024. … Continued... Read More

Led by the efforts of 2012 Knife Rights Freedom’s Point Award winner Mike Vellekamp of V Nives, a bipartisan “Spring Blade” Ban Repeal bill, SB 5782, has been introduced by Washington State Senator Hans Zeiger. It would repeal the ban on sales and civilian possession of “spring blade” knives, as well as specifically exclude them from the definition of “dangerous weapon.”  The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Fortunato, Takko, Padden, and Palumbo. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ Montana Switchblade Ban Repeal and Knife Law Preemption Bill, HB 155 sponsored by Rep. Casey Knudsen, has passed the Montana House by a nearly unanimous vote of 99 – 1. This effort follows up on 2017’s repeal of the prohibition against concealed carry without a CCW of “a knife with blade 4 or more inches in length” as well as removing Dirks, Daggers, Sword Canes, razors, “billy” and “knuckles” … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ Virginia Switchblade Commerce bill, SB1251, has been passed by the full Senate  by a bipartisan vote of 25-15. If enacted, SB1251 would allow a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer to possess or sell switchblade knives, and parts thereof, so long as they are sold or exported outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia. SB1251 now moves to the House. Enactment of SB1251 would create jobs and provide a much needed revenue boost to the commonwealth. … Continued... Read More

Plaintiffs’ petition for Writ of Certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States in Knife Rights’ nearly eight-year-old civil rights lawsuit over New York City’s persecution of pocket knife owners was filed today. The petition requests that the Supreme Court review the Second Circuit’s decision against our plaintiffs in this case. Click here to read the petition. Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, “It is unfortunate that we are forced to appeal to the Supreme Court in order to gain justice for knife owners in, … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ Virginia Switchblade Commerce bill, SB1251, has been reported out of the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice by a bipartisan vote of 9-4. If enacted, SB1251 would allow a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer to possess or sell switchblade knives, and parts thereof, so long as they are sold or exported outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia. SB1251 now is up for a vote in the full Senate. Enactment of SB1251 would create jobs and provide a much needed revenue boost to the commonwealth. … Continued... Read More

At the request of Knife Rights, Montana State Representative Casey Knudsen has introduced HB 155 which would repeal the state’s switchblade ban and enact Knife Law Preemption. This effort follows up on 2017’s repeal of the prohibition against concealed carry without a CCW of “a knife with blade 4 or more inches in length” as well as removing Dirks, Daggers, Sword Canes, razors, “billy” and “knuckles” from the items prohibited from concealed carry. … Continued... Read More

Originally conceived and authored by Knife Rights in 2010 and first introduced in 2013, the Knife Owners’ Protection Act of 2019, H.R. 88, (“KOPA”) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on the first day of Congress by Arizona Representative Andy Biggs. KOPA will remove the irrational restrictions on interstate trade in automatic knives that are legal to one degree or another in 44 states, while also protecting the right of knife owners to travel throughout the U.S. … Continued... Read More

In response to the multiple instances of attacks in churches and other places of worship, Senator Richard Black has introduced SB 1024 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.” If enacted, this bill would clearly allow carry of any Virginia legal knife in a place of worship. … Continued... Read More

At the request of Knife Rights, Virginia State Senator Bryce Reeves introduced SB1251 which, if enacted, would allow a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer to possess or sell switchblade knives, and parts thereof, so long as they are sold or exported outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Enactment of SB1251 would create jobs and provide a much needed revenue boost to the commonwealth. … Continued... Read More

If you or your business was prevented from using Google AdWords/AdSense because you violated Goggle’s “dangerous products or services policy” by selling knives or knife parts (or guns, gun parts, etc), you are being invited to join a class action lawsuit that is now pending in federal court in California. You or your business does not need to be based in California, it can be located anywhere in the United States. … Continued... Read More