Legislative Update

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Feb 25, 2015: Indiana Representative Peggy Mayfield has introduced Knife Rights’ Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 1635. The bill has been assigned to the House Committee on Public Policy where the Committee Chairman, Rep. Thomas Dermody (R-20), has indicated that he is not been inclined to hear the bill. Your help is needed to convince the Chairman to hear the bill. If you live, … Continued... Read More

June 2, 2015: Knife Rights' Nevada Knife Law Reform Bill, SB 176, was signed by Governor Sandoval on June 1st. This act repeals existing bans on switchblade knives (longer than 2-inches), dirks, daggers and belt buckle knives and becomes effective on July 1, 2015. Unfortunately, because preemption was dropped from the bill, citizens and travelers will still have to be wary of local regulations more restrictive than the new state law. Nevada is the tenth state, the third this year, where Knife Rights has repealed knife bans. Knife Rights would like to express our sincere appreciation to our bill sponsor, Nevada State Senator James Settelmeyer, who guided this bill through a difficult legislative process.... Read More

Jan. 30, 2015: Mississippi Representative Herb Frierson this week introduced Knife Rights’ Knife Law Preemption bill, House Bill 552. Knife Rights has been working to pass Knife Law Preemption in Mississippi since Rep. John Moore introduced our bill last year. We are very pleased to be working with Rep. Frierson this year to rid the state of its patchwork of local laws more strict than state law. … Continued... Read More

March 16, 2015: The Maryland House Judiciary Committee has voted to give an unfavorable report on HB 713, a draconian bill that would have banned the sale or purchase of any ivory, including mammoth ivory, in the state. The unfavorable report came after an alliance of organizations opposed to the bill, including Knife Rights, helped make it clear to the committee members that it was terribly problematic for honest, law-abiding Marylanders, stealing millions in value from them, and that it would not save a single living elephant in Africa. We would especially like to thank David, an 8-year-old student and avid fossil collector, for testifying in opposition to HB 713, showing off parts of his impressive collection of shark's teeth and mammoth ivory fossils that would be rendered valueless by this ill-considered bill, which would have also prevent him from continuing to collect many of the fossils he prizes most. When we are allowed the opportunity to explain the facts involved and the reality of the illicit trade in elephant ivory, in which Americans have virtually no involvement whatsoever, we have a good chance of changing the minds of those who have been mislead by emotionally charged, politically and financially motivated efforts to ban legal elephant ivory that's been in the country for decades and mammoth ivory that's 10,000 years old. The bright light of the truth and facts can carry the day given half a chance. Like all Americans, we find the poaching of African elephants appalling and reprehensible. Unfortunately, instead of going after poachers, smugglers and traders of illicit ivory, Ivory Ban bills only attack innocent Americans without any likelihood of having an impact on the poaching problem.... Read More

Subject: OPPOSE HB 713 Dear Delegate _________________________, I am writing to respectfully request that you please OPPOSE HB 713, the Ivory Ban Bill just introduced. I, like all Americans, find the out-of-control poaching of African elephants appalling. Unfortunately, instead of going after poachers, smugglers and traders of illicit ivory, this bill only attacks innocent Washingtonians by passing an absurd Ivory Ban that will not save a single living elephant. … Continued... Read More

There was once a time in America when just about every kid attending school carried a pocket knife. Few kids would be caught without one. Times have changed and most schools have strict "zero tolerance" (zero common sense) policies on knives. It now appears that in at least one instance, a Zeeland, Michigan, police officer presenting a class in school may actually be misinforming students about knife law.   Knife Rights was recently alerted to a school in Zeeland, Michigan, that may have intentionally misled its students about the knife laws in Michigan. What is worse is that it appears to be the result of a program run by the Michigan State Police that does not require the use of a standardized lesson plans and study sheets, which means that this may just be one instance of a wider problem in Michigan schools. Did the Zeeland cop mislead students? Is this Michigan State Police program inherently flawed because it allows individual police officers to make up their own curriculum with no controls? Click on "Read More >>>>" below for the rest of the story.... Read More

