Legislative Update

Knife Rights Celebrates July 1st Enactment Day for Knife Law Bills in Virginia, Florida and Tennessee. Virginia: Switchblade Concealed Carry Legalized As of July 1st, concealed carry of automatic knives is legal in Virginia. This follows on from our repeal last year of Virginia’s ban on switchblades (automatic) knives that did not include repeal of the ban on concealed carry. NOTE: Dirks, stilettos and daggers remain prohibited from concealed carry in Virginia. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of portions of the Federal Switchblade Act (Title 15 Chapter 29 §1241), originally enacted in 1958, that restricts the introduction into interstate commerce of common automatically opening (“switchblade”) knives. It also challenges the ban on their possession on Native American reservations and in U.S. territories. The definition of a “switchblade knife” includes gravity knives and butterfly knives. Joining Knife Rights in the case are members Russell Arnold and Jeffery Folloder and retailer members RGA Auction Services d.b.a. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights supported Louisiana Constitutional Carry bill, HB 131, which includes knives, was passed by the House by a bipartisan vote of 71-39. All “weapons,” including knives, are covered by the bill. Unfortunately, the bill was amended to exclude adults under the age of 21 and to apply only to residents of the state. Knife Rights opposes the amendment. The age restriction is likely unconstitutional after the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision last year, … Continued... Read More

Anti-Second Amendment forces are trying to repeal Preemption in Ohio. SB 78 is a dangerous bill that if passed would repeal the entirety of Ohio’s preemption law, including Knife Law Preemption which was just enacted last year after six years of Knife Rights’ efforts. The initial Sponsor’s Hearing on the bill was held today before the Senate Veterans and Public Safety Committee. No action was taken. Repeal of knife law preemption would leave millions of knife owners living in and traveling through Ohio vulnerable to the whims of local county, … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 1311, died in the Senate again this year, once again the victim of Texas politics having nothing to do with our bill or its subject matter. It’s not much solace, but ours was just one of hundreds of bills in both houses of the legislature failed to move as a result of this political infighting and power plays. We thank our bill authors, … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights supported Louisiana Constitutional Carry bill, HB 131, which includes knives, was passed by the House by a bipartisan vote of 71-39. All “weapons,” including knives, are covered by the bill. The bill now moves to the Senate. We thank the primary sponsors for ensuring this bill covers all weapons, including knives. We work tirelessly to persuade legislators that Constitutional and Permitless Carry isn’t just about firearms or handguns. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights’ Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 1311, was passed today by the full House with a unanimous bipartisan vote. We thank our bill sponsors, Representatives Harold Dutton and Ryan Guillen, for their efforts, and all of you who emailed to get this bill out of committee. HB 1311 now moves to the Senate for action. Knife Rights will let you know as soon as it is appropriate to contact your Texas Senators to support HB 1311. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the City of Philadelphia’s ban on “use or possess(ion of) any cutting weapon upon the public streets or upon any public property at any time,” as well as within 100 ft. of any school. Joining Knife Rights in the case are Knife Rights members Keith Fetsurka and Scott Mele. They are represented by attorneys John W. Dillon at the Dillon Law Group and William Sack. Named as defendants are Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and the City of Philadelphia. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights supported Nebraska Constitutional Carry bill, LB 77 which covers knives and includes Knife Law Preemption, has been signed by Governor Jim Pillen. Gov. Pillen said, “this bill fulfills the promise I made to voters to uphold our Second Amendment rights and the ability of all law-abiding Nebraskans to defend themselves.” NOTE: The new law does not take effect until 90 days after the legislature adjourns. With an expected June 9th adjournment, … Continued... Read More

Since 2013 Knife Rights has worked to Rewrite Knife Law in Tennessee starting with our signature Knife Law Preemption. In 2014 we worked with our legislative friends and Tennessee Sheriffs to repeal the state’s ban on switchblade (automatic) knives and carry of knives with blades over 4 inches. Yesterday, Governor Bill Lee signed Knife Rights supported SB 172 that repealed the ban on carry of pocket knives by adults voting on school grounds on an election day. … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights supported Florida Permitless Carry bill, HB 543, which includes knives, has been signed by Governor DeSantis. Once in effect, concealed carry in Florida without a permit will no longer be limited to a “pocket knife.” NOTE: Permitless Concealed Carry does not become effective until July 1st. Because there is not yet Knife Law Preemption in Florida, local laws may still limit what knives can be carried and how. … Continued... Read More

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin yesterday evening signed HB 2298 that removes switchblades from the list of weapons that cannot be carried concealed in the state. NOTE: Repeal does not become effective until July 1st. Until that date, concealed carry of automatic knives remains illegal in Virginia. We sincerely appreciate Delegate Lee Ware for sponsoring this bill. We also must acknowledge the support for this effort from our good friends at the Virginia Citizens Defense League and especially, … Continued... Read More

Knife Rights today filed a federal lawsuit challenging California’s complete ban on common automatic knives 2-inches and greater that the State prohibits as illegal “switchblades.” Joining Knife Rights in the case are Knife Rights members James Miller, Garrison Ham, and Eliot Kaagan and knife retailer members North County Shooting Center and Poway Weapons and Gear. They are represented by attorney John W. Dillon at the Dillon Law Group. Named as defendants are California Attorney General Rob Bonta and other government officials. … Continued... Read More