Legislative Update

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. … Continued... Read More

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, … Continued... Read More

An Illinois bill to repeal the Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Card Act, HB 4067, has been introduced by Representative John Cabello and gained 15 co-sponsors. When we got the state’s total switchblade ban repealed in 2017, we had to compromise to require a FOID card in order to possess an automatic knife. At a cost of $10 (good for 10 years), it is a relatively minor hurdle. Unless you are a prohibited person with regards to firearms possession, … Continued... Read More

A Mississippi bill to remove the ban on carrying a “bowie knife, dirk knife, butcher knife, (and) switchblade knife” concealed, House Bill 451, has been introduced by Representative Henry Zuber. We will let you know when it is time to contact the legislature on this bill. … Continued... Read More

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,” … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

The Washington “Spring Blade” Knife Ban Repeal bill, SB 5782, that didn’t receive a House floor vote last year as time ran out after passing the Senate and its House committee, has been “reintroduced and retained in present status.” What this means is that a Senator can now pull the bill to the Senate floor for a vote, where it passed 46-1 last year. There would be no committee hearing. … Continued... Read More

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, … Continued... Read More

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, … Continued... Read More

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’ … Continued... Read More

The Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee held a “proponent” hearing last Thursday on Senate Bill 140, Knife Rights’ Ohio Knife Law Reform bill. Todd Rathner, Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, testified in support of the bill. Senate Bill 140, which passed the Senate 32-1, will change Ohio knife law by making two separate substantive changes: 1. Repealing the ban on manufacture and sale of “switchblade,” “spring blade” … Continued... Read More

Meanwhile, DA Vance’s efforts to abuse to his benefit a foundational principle of jurisprudence and roll back the clock to continue to victimize knife owners was halted for the moment by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. They denied his motion to vacate, on the ground of mootness, a District Court decision declaring the “wrist flick” test unconstitutional, forcing him to an appeal on the merits which will be heard along with his mootness arguments. … Continued... Read More

(Updated Nov. 23, 2019) Last week, Michael Bloomberg, former Republican mayor of New York City, now a declared Democratic presidential candidate, apologized for the unconstitutional “stop and frisk” policy in New York City whose inception he supported and then had enforced by his police department. For knife owners, especially the tens of thousands who were targeted by his police department, the apology rings hollow. While he thinks now that he “got something important really wrong” … Continued... Read More

As efforts to enact more restrictive and confiscatory gun control laws have accelerated recently, many knife owners feel like they are being thrown under the bus by one argument presented by pro-Second Amendment supporters. Recent headlines make the point that the latest FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program report (ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2018) shows a continuing trend of more people murdered with knives than with rifles (five times as many), even as gun-related murders decrease overall. … Continued... Read More

Resurrecting an inane proposal from some daft British academics made in 2005, the Church of England has demanded a ban on the sale of pointed kitchen knives, saying there is no reason for them in the modern world. As reported widely, in a letter to ministers backed by equally irrational doctors, psychiatrists, police, victims and a judge, Church of England bishops say redesigning domestic kitchen knives to give them rounded ends would combat so-called “knife crime” … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

While we were successful in repealing New York’s Gravity Knife Ban in an effort to solve the problems with New York City’s unconstitutional enforcement scheme against possessors of  common folding knives, we were unable to stop another irrational knife ban from being put in place. Governor Cuomo has signed S4202, a ban on manufacturing, shipment or possession of “undetectable” knives. (NOTE: The bill passed with partisan majorities after five prior attempts where it passed the Assembly twice, … Continued... Read More

New York District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., is up to his old tricks again, still trying to victimize law abiding knife owners. The contemptible DA is attempting to vacate the Federal District Court decision that ruled the “wrist flick test,” used by NYPD and prosecutors to determine if a knife is a gravity knife, was unconstitutional under some circumstances. His outrageous motion is a blatantly self-serving and highly inappropriate effort to abuse a foundational principle of jurisprudence to his benefit. … Continued... Read More