Kentucky State Senator Robin Webb has introduced Knife Rights' Knife Law Preemption bill, SB 146. SB 146 would repeal all existing local knife regulations and prohibit any future knife regulations, making state knife law supreme over the entire state. It also specifically provides that parties may sue to enjoin any violations of the new preemption law and be awarded reasonable attorney's fees and costs. If you live, work or travel in Kentucky, please contact your state Senator or the Senator where you work or travel and ask them to please support SB 146. CLICK HERE to find your Kentucky Senator.... Read More

Feb. 10, 2015: Vermont State Representative Patrick Brennan,Co-Chairman of the Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, has introduced a Knife Rights requested bill H.165 that would enact Knife Law Preemption in Vermont. H.165 has been assigned to the House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources. If you live, work or travel in Vermont, please contact your Representative AND the Committee Members and ask them to support H.165. Click the link to locate your Legislator and/or the Legislator who represents where you work or travel: http://legislature.vermont.gov/people/search/2016 Click "Read More >>>>" below for the contacts of the Committee Members. Vermont already has pretty reasonable knife laws, but preemption prevents a patchwork of 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 passed the nation's first Knife Law Preemption bill in Arizona in 2010 and has since passed preemption bills in Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Utah.... Read More

July 16, 2015: Senators Steve Daines (MT) and Lamar Alexander (TN) have introduced S. 1769, the African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015. This is companion legislation to HR 697 in the House of Representatives. These bills would end the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's unilateral moratorium on the trade in lawfully owned ivory, including ivory handled knives. It also strengthens measures to stop elephant poaching in Africa and punishes countries that smuggle illicit ivory. Please CALL or EMAIL your Representative and Senators and ask them to Co-Sponsor the African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015 (H.R. 697 or S.1769, respectively) to protect both elephants and Americans. You can find your U.S. legislators and send them all an email here: www.democracy.io This bill is carefully tailored to allow the Administration to combat African elephant poaching and criminal organizations that sell illicit ivory in China. The bill protects innocent Americans who have complied with existing import prohibitions on ivory and the large stocks of ivory that have been in the United States for over 25 years. It protects the owners of knives, firearms, musical instruments, canes and a multitude of other items that include this decades-old legal ivory. For additional details, click on Read More >>>>... Read More

February 5, 2015: Illinois State Senator Tim Bevins has introduced legislation, SB 711, that would legalize switchblade (automatic) knives for anyone who holds an Illinois concealed carry license, as well as for peace officers. It includes legalization to manufacture and sell to these individuals. Given the long-standing prohibitionist environment in Illinois where weapons bans have been the legislature’s solution to every crime problem, … Continued... Read More

Federal: Knife Rights’ Knife Owners’ Protection Act Re-Introduced – CALL/WRITE TODAY! Federal: African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act Re-Introduced – CALL/WRITE TODAY! Georgia: Knife Law Reform Illinois: Switchblade Ban Repeal – Passed Senate – in House Kentucky: Knife Ban Repeal & Preemption Louisiana: Switchblade w/ CCW Maryland: Knife Law Preemption Maryland: Knife Ban on College Campuses – “Knives” … Continued... Read More

May 15, 2015: Knife Rights' Texas Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 905, that would rid Texas of its patchwork of local knife laws more strict than state law, has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice. Time is short and we need your help to get this bill heard and passed out of this committee. If you live, work or travel in Texas, we need you to ask Chairman Whitmire to hear HB 905 as soon as possible and we need you to also CALL and WRITE the committee members and politely ask them to support HB 905. Click on "Read More >>>>" below for a list of committee members with contacts.... Read More

