Legislative Update

Sept. 22, 2015: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit unanimously ruled today that Knife Rights' Federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. will proceed, reversing a District Court's erroneous dismissal of the case on procedural "standing" grounds. You can review the Second Circuit's decision at: http://www.kniferights.org/KRvNYC_Second_Circuit_Opinion.pdf The Second Circuit ruled that Knife Rights' plaintiffs John Copeland, Pedro Perez, and Native Leather have the right to pursue their claims to end the unconstitutional manner in which the City and the DA have enforced state gravity knife law against honest individuals and businesses with regard to common folding knives.... Read More

Knife Rights is spearheading a Federal Civil Rights lawsuit, originally filed in June 2011, against New York City and New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. over their wrongful harassment of knife owners, retailers and manufacturers.  As this lawsuit works its way forward, we will post newsworthy events and links to articles, motions and other relevant information here (Click on "Read More >>>>" below for links). Lawsuit Summary: The lawsuit challenges New York City’s and District Attorney Vance’s attempt to criminalize as contraband the most widely-owned pocket knives in America -- one-hand opening and assisted opening folding knives -- under state laws prohibiting switchblades and gravity knives. The case seeks a judicial determination that the New York State laws regarding switchblades and gravity knives are unconstitutionally vague as applied by NYC and the DA to these common pocket knives (which are distinct from gravity knives and switchblades because of their bias towards closure). Knife Rights' lawsuit intends to stop New York City officials from abusing this vague state law to make bogus arrests of law-abiding citizens carrying common pocket knives, and from coercing knife retailers into making huge payments to avoid prosecution.(Click on "Read More >>>>" below for links to background articles) Status Summary as of June 10, 2016: Attorneys representing Knife Rights' plaintiffs and the defendants New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. will square off in Federal Court in Manhattan on Thursday morning, June 16. The oral argument portion of the trial on the merits will finally be held before U.S. District Court Judge Katherine B. Forrest five years after our federal civil rights lawsuit was originally filed. The public is welcome to attend. Click here to read article with full details.... Read More

Below you will find the actual text of the New York State Penal Code and the New York City Municipal Code related to knives. Included are some notes to clarify how the laws are interpreted. The key issue is that until such time as Knife Rights prevails in its federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Vance, it doesn’t matter that nobody except them believe that common folding knives with a bias towards closure are illegal Gravity Knives, … Continued... Read More

Richard Grant received Knife Rights' 2013 Freedom's Voice award at BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia. Grant was honored for his article published in Mother Jones magazine titled "Blade Runners," that was also published online as "Move Over, NRA. Meet the Knife Lobby." Knife Rights' Freedom's Voice award honors a journalist or journalistic team in general or non-knife-industry media that has demonstrated a commitment to fair, accurate and insightful coverage on an issue involving knife ownership Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter remarked, "I would never have expected to be making this award for an article that was published by Mother Jones, one of the most adamant anti-Second Amendment media sources in the country. It is a testament Richard's journalistic integrity and excellent writing that even Month Jones' editors couldn't do much more that come up with an incendiary headline and illustration."... Read More

Benchmade CEO Les DeAsis Challenges Fellow Knifemakers to "Step Up" and Support Knife Rights Knife Rights is pleased to announce that Les and Roberta DeAsis, founders and owners of Benchmade Knife Company, are the recipients of Knife Rights' 2013 Freedom's Guardian™ Award which was presented during BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon receiving the award, Mr. DeAsis challenged his colleagues in the knife industry to support Knife Rights, saying, "We need to protect our future. Our needs and desires are all aligned. The money is a small price to pay for protection of our future, our children, our employees, our friends...it is absolutely critical that we step up. The bottom line is that I ask everybody to reach into your hearts, reach into your conscience, then reach into your wallets and make this go. Doug is working his tail off. He is committed, they are successful. There is absolutely no excuse for those people in this room and this industry not to support this organization because they are insuring that we can continue to do what we love to do... It is ensuring the future of this industry. It is critical that you stand up, that you reach into your pockets. Join Benchmade in supporting Knife Rights." View the video of Mr. DeAsis' complete remarks at: http://youtu.be/dz7qXAb4dR4... Read More