L-R: Doug Ritter, Logan Simmons and Alan Romania – Logan holding the knife he used to save the child. (Click for high resolution of photo above.  Click remaining photos and links for higher resolution images – Photo Credits: Dirk Loots)    On July 24, 2019 in the Flowery Branch, Georgia, Chick-Fil-A where on June 25th nineteen-year-old Logan Simmons saved a six-year-old child choking in his seatbelt, … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights founder and Chairman Doug Ritter was recently a guest on the Knife Perspective podcast. Hosts Dan Eastland of Dogwood Custom Knives and Kyle Daily of KH Daily Knives tossed a lot of questions Doug’s way and the result is a lively review of Knife Rights’ unparalleled accomplishments,how we got there and how we intend to continue the fight.  Click for the podcasts’s page on Knife Perspective with notes and links. … Continued... Read More

The Ohio legislature finally got a budget done, but in the process our amendment with the language from Knife Rights’ Knife Law Reform bill was deleted. That would be a lot more of a concern if the Senate hadn’t already passed SB 140 by an overwhelming bipartisan majority.  It’s already been sent over to the House and awaits action once the summer recess is over. SB 140 addresses the often abusive and discriminatory application of the existing Ohio weapons law against knife carriers, … Continued... Read More

On Tuesday afternoon, June 25, Logan Simmons (age 19), who works in a Chick-Fil-A branch in Flowery Branch, Georgia, spotted a six-year-old child choking in his seatbelt in a nearby car and immediately rushed to help. Climbing through the drive-in window, Simmons pulled out his pocketknife and cut the boy free, saving his life. “You could see he was turning red and losing pigmentation in his face,” he told WSB-TV. A huge “WELL DONE” … Continued... Read More

Admittedly this gets a bit confusing, but bear with us here, it is all good… As noted previously, the key language in Knife Rights’ Ohio knife law reform bill, SB 140, was included in the Senate’s amendment to the State Budget, which passed the Senate last week and which is currently in a Senate/House Conference Committee. If it is retained in the final budget bill, then it would go to the governor as part of the budget. … Continued... Read More

After receiving numerous inquires about the changes in New York law as a result of the enactment of A5944 repealing the state’s gravity knife ban, a few comments, cautions and further clarification on one point of law: Yes, there are numerous places where you can purchase antique true gravity knives, German paratrooper knives, and similar gravity knives. And, yes, true gravity knives are now being developed and produced. As an example, … Continued... Read More

The Supreme Court of the United States denied Plaintiff’s petition for a Writ of Certiorari, ending eight years of Knife Rights’ federal civil rights litigation against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. The Court’s denial would be more disappointing had the strong possibility of being granted Cert not been a major factor pushing Governor Cuomo to sign A5944 just a couple weeks ago, repealing the state’s gravity knife ban. … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

Michigan State Representative Steven Johnson has once again introduced a bill to remove from Michigan statute all the knives prohibited from concealed carry, HB 4722.  Rep. Johnson previously introduced an identical bill last year. Reps. Beau LaFave and Matt Hall are co-sponsors. We will let you know when it is time to contact your legislators in Michigan. HB 4722 would remove Sec. 227. (1) entirely from Michigan’s penal code: “A person shall not carry a dagger, … Continued... Read More

Nine years of hard work and effort, including eight years of costly Federal litigation and the threat of losing big time at the U.S. Supreme Court (see below), has finally convinced New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign  A5944, repealing the state’s bans on Gravity Knives. Cuomo previously vetoed two similar bills which Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, also worked on tirelessly in Albany. Although the bill leaves the definition of a gravity knife intact, … Continued... Read More

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’ … Continued... Read More

In response to New York City’s and District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s opposition briefs filed last week, Plaintiffs submitted their Reply Brief today.  CLICK HERE to read the Reply Brief. The Reply Brief points out to the Court that the City and DA take the same approach in their opposition briefs that they have taken through this lawsuit. They ignore the substance of the case and instead employ misdirection to distract from review of the actual issues. … Continued... Read More