October 15, 2015: Maine' LD 264, "An Act To Restore the Right To Possess Certain Knives That Are Used by Many Citizens as Tools," repealing the state's ban on switchblade (automatic) knives is now in effect. Maine is the ninth state to allow switchblades since Knife Rights started it Sharper Future™ campaign six years ago. Automatic knives are now legal for civilians without restriction in 28 states, and legal with various restrictions in 10 more. Nine of those 28 states have been added by Knife Rights since 2010. Knife Rights passed the nation's first repeal of a automatic knife ban in 2010 in New Hampshire and has since passed repeal of automatic knife bans (and repealed other knife restrictions) in Alaska, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee and Texas. In Oklahoma,this year Knife Rights' legalized concealed carry of an switchblade (automatic) knife which goes into effect on November 1st.... Read More

Jan. 30, 2015: The Virginia Senate Committee for Courts of Justice voted 13-0 to strike the recently introduced Ivory Ban bill, SB 1215, at the request of sponsor Senator Adam Ebbin (D-30). Ebbin made the request after an alliance of organizations opposed to the bill, including Knife Rights, helped make it clear to the committee members that it was terribly problematic for honest, law-abiding Virginians, stealing millions in value from them, and that it would not save a single living elephant in Africa. Earlier this week Knife Rights' Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, was in Olympia, Washington, to testify at hearings on two draconian Ivory Ban bills, House Bill 1131 and Senate Bill 5241. Both hearings were well attended and numerous individuals and organizations were present from our side to oppose the bills. Nothing in either bill would save a single living elephant, but both would do serious harm to honest, law-abiding Americans. We were encouraged by the questions and reactions of the committee members and hope that their obvious skepticism will lead to major changes in the text of the bills or their outright defeat. Please contact the members of both committees and politely urge them to oppose House Bill 1131 and Senate Bill 5241. Click here for contact information for bill sponsors, members of both committees and a model letter.... Read More

November 1, 2015: Knife Rights' Oklahoma Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 1460, takes effect today. Combined with Knife Rights' Oklahoma Switchblade Carry Ban Repeal bill, HB 1911, that also takes effect today, preemption ensures that switchblade (automatic) knife carriers will not have to deal with local restrictions on automatics and that possession of all knives will be legal throughout the state. 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. Daggers, Bowie knives and dirks are still prohibited from general carry in Oklahoma. Knife Rights still has some clean-up work to do in Oklahoma, but enactment of these two bills this year is a huge step forward for Oklahomans.... Read More

Click here for a model letter opposing HB 1131 and SB 5241 Toll-Free Legislative Hotline:1-800-562-6000 Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee: Senator Kirk Pearson, Chair (R-39)Email(360) 786-7676 Senator Brian Dansel (R-7), Vice ChairEmail(360) 786-7612 Senator Brian Hatfield (D-19)Email(360) 786-7636 Senator Maralyn Chase (D-32)Email(360) 786-7662 Senator Mike Hewitt (R-16)Email(360) 786-7630 Senator Rosemary McAuliffe (D-1)Email(360) 786-7600 Senator Judy Warnick (R-13)Email(360) 786-7624 Sponsors of SB 5241 Email Senator Joe Fain Email Senator Jamie Pedersen Email Senator Brian Hatfield Email Senator Steve Litzow Email Senator Christine Rolfes Email Senator Carolyn Schaefer House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee: Representative Brian Blake, … Continued... Read More

Jan. 21, 2015: Knife Rights' Knife Owners' Protection Act, H.R.419 (KOPA), has been re-introduced for the new session of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives by sponsor Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ). Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter explained, "KOPA will protect law-abiding knife owners traveling throughout the U.S. from the vagaries of restrictive state and local laws. As long as possession of the particular knife is legal in the state where the journey starts and ends, and provided the knife is secured in accordance with KOPA, a knife owner would no longer be threatened with arrest simply for traveling from one place to another." KOPA is the first proactive pro-knife federal legislation introduced in the nation's history. TAKE ACTION TODAY! Getting this bill introduced is only the first step. We need your help to gain additional co-sponsors. Please call or email your Representative TODAY and urge them to co-sponsor this commonsense legislation. You can find your Representative at: www.house.gov/representatives/find/ Or, you can use the Open Congress website at: www.opencongress.org/bill/hr419-114 Here's a model email that you can use. We strongly suggest you keep it simple and to the point: I support H.R.419, the Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2015. I urge you to become a co-sponsor of this commonsense legislation that will protect my rights and the rights of all knife owners to travel throughout the U.S. without fear of prosecution under the myriad of state and local knife laws. For complete details, click on "Read More>>>>" below.... Read More

