Legislative Update

Amicus (Friend of the Court) briefs supporting Knife Rights’ Fifth Circuit appeal of the ludicrous District Court decision in our lawsuit challenging the Federal Switchblade Act on Second Amendment ground have now been filed. These briefs are similar in nature to those filed the week prior in our Ninth Circuit appeal challenging California’s ban on switchblade (automatic) knives with a blade 2-inches and greater. Knife Rights really is the Second Front in the Defense of the Second Amendment™. … Continued... Read More

At the request of the Ninth Circuit, amicus (Friend of the Court) briefs have now been filed in Knife Rights’ appeal of the absurd District Court decision in our lawsuit challenging California’s ban on switchblade (automatic) knives with a blade 2-inches and greater on Second Amendment grounds The issues the Court requested guidance on in the post-Bruen era are: a. Does a Court assess whether a weapon is “dangerous and unusual” under Bruen’s “step one… threshold inquiry” or “step two” historical inquiry? … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights and its fellow appellants have filed their Appeal Brief in our Federal Second Amendment lawsuit against the Federal Switchblade Act. Download the Opening Brief Download the Full Excerpts (159MB) The essence of the case is that the Supreme Court has made clear that the “Second Amendment extends, prima facie, to all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in existence at the time of the founding.” … Continued... Read More

In Knife Rights appeal of the absurd District Court decision in our lawsuit challenging California’s ban on switchblade (automatic) knives with a blade 2-inches and greater on Second Amendment grounds, the Ninth Circuit has issued an order requesting amicus briefs. The profile of this case has risen significantly with this order and proves that Knife Rights is the Second Front in Defense of the Second Amendment!™ The issues the Court is requesting guidance on in the post-Bruen era are: a. … Continued... Read More

At the request of Knife Rights, Arizona State Representative Quang Nguyen, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has issued a letter to the City of Tempe, Arizona, informing them that their 2024 ordinance banning the possession of “brass knuckles” by adults in certain public places likely violates state statute and the Arizona Constitution. Knife Rights’ first in the nation knife law preemption statute, ARS 13-3120, is crystal clear; … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights applauds President Trump’s Executive Order Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans. For many years banks have discriminated against knifemakers and manufacturers. This executive order may go a long way towards preventing future de-banking efforts against our community. I urge you to read the whole EO to understand its full scope. The EO mentions Operation Choke Point “by which Federal regulators pushed banks to minimize their involvement with individuals and companies engaged in lawful activities and industries disfavored by regulators based on factors other than individualized, … Continued... Read More

In Delaware, Knife Rights supported bipartisan SB 108 was signed by Governor Matt Meyer. This bill removed the restrictions on sale or possession of automatic (switchblade) knives in the First State. It also amends the “Deadly Weapons” exemption for “ordinary pocketknife” by deleting “folding” in order to cover all types of knives, and increases the length from 3 inches to 3.75 inches. The new law is effective immediately. While the “Deadly Weapon” … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights and its fellow plaintiffs have filed a Notice of Appeal in our Federal Second Amendment lawsuit against the Federal Switchblade Act. Knife Rights Founder and Chairman Doug Ritter said, “this is the first procedural step needed to get the appeal going at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. We remain optimistic that a three-judge panel will reverse the utterly irrational District Court ruling in our case.” A recent development in another Fifth Circuit case may prove helpful to our appeal. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ Vermont Switchblade Ban Repeal bill that was incorporated into the “Court Procedure; Criminal Procedure; Miscellaneous Amendments” bill, S.109, has been signed by Governor Phil Scott. The effective date of the repeal is July 2, 2025. The bill removes “switchblade knives” from the existing statute that bans a “switchblade knife, the blade of which is three inches or more in length” (§4013). S.109 also requires that “the Court” … Continued... Read More

As we previously noted, we were disappointed in Attorney General Pam Bondi’s final brief opposing our Federal Second Amendment lawsuit against the Federal Switchblade Act. I imagine that the DOJ and AG Bondi were celebrating the court’s decision in the case since the court seemed to lose sight of the Bruen decision and ignored its commands from the Supreme Court. Another court, another absurd stretch to avoid ruling in favor of the Second Amendment. … Continued... Read More

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Knife Rights supported SB1360 which adds “Knives, saps, and other bladed or blunt-impact defensive weapons“ to Tennessee’s existing statute that protects firearms manufacturers from liability caused by the actions of third parties. The bill also covers those who distribute, sell, or transfer the “qualified product” including knives. SB 1360 also provides additional protections over the existing statue. The new law takes effect July 1, 2025. This is third bill Knife Rights has has supported in Tennessee to improve knife laws for residents and travelers. … Continued... Read More

The North Carolina House passed HB 439, our Concealed Knife Carry bill, with a bipartisan vote of 71-37. The bill now moves to the Senate. This bill would clarify the state’s previously vague statute so that a folding knife that is not a switchblade may be carried concealed by anyone, including those under age 18. It would also allow adults who are not prohibited persons to carry concealed a “bowie [SIC] knife, … Continued... Read More

With the Washington legislature ending its session April 27th, Knife Rights scored a win against a draconian knife ban bill! SB 5098, which started life as a sweeping gun ban, soon morphed into a radical ban on possession of “any knife” on over 6.5 million acres of public land in Washington, including parks and such. In the end, the bill wasn’t passed out of the House before the session ended, but the bill looked for all intents and purposes as if it would steamroll its way to the governor. … Continued... Read More