Pennsylvania House Bill 1412 is a constitutional (permitless) carry bill that includes repeal of the state’s ban on switchblade knives. It would remove from Section 2. Section 908(c) of Title 18 Prohibited offensive weapons, “dagger, knife,razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or otherwise.” HB 1412 is sponsered by Representatives Aaron Bernstine, Francis Ryan, Greg Rothman, Russ Diamond, George Dunbar, … Continued... Read More

In conformity with the U.S. Supreme Court’s direction that they respond to Plaintiff’s Petition for Writ of Certiorari in our long-running Gravity Knife case, New York City and DA Cyrus Vance, Jr. filed opposition briefs Monday, May 13. Both briefs continue the Defendants’ campaign of misdirection and obfuscation. They repeatedly mischaracterize the nature of the claim and draw upon irrelevancies to raise alleged defects in the petition that are not there. … Continued... Read More

Is the third time the charm? The New York State Senate has unanimously passed A5944, in a floor vote that substituted the already unanimously passed companion Assembly bill for S4863. These Gravity Knife Ban Repeal bills were sponsored by our longtime allies Assemblyman Dan Quart and Senator Diane Savino. This is yet another “stab” by our friends in the NY legislature  to address the bogus arrests and prosecutions on unconstitutionally vague Gravity Knife charges of knife owners carrying common folding knives in New York City. … Continued... Read More

After a number of years working with our good friend Ohio State Senator Joe Uecker, SB 140 has been introduced that would reform Ohio knife law. SB 140 repeals Sec. 2923.20(A)(6), the state’s ban on the manufacture and sale to civilians of switchblade knives, springblade knives and gravity knives, as well as  brass knuckles, cestus, billy, blackjack, sandbag or any similar weapon In addition, SB 140 creates an exception to Sec. … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

The Washington “Spring Blade” Ban Repeal bill, SB 5782, was up against the clock yesterday and the House failed to take it up for a vote before time ran out. The Washington legislature was tied up with a number of major issues as the deadline for action approached and our bill was one of many that simply wasn’t acted upon in time. The good news is that the Washington legislature works on a two-year session and SB 5782 is still alive. … Continued... Read More

Tuesday afternoon in Helena, Montana Governor Steve Bullock held a signing ceremony for Knife Rights’ Montana Switchblade Ban Repeal and Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 155. Knife Rights Board member Ethan Becker attended representing Knife Rights. Ethan presented the Governor his first ever automatic knife, a specially inscribed Protech SBR, as an award in recognition of his signing of the bill. We’d like to acknowledge our good friend Dave Wattenberg, … Continued... Read More

Montana Governor Steve Bullock has signed Knife Rights’ Montana Switchblade Ban Repeal and Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 155.  It is effective IMMEDIATELY! We sincerely thank Governor Bullock for signing HB155. With the repeal of the state’s prior restriction on switchblades, automatic knives are now completely legal in Montana. Montana is the 16th state to repeal its ban on switchblade (automatic) knives since Knife Rights started in 2010. With Knife Law Preemption enacted, … Continued... Read More

As we previously reported, New York City’s abuse of the state gravity knife ban to unconstitutionally arrest tens of thousands of innocent knife owners took a hit in a Federal District Court ruling last week when Judge Paul A. Crotty issued a narrow ruling finding the state’s gravity knife law to be unconstitutionally void for vagueness as applied to the plaintiff’s circumstances. At the time we posted this WARNING which we reiterate here: At this time, … Continued... Read More

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

Knife Rights is going forward with an appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States of the Second Circuit’s decision in favor of New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. in our long running civil rights lawsuit over their persecution of pocket knife owners. While our lawsuit against New York City and DA Vance centers on their abusive enforcement of New York State’s gravity knife ban against owners of common pocket knives, … Continued... Read More