Anti-Ivory forces are hard at work trying to enact more draconian state Ivory Bans. With the success we have had to date slowing down the publication of a Federal Ivory Ban (see below) and with at least the possibility we may get something done in Congress to stop the Feds completely, Clintons, HSUS, et al, have turned to the states. They passed draconian Ivory Bans in NY and NJ last year (which also included Mammoth Ivory - something the Feds aren't touching). Bill have already filed this year in Washington, Iowa and California (For full details, click on "Read More>>>>" below).... Read More

Subject: OPPOSE Senate File 30 Dear Senator _____________, I am writing to respectfully request that you please OPPOSE Senate File 30, the Ivory Ban Bill just introduced. I, like all Americans, find the out-of-control poaching of African elephants appalling. Unfortunately, instead of going after poachers, smugglers and traders of illicit ivory, Senate File 30 only attacks innocent Iowans by passing an absurd Ivory Ban that will not save a single living elephant. … Continued... Read More

March 31, 2015: Knife Rights' South Carolina Knife Law Preemption bill, H.3115, has passed the SC House by a vote of 88-0! It now moves to the Senate. South Carolina already has pretty reasonable knife laws, but preemption prevents a patchwork of 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 passed the nation's first Knife Law Preemption bill in Arizona in 2010 and has since passed preemption bills in Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Utah . If you live, work or travel in South Carolina, please contact your Senator and ask them to support H.3115. Click here to locate your Senator and/or the Senator who represents where you work or travel.... Read More

This week Knife Rights was busy fighting New York City’s persecution of knife owners on two fronts. Oral argument in the appeal of Knife Rights’ Federal Civil Rights case against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., which was dismissed on standing grounds, was held on January 13 in New York City. At the same time, Knife Rights was working with Manhattan Assemblyman Dan Quart to introduce legislation that could go a long way towards addressing the problem in New York City. … Continued... Read More

June 15, 2016: Knife Rights' Gravity Knife and Switchblade Reform Bill, S6483-A/A9042-A, passed the New York Senate today on a unanimous vote of 61-0. Knife Rights' Director of Legislative affairs, Todd Rathner, has spent many weeks on the ground in Albany this session working closely with our friends there to shepherd this bill through politically treacherous territory. All that extraordinary personal attention has paid off with this unanimous vote. The Assembly previously passed this bill 99-12. However, it is not over yet. S6483-A/A9042-A still needs to be signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The Governor will not officially receive the bill for his consideration until it is transmitted. Transmission of the bill could take a few weeks, so please be patient with the process. When the time is ripe, we'll ask for your help, but until then there's no benefit to contacting the Governor about this bill. Knife Rights would like to thank the following people who played a key role in helping to get this legislation through the legislature. Assembly Member Dan Quart (D) our primary sponsor in the Assembly, Senator Diane Savino (D) our primary sponsor in the Senate, Senator Michael Nozzolio (R) who made passing this bill a priority this session and Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R) whose staff worked closely with us to get the bill to the floor for a final vote. Knife Rights would also like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance and support of The Legal Aid Society of New York, as well as the many other organizations that supported this bill. We'd also like to thank all of you who called or emailed Leader Flannigan asking for a vote on this bill. Your calls and emails make a difference.... Read More

Subject: OPPOSE [SB 5231 or HB 1131 – as appropriate] Dear [Senator or Representative – as appropriate]_________________________, I am writing to respectfully request that you please OPPOSE [SB 5231 or HB 1131], the Ivory Ban Bill just introduced. I, like all Americans, find the out-of-control poaching of African elephants appalling. Unfortunately, instead of going after poachers, smugglers and traders of illicit ivory, this bill only attacks innocent Washingtonians by passing an absurd Ivory Ban that will not save a single living elephant. … Continued... Read More