Legislative Update

The Defendants have filed their appeal briefs in our federal civil rights lawsuit against Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. and the City of New York. The Defendants once again attempt to steer the Court away from the main issue in the case, which is that no one can ever test a knife using the challenged “wrist flick test” and conclude that it is legal. This is because the Wrist Flick Test only identifies an illegal knife. … Continued... Read More

The Defendants have filed their appeal briefs in our federal civil rights lawsuit against Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. and the City of New York. The Defendants once again attempt to steer the Court away from the main issue in the case, which is that no one can ever test a knife using the challenged “wrist flick test” and conclude that it is legal. This is because the Wrist Flick Test only identifies an illegal knife. … Continued... Read More

    The devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey has affected many Knife Rights members and supporters in south Texas. Many of our members and friends throughout Texas are also involved in rescue, recovery and support operations. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who are suffering from the wrath of Hurricane Harvey and for the safety of all those working to support those impacted by this extraordinary natural disaster. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ Michigan Switchblade Ban Repeal bill, SB 245, has been sent to Governor Rick Snyder.  The governor must sign or veto the bill  within 14 days or it becomes law without his signature. If you live, work or travel in Michigan, please contact Governor Snyder and politely ask him to “please sign SB 245.”  That’s all you need to do, short and simple. SEND AN EMAIL to Gov. … Continued... Read More

The Michigan House passed Knife Rights’ Switchblade Ban Repeal bill, SB 245,  with an non-substantive amendment by a vote of 106-1. The amendment simply provides for a 90-day delay in taking effect after enactment. The bill now goes back to the Senate, where it passed 36-1, for a perfunctory concurrence vote. After that, it goes to Governor Rick Snyder. If you live, work or travel in Michigan, please contact Governor Snyder and politely ask him to “please sign SB 245.”  That’s all you need to do, … Continued... Read More

Once again, the New York Senate is playing politics with our Gravity Knife Law Reform Bill, S.4769A. There are only 4 days left in the session. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan can bring the bill to the floor for a vote as early as today if he wants to.  If you live work or travel in New York, CALL or EMAIL Leader Flanagan TODAY and politely ask him to bring S.4769A to the floor for a vote.  … Continued... Read More

Originally conceived and authored by Knife Rights in 2010 and first introduced in 2013, the Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2017 (KOPA), H.R. 84, now includes repeal of the archaic 1958 Federal Switchblade Act and has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05). KOPA will remove the irrational restrictions on interstate trade in automatic knives that are legal to one degree or another in 40 states, while also protecting the right of knife owners to travel throughout the U.S. without fear of prosecution under the myriad patchwork of state and local knife laws.... Read More

The plaintiffs’ appeal brief in our federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., has been filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in response to U.S. District Court Judge Katherine B. Forrest’s tortured 35-page decision in the case. CLICK HERE to read the Appeal Brief.  In her decision, Judge Forrest fundamentally re-characterized the case in a way that did not reflect the case presented. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ bipartisan Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 1935, to repeal “illegal knives” in Texas statute, was passed yesterday evening as the deadline approached on the Senate Local and Uncontested Calendar. Thanks to everyone who responded to our Alert and called the Lt. Governor yesterday evening. It is now off to Governor Greg Abbott for his action.  Our thanks to our Senate sponsor Sen. John Whitmire for his efforts on our behalf. … Continued... Read More

The Michigan House Judiciary Committee has passed out Knife Rights’ Michigan Switchblade Ban Repeal bill, SB 245, with a “Do Pass” recommendation.  If you live, work or travel in Michigan, please contact your Representative TODAY and politely ask them to “please vote “YES” on SB 245.”  That’s all you need to do, short and simple. SEND AN EMAIL to your Representative using Knife Rights Legislative Action Center. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ bipartisan Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 1935, to repeal “illegal knives” in Texas statute, was passed out of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee by a unanimous vote. It now goes to the floor on the Local and Uncontested Calendar. Keep your fingers crossed.  Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, has been in Austin again for another full week working to get this bill passed. HB 1935, … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ bipartisan Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 1935,to repeal “illegal knives” in Texas statute, was passed yesterday by the House 131-1. Although somewhat anticlimactic after the difficult fight to save the bill and to get it amended and through Second Reading on Monday, with the tragic stabbing at the University of Texas still fresh in everyone’s minds, it was never a foregone conclusion. The bill now moves to the Senate where we still have our work cut out for us to get this passed. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ bill to partially repeal Illinois’ switchblade ban, SB 607, was passed out of the House Judiciary – Criminal Committee unanimously with a “do pass” recommendation. The bill iis now eligible to be voted on by the full House.  It was earlier passed unanimously by the Senate. Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter gave testimony at the hearing. Thanks to the 240 of you who took the time to submit a Witness Slip in support of the bill. … Continued... Read More