As previously reported, New York State’s highest court, in a ruling that caught us and others by complete surprise, upheld the conviction of a person who possessed an assisted-opening knife as being an illegal switchblade. Knife Rights submitted a motion for reargument based on ineffective counsel, but it was denied. Owners of assisted-opening knives in New York State are now put in legal jeopardy. Based on reports from a number of defense attorneys, … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has rejected Plaintiff-Appellants’ petition for a rehearing by the full Court known as “en banc.” Despite conflict with four well-establish U.S. Supreme Court and Second Circuit precedents, the full court will not reconsider the badly flawed three-judge panel’s decision in favor of New York City and DA Cyrus Vance Jr. in Knife Rights’ long-running federal civil rights case. At issue is the City’s policy of treating any locking blade folding knife that can be “wrist flicked” … Continued... Read More

August 1st is Switchblade Freedom Day in Louisiana when Knife Rights’ Switchblade Ban Repeal bill, HB 892, goes into effect. HB 892 repealed the total ban on switchblade knives in Louisiana and allows for the possession of a switchblade knife provided it is not “intentionally concealed on one’s person.” That provision was necessary to gain the neutrality of the Sheriffs and the State Police. Manufacture and sale of automatic knives are also now legal. … Continued... Read More

Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) has introduced S.3264, the Knife Owners’ Protection Act of 2018 (KOPA) including repeal of the Federal Switchblade Act. This is a companion to the House KOPA bill, H.R.84, introduced last year. Originally conceived and authored by Knife Rights in 2010 and first introduced in 2013, KOPA will remove the irrational restrictions on interstate trade in automatic knives that are legal to one degree or another in 44 states, … Continued... Read More

Legal Aid Society has filed an Amicus Curiae (friend of the court) brief in support of Knife Rights’ petition for a rehearing en banc (by the full court), in Knife Rights’ long-running federal civil rights case against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. At issue is the City’s and DA’s policy of treating any locking blade folding knife that can be “wrist flicked” open as a prohibited gravity knife. … Continued... Read More

In response to the unfortunate decision last month by New York’s highest court which upheld the conviction of a defendant for having an illegal switchblade, when in fact he had an assisted opening knife, a Motion for Reargument and an Amicus Curiae Brief were both filed Monday. The motion for reargument notes that the defendant’s pro bono attorneys provided ineffective counsel, at least in part due to their own ignorance of the differences between an assisted opening (spring assisted) knife and a switchblade. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights has filed its petition for a rehearing by the full Court, known as “en banc,” after a three judge panel of The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled in favor of New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. in Knife Rights’ long-running federal civil rights case. At issue is the City’s policy of treating any locking blade folding knife that can be “wrist flicked” … Continued... Read More

The Senate Commerce Committee today reported problematic S.1092, the Interstate Transport Act of 2018, out of committee. Sponsored by Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), S.1092 attempts to protect knife owners traveling interstate with knives. This bill is a weaker and problematic version of Knife Rights’ Knife Owners’ Protection Act (KOPA). S.1092 would theoretically provide safe harbor to someone traveling with knives where it is lawful for the knives to be possessed at both the points of origin and destination, … Continued... Read More

On Friday, June 23rd, a three judge panel of The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled in favor of New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. in Knife Rights’ long-running federal civil rights case challenging the City’s policy of treating any locking blade folding knife that can be “flicked” open as a prohibited gravity knife. Knife Rights intends to petition for review of this erroneous decision by the full Court — … Continued... Read More

As if New York wasn’t already a confusing legal and regulatory nightmare for honest, law-abiding knife owners, the highest court in the state just upheld, in a one paragraph opinion, the conviction of a 36-year-old mail-room worker with no priors in possession of an assisted opening (spring-assisted) folding knife that he used in his work under the theory that it was an illegal switchblade knife under New York law. The decision was overwhelming, … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ bill to repeal Louisiana’s antiquated ban on the possession of switchblade knives, HB 892, was signed today by Governor Edwards! Switchblade Freedom Day in Louisiana will be August 1, 2018, when the new law goes into effect. We’d like to acknowledge Representative Mark Wright for his sponsorship and leadership and Senator Bodi White for shepherding the bill through the Senate. Thanks to all of you who called and emailed your legislators and Governor Edwards to ask them to support the bill. … Continued... Read More