2013 has been our most productive year yet, building upon our prior successes to create an even Sharper Future™. With your help: Knife Rights passed FIVE more Pro-Knife Bills this year! Knife Rights passed Knife Ban Repeals in FOUR more states this year! Knife Rights passed Knife Law Preemption in THREE more states this year! Some naysayers argued that political reaction to the Newtown tragedy would make it impossible for us to make headway this year, but we were not convinced. Turns out we were right! For full details on our five-year record of extraordinary success, click on "Read More >>>>"... Read More

Freedom’s Steel™ Knife Rights’ Extraordinary Custom Collaboration Knife Supporting NRA-ILA and the Second Amendment! A Historically Significant,One-of-a-Kind Custom Knife Crafted by Acclaimed Artisans Incorporating Wood from a Tree Planted by George Washington! (Click images and links for higher resolution photographs.) Knife Rights has donated Freedom’s Steel™, an extraordinary custom knife collaboration,to the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) in appreciation for their assistance and support of Knife Rights’ … Continued... Read More

The first ever scholarly analysis of knives and the Second Amendment has been accepted for publication by the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform. Researched and written by highly respected Second Amendment legal scholars David Kopel, Clayton Cramer and Joseph Edward Olson, the article makes the case that "Knives are clearly among the 'arms' which are protected by the Second Amendment." This supports one of the foundations for Knife Rights' efforts to protect our rights, "Essential Tools - Essential Rights."... Read More

The Making of Freedom’s Steel™ II – Never Forget™ Click here for the full details of Freedom’s Steel II – Never Forget. Photo by Buddy Thomason Click here for the full details of Freedom’s Steel II – … Continued... Read More

July 24, 2013: Knife Rights has recently received numerous emails and calls seeking clarification of the new Texas law (HB1862) repealing the ban on automatic (switchblade) knives that Knife Rights passed this year. This new law goes into effect on September 1. The Texas Legislature will be back is session in 2015 and Knife Rights will be there working to remove the remaining restrictions and to get Knife Law Preemption passed. In the meantime there are still limitations that Texas owners of automatic knives must be aware of. Click on "Read More >>>>" for all the critical details.... Read More

Common sense has once again fallen victim to overheated, hyperbolic and emotionally charged politics. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has caved to political pressure from flight attendants unions and others and has renounced its previously announced change in policy that would have allowed small knives on passenger aircraft. Despite all the commonsense and rational arguments in favor of the change, TSA Administrator John Pistole said, "after extensive engagement with the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, law enforcement officials, passenger advocates, and other important stakeholders, TSA will continue to enforce the current prohibited items list."... Read More

June 21, 2013: After two years of effort, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell has signed HB33, Alaska's Knife Rights Act, which enacts sweeping reform of Alaska's knife laws. HB33 legalizes the possession, transfer and carrying of automatic knives (switchblades). It also enacts knife law preemption repealing all local knife laws as well as preventing new ones from being enacted. The effective date of HB33 is September 18, 2013. At the invitation of Governor Parnell, Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner (far right in photos), attended the signing ceremony in Palmer, Alaska. Knife Rights would like to thank Governor Parnell for recognizing and expanding the rights of everyday Alaskans as well as the millions who visit Alaska every year to hunt, fish and recreate. We would also like to thank the sponsors of the HB33, Representative Mark Neumann and Senator Fred Dyson, for sponsoring this important legislation.Knife Rights would also like to thank Pro-Tech Knives for their support in helping to pass this legislation. With Governor Parnell's signature, all of Knife Rights legislation passed this year has now been signed into law. Alaska becomes the 7th state to enact Knife Rights' signature Knife Law Preemption. Knife Rights Scorecard This Year: FIVE more Pro-Knife Bills! Knife Ban Repeals in FOUR more states this year! Knife Law Preemption in THREE more states this year!... Read More

February 22, 2013: New Jersey Assembly bill A1387, which would permit municipalities to establish huge swaths of "weapons free zones" around schools, parks and "public facilities" within which possession of "any dangerous knife" would be prohibited, under penalty of fine and imprisonment, was passed by the full Assembly, along with a package of 19 other anti-gun bills, by decidedly partisan votes. We do know that your emails and calls were heard, but the steamroller in the Assembly was unstoppable. HOWEVER, THIS BILL HAS NOT YET BECOME LAW. The bill now moves to the NJ Senate, a somewhat more deliberative body where all indications are that there is no desire to steamroll the bill package that passed in the Assembly. A1387 will face brand new scrutiny and a full committee hearing in the Senate, if it is even moved forward there at all. Not all the bills passed by the Assembly yesterday will even get a hearing in the Senate. In any case, we will have a better chance to remove the "any dangerous knife" language during a hearing process, which was bypassed in the Assembly. We will alert you to act if and when the bill begins moving in the Senate process and it is time to write and call NJ's senators about this insanity.... Read More

