Legislative Update

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