Colorado Springs recently repealed their local ban on switchblades and gravity knives. Click here to read the ordinance that was passed. Knife Rights would like to congratulate our good friend Air Force Master Sgt. (Ret) John Bloodgood for this notable accomplishment. When Knife Rights was able to help repeal Colorado’s ban on switchblades and gravity knives last year, that bill did not include preemption which would have nullified all local bans. … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

Louisiana Representative Mark Wright has introduced HB 200, Knife Rights’ bill to repeal R.S. 14:95(A)(4) which outlaws “the manufacture, ownership, possession, custody or use of any switchblade knife, spring knife or other knife or similar instrument having a blade which may be automatically unfolded or extended from a handle by the manipulation of a button, switch, latch or similar contrivance.” HB 200 also repeals the exception provided for so-called “rescue knives” which becomes redundant with repeal of the switchblade ban. … Continued... Read More

VICE News Tonight on HBO reports on Knife Rights, focusing on its fight against New York City’s abuse of the state gravity knife law to arrest and prosecute thousands of people for carrying a common folding knife. (Note: Knife Rights’ lawsuit against NYC & DA Vance began back in 2011. There are a few other unfortunate technical errors in the video, but by and large it is a positive video about our efforts) I would especially like to thank Brady Miller of Monkey Edge and Journeyman Bladesmith Mike Tyre of Mike Tyre Custom Knives. … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

On the heels of last year’s enactment of Knife Rights’ switchblade ban repeal in Michigan, Representative Steven Johnson has introduced HB 5512 to removed all the knives prohibited from concealed carry in Michigan statute. Sec. 227. (1) would be removed entirely from Michigan’s penal code: “A person shall not carry a dagger, dirk, stiletto, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of any length, or any other dangerous weapon, except a hunting knife adapted and carried as such, … Continued... Read More

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). … Continued... Read More

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... Read More

Oral Argument in the second appeal in our long-running Federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. was held yesterday. The three-judge panel included two judges who sat on the first appeal which we won unanimously. All three judges asked questions indicating they understood the case, which is always a good place from which to start. Plaintiffs’ attorney, Daniel Schmutter with Hartman & Winnicki, P.C., … Continued... Read More

Mississippi Representative Gary Staples has introduced HB 924, Knife Rights’ bill to to remove “Bowie knife, dirk knife, butcher knife and switchblade knife” from the deadly weapons statutes in Mississippi. We will be working with the sponsor and the committee chair to further improve the bill to the advantage of Mississippi knife owners as it moves through the legislative process. As soon as it is appropriate, we’ll let you know to contact your legislators … Continued... Read More

In Washington, HB 2600, a Knife Rights supported bill to allow concealed carry of “a fixed blade knife having a blade of six inches or less in length,” has been introduced by lead sponsor Representative Morgan Irwin with bipartisan cosponors. Knife Rights is monitoring this bill and will let you know of any progress and when it’s time to contact your legislators. … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

Ohio State Senator Frank LaRose today introduced, Senate Bill 242, Knife Rights’ bill to repeal Ohio’s irrational ban on the manufacture and sale of “switchblade, springblade, and gravity knives.” Ohio statutes allow for the possession and carry of these knives, but they cannot be manufactured or sold in the state. Ohio loses out on jobs and tax revenue as Ohioans spend their money outside the state’s borders. Co-sponsors include Senate President Larry Obhof and Senators Joe Uecker, … Continued... Read More

Oral Argument has been scheduled for January 18, 2018, in our long-running Federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., which is currently under appeal. Oral Argument before a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is the last step before a ruling in the appeal of U.S. District Court Judge Katherine B. Forrest’s tortured decision against the plaintiffs. … Continued... Read More

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has AGAIN vetoed Knife Rights’ Gravity Knife Reform Bill, once again effectively giving the finger to New York’s legislature that overwhelmingly passed the bill that specifically addressed Cuomo’s concerns with last year’s bill. The bill passed in the Assembly 128-1 and in the senate 61-1. Despite valiant last-minute efforts by bill sponsor Assemblyman Dan Quart to come up with a workable compromise, the Governor simply would not sign a clean bill. … Continued... Read More