Feb. 5 2014: Knife Rights' Todd Rathner testified today at the Vermont House Government Operations hearing on H.128, a Knife Rights' Knife Law Preemption bill sponsored by Rep. Patrick Brennan. The next step is up to the Committee Chairman, Rep. Donna Sweaney, who must hold a vote on the bill. If you live, work or travel in Vermont, please contact Chairman Sweaney and ask her to please bring up H.128 for a vote. Contact Rep. Sweaney at: dsweaney@leg.state.vt.us or call: 802-674-5175... Read More

May 13, 2013: Indiana Governor Mike Pence has signed HB1563 which repeals the state's irrational ban on switchblade knives. The new law takes effect on July 1, 2013. Please note that this repeal did not include Knife Law Preemption, we're going to see about that next time around, so any local laws banning switchblades are still in effect. Thanks again to Senators Jim Tomes and Johnny Nugent for their tireless efforts working with Knife Rights to pass this repeal.... Read More

  Double Winner’s ChoiceGift Certificate Bonanza! Year End Knife Rights FoundationDONATION!$7,515 in Prizes! THIS FUNDRAISER IS CLOSEDWinners Will be Drawn and Notified Beginning Jan. 3, 2014 … Continued... Read More

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Oct. 3, 2012: Knife Rights Founder and Chairman Doug Ritter was given the 2012 Bill of Rights Award by the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms on September 29, at the Gun Rights Policy Conference in Orlando, Florida. The unexpected honor was presented by CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. Gottlieb said, "Doug Ritter's pioneering efforts in defense of our Second Amendment knife rights are making a real difference, as out of control government bureaucrats in places like New York City are discovering. After seeing other countries demonize knives and severely restrict citizens' rights, Doug had the foresight to found Knife Rights now, to prevent that from happening here. This award is given in recognition and appreciation of Doug's passionate and tireless efforts pursuing an aggressive agenda of litigation and legislation in an arena that he has popularized as the Second Front in Defense of our Second Amendment." Ritter said, "I am deeply honored to receive this award. Our work would not be possible without the strong support of many individuals and organizations. This award belongs equally to all those who have provided financial, legislative and personal support, with special appreciation for my wife, Sue, without whom none of this would be possible." The Award acknowledges Ritter's "powerful public defense of the constitutionally-protected…fundamental right to keep and bear arms…" For full text of the award and photos, click on "Read More >>>>"... Read More

Freedom’s Sporting Steel™A Knife Rights Custom Knife CollaborationSupporting America’s Sporting Heritage & FreedomsDonated to Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Knife Rights has donated Freedom’s Sporting Steel™, a custom knife collaboration, to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in support of America’s sporting heritage and freedoms. ™. Freedom’s Sporting Steel™ was conceived of, and sponsored by, … Continued... Read More

August 22, 2012: Winners have all been drawn and posted.All prizes have been shipped. Thank you for your support of Knife Rights! … Continued... Read More

Ultimate Steel™ … Continued... Read More

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July 11, 2012: Knife Rights is pleased to announce the filing of Pennsylvania HB2548 which would repeal the Keystone State's ban on the possession of automatic knives and enact Knife Rights' signature Knife Preemption Law. The legislation was drafted by Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, and was introduced by Rep Michelle Brooks (R-17). Bipartisan Co-sponsors include Rep. Marc Gergely (D-35) and Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-60). Addition co-sponsors can be found on the bill's sponsor page.... Read More

Doubly ironic, once again the New York City-based Wall Street Journal features a one-hand-opening lock blade folder, a knife that could get a WSJ reader arrested in New York City, in an article titled “Blades of Glory” about knifemaker Thomas McGuane Jr. The pictured knife (lower in the photo) is a common folding knife (one-hand opening, locking blade), typical of 80% of the pocket knives sold in the U.S. … Continued... Read More