Switchblade (Automatic) Knives Now Legal in Maine

April 17, 2015: Maine Governor LePage has signed into law 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. Maine is the eighth state to repeal its ban on switchblades since Knife Rights started it Sharper Future™ campaign six years ago.

Knife Rights would like to thank and congratulate LD 264 sponsor Representative Joel Stetkis for his leadership in passing LD 264. As a freshman legislator it means a lot to us that Knife Rights’ victories in repealing bans in seven states previously gave Rep. Stetkis the inspiration and confidence to take on Maine’s ban as one of his first legislative efforts.

The new law goes into effect October 15. Maine residents should note that until the new law is in effect, they can still be charged with violations under existing law.

Automatic knives are now legal for civilians without restriction in 27 states, and legal with various restrictions in 10 more. Eight of those 27 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first repeal of a automatic knife ban in 2010 in New Hampshire and has since passed repeal of automatic knife bans (and repealed other knife restrictions) in Alaska, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas.

April 7, 2015: “An Act To Restore the Right To Possess Certain Knives That Are Used by Many Citizens as Tools,” LD 264, has been passed by both houses of the Maine legislature and is now headed to the Governor. The final vote in the House last week was 120-24, the Senate concurred today. LD 264 would repeal Maine’s irrational ban on automatic and gravity knives.

If you live, work, or travel in Maine, please contact Governor LePage and politely request that he sign LD 264. That’s it, “Please sign LD 264,” keep it simple and to the point. You can phone the Governor at: 207-287-3531 (or Toll-free: 1-855-721-5203) or Click here to email him through his website.

Knife Rights would like to thank LD 264 sponsor Representative Joel Stetkis for his leadership in passing LD 264. As a freshman legislator it means a lot to us that Knife Rights’ victories in repealing bans in seven states gave Rep. Stetkis the inspiration and confidence to take on Maine’s ban as one of his first legislative efforts.

Automatic knives are legal in 38 states (some with restrictions) and 26 states have no restrictions whatsoever on these knives. Seven of those 26 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, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. Maine would be repeal number eight!

March 9, 2015: The Maine Joint Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety voted unanimously to report LD 264 out of Committee with an “ought to pass” report. LD 264, “An Act To Restore the Right To Possess Certain Knives That Are Used by Many Citizens as Tools,” would repeal Maine’s irrational and antiquated ban on automatic and gravity knives. The bill now moves to the House for a vote.

If you live, work, or travel in Maine, please contact your Representative and politely request that they vote YES on LD264, and show the residents of Maine that they can be trusted to possess these everyday tools responsibly. CLICK HERE to find your representative.

March 2, 2015: Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, testified on Monday before the Maine Joint Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety in support of LD 264, sponsored by Representative Joel Stetkis. LD 264, “An Act To Restore the Right To Possess Certain Knives That Are Used by Many Citizens as Tools,” would repeal Maine’s irrational and antiquated ban on automatic and gravity knives.

The committee asked a lot of questions of the witnesses which revealed that much of the absurd mythology surrounding automatic knives is still alive and well today. The committee struggled with the fact that honest people are being arrested and prosecuted under the current law for possessing common, everyday pocket knives. The definition of “Dangerous Weapons” in current Maine statute (where automatic knives are defined, but not actually called “switchblade” or “automatic”) has been interpreted by law enforcement and others as including many assisted-opening knives.

Knife Rights maintains that the best solution to this problem is to repeal the existing ban altogether, as we have done in seven other states so far. None of those repeals have resulted in any rise in crime. Some on the committee would like to amend the statute to allow for the possession of assisted opening knives, but continue the ban on automatic knives. This illustrates the inherent problems in trying to differentiate between “good knives” and “bad knives” and how these distinctions hurt everyday citizens. How a knife opens should have no bearing on legality.

Knife Rights will continue to work with the committee members and the sponsor for a full repeal on the prohibition of automatic knives so that Maine’s residents can join the majority of states that allow their possession.

If you live, work, or travel in Maine, please CALL the members of the committee and politely request that they pass LD264 WITHOUT ANY AMENDMENTS, and show the residents of Maine that they can be trusted to possess these average, everyday tools, responsibly. Just like the residents of all those other states

Maine Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety:

Senator Kim Rosen, Chair (R-8)
Email: kimberley.rosen@legislature.maine.gov
(207) 287-1505

Senator David Burns (R-6)
Email: David.Burns@legislature.maine.gov
((207) 287-1505

Senator Stan Gerzofsky (D-24)
Email: stan1340@aol.com
(207) 287-1515

Representative Lori A. Fowle (D-80)
Email: Lori.Fowle@legislature.maine.gov
Cell: (207) 649-4863
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900

Representative Michel A. Lajoie (D-58)
Email: Michel.Lajoie@legislature.maine.gov
Cell: (207) 713-7119
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900

Representative Justin M. Chenette (D-15)
Email: Justin.Chenette@legislature.maine.gov
Cell: (207) 590-3266
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900

Representative Catherine M. Nadeau (D-78)
Email: Catherine.Nadeau@legislature.maine.gov
Cell: (207) 557-1587
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900

Representative James E. Davitt (D-78)
Email: Jim.Davitt@legislature.maine.gov
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900

Representative Charlotte Warren (D-84)
Email: Charlotte.Warren@legislature.maine.gov
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900

Representative Ricky D. Long (R-145), Ranking Minority Member
Email: Ricky.Long@legislature.maine.gov
Cell: (207) 267-1828
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900

Representative Karen A. Gerrish (R-20)
Email: Karen.Gerrish@legislature.maine.gov
Cell: (207) 651-5452
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900

Representative Timothy S. Theriault (R-79)
Email: tim.theriault@legislature.maine.gov
Cell: (207) 649-4434
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900

Representative Michael J. Timmons (R-45)
Email: Michael.Timmons@legislature.maine.gov
Cell: (207) 653-9783
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900

Maine State Representative Joel Stetkis has introduced “an act to restore access to certain knives.” LD 264, would repeal Maine’s irrational and antiquated ban on automatic and gravity knives. This bill has been assigned to committee, so now it is time to call and write to the committee members.

If you live, work or travel in Maine, please contact the members of the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and politely ask them to support LD 264.