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, … Continued... Read More

The Plaintiffs have filed their reply brief in our federal civil rights lawsuit against Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. and the City of New York. The reply brief is Plaintiffs’ response to the outrageously misleading briefs submitted by the Defendants. While they once again attempted 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” … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ bill to mostly repeal Illinois’ switchblade ban, SB 607, was signed late on Friday by Governor Bruce Rauner. It was effectively immediately upon signing. SB 607 allows possession, including carry, both open and concealed, 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 law, as some have suggested. … Continued... Read More

Colorado’s switchblade and gravity knife ban repeal takes effect on Wednesday, August 9th. Knife Rights was pleased to be able to support Senator Hill and Representative Lebsock in moving this bill through the legislature and delivering more freedom for Colorado knife owners. Knife Rights’ Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, traveled to Denver to lobby the bill at the invitation of the sponsors, overcoming objections raised by some legislators. Knife Rights would also like to recognize Sen. … Continued... Read More

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, … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights is pleased to announce that we have engaged the bipartisan government relations firm Capitol Hill Consulting Group (CHCG) to lobby for us in Washington, D.C. They will be working with our friends and allies in the capital to help us pass the Knife Owners’ Protection Act including repeal of the Federal Switchblade Act (KOPA – H.R. 84).    A few weeks ago Todd Rathner and I were in D.C. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ New York Gravity Knife Law Reform Bill passed the Senate by a vote of 61-1.  The identical Assembly version,  A.5667A, was substituted for S.4769A and was the version passed. We’d like to express our sincere appreciation to Senator Diane Savino for her extraordinary efforts and perseverance as the Senate sponsor that finally resulted in this bill being brought to the floor for a vote. Our Assembly sponsor, Assemblyman Dan Quart worked very hard to get this done. … Continued... Read More

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, … Continued... Read More

Two amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs have been filed in support of Knife Rights’ Appeal in its federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. The first brief, filed by a group of 17 law professors led by Yale law professor Gideon Yaffe, highlights how the gravity knife law is even more problematic under the Constitution because it does not require the state to prove that a person knows a knife is illegal for that person to be subject to arrest and prosecution. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ bill to mostly repeal Illinois’ switchblade ban, SB 607, was passed today in the House by a vote of 61-45. It now goes to Governor Rauner for his consideration. If you live, work or travel in Illinois, please email or call the Governor and ask him to sign SB 607. Click here to Email the Governor via Knife Rights Legislative Action Center. Click here to Phone the Governor via Knife Rights Legislative Action Center Congratulations to our sponsor Rep. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ New York Gravity Knife Law Reform Bill, A.5667 passed in the Assembly by a vote of 128-1. This is the fourth year in a row that the Assembly has passed a bill to stop the abuse of the state’s gravity knife statute by New York City. Last year’s bill passed the Assembly 117-12. Now the Senate will consider their identical version of the bill, S.4769. Last year the bill passed in the Senate 61-1. … Continued... Read More

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, … Continued... Read More

Montana Governor Steve Bullock has allowed HB 251 to become law without his signature. HB 251 removes the prohibition against concealed carry without a CCW of “a knife with blade 4 or more inches in length” The bill also removed Dirks, Daggers, Sword Canes, razors, “billy” and “knuckles made of any metal or hard substance” from the items prohibited from concealed carry. Congratulations to sponsor Representative Kirk Wagoner.  The bill passed by large margins in the Senate (38 – … Continued... Read More

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” … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

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, … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

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, … Continued... Read More

The Georgia House has overwhelmingly passed HB 292 that includes the language from Knife Rights’ Georgia Knife Law Reform bill, SB 49. It is now headed to the Governor for action. This bill would increase the legal carry length of a knife blade in the state from 5 inches to 12 inches (see Section 3 of HB 292). HB 292 is this year’s “omnibus” gun bill in Georgia. If you live, … Continued... Read More

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™. … Continued... Read More

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, … Continued... Read More

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. … Continued... Read More

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.” … Continued... Read More

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.... Read More