Current Actions

Again: Please Help Fix a BAD Washington Knife Ban Bill and Amend "Knives" Out of SB 5444

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, on Friday gave testimony asking the House Civil Rights Judiciary Committee to amend SB 5444 to remove "knives." As it stands the bill would make it illegal to possess ANY knife at a "transit station" including bus, train and trolley stops! This would make it illegal to carry a knife on public transit, period, since you can't board without going through a transit station! We need your URGENT help to get "knives" amended out of this BAD BILL!

In speaking to the Chair, she said she was "well aware" of the emails you have sent on the bill. We need to double down on these emails and we make it easy using our Legislative Action Center to easily email the Committee members, including the Chair.

Please Help Fix a BAD Washington Knife Ban Bill and Amend "Knives" Out of SB 5444

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Please help FIX a BAD Washington KNIFE BAN Bill! SB 5444 would BAN Knives on PUBLIC TRANSIT in Washington! The bill would make it illegal to possess ANY knife at a transit station including bus, train and trolley stops! This would make it illegal to carry a knife on public transit, period since you can't board without going through a transit station! We need your help to get "knives" amended out of this BAD BILL!

Chefs would be unable to carry their knife roll. Tradespeople would be unable to carry their knife used at work. Fishers would be unable to carry a knife to clean their catch. The unintended consequences of SB 5444 will especially burden the economically disadvantaged and many people of color who must use public transit.

Use our Legislative Action Center to easily email the Committee Members. You must have a Washington address.

URGENT: Email Support of Washington "Spring Blade" (Automatic) Knife Ban Repeal Bill, SB 5860

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Knife Rights’ bill that would repeal Washington’s ban on “spring blade” (automatic) knives,SB 5860, is now in the House and is assigned to the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committe. We need your help to encourage the Chair to schedule the bill for a hearing and to urge committee members to vote Yes on SB 5860. If you LIVE IN Washington state, use our Legislative Action Center to send your emails. You must have a Washington address.

URGENT Email in Support of Washington "Spring Blade" (Automatic) Knife Ban Repeal Bill, SB 5860

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Knife Rights’ bill that would repeal Washington’s ban on “spring blade” (automatic) knives,SB 5860, is now ready to be voted on by the full Senate. We now need your help to urge Senators to do what they can to bring the bill to a floor vote and then vote YES on the bill. If you LIVE IN Washington state, use our Legislative Action Center to send your emails. You must have a Washington address.

Email in Support of Washington "Spring Blade" (Automatic) Knife Ban Repeal Bill, SB 5860

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Knife Rights’ Washington “Spring Blade” (automatic) knife ban repeal bill, SB 5680, has been voted out of the Senate Committee on Law & Justice. We now need you to urge Senate President Denny Heck to bring the bill to the floor and also urge the Senators to vote for the bill.

Please Email Ohio Speaker & Committee to Move Knife Rights Supported Bill!

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 05:00:00 GMT

In 2021 Knife Rights successfully lobbied to enact knife law reform in Ohio that eliminated a number vague knife laws and eliminated state knife bans. In 2022 we saw Knife Rights’ Signature Knife Law Preemption bill enacted, adding "knives" to the state's firearms preemption statute, eliminating local bans.

Some anti-2A jurisdictions around the country have enacted onerous liability insurance and fee requirements for simply possessing a weapon in one's home. Senators Theresa Gavarone and Terry Johnson are working to pass Knife Rights supported SB 58 that would add a prohibition on what is, essentially, a tax on a fundamental right, to the state's preemption statute that includes knives.

SB 58 passed the Senate and is now in the House where it needs to move promptly to get it done this year. If you live or work in Ohio, please help us encourage House Speaker Jason Stephens and Insurance Committee Members to start hearings on this important bill.

PLEASE DO IT TODAY!

Email Committee Members to Support Texas Knife Law Reform Bill

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Please email House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee members to support HB 1311, a bill that would remove two commonly visited places where Location-Restricted Knives (knives over 5 1/2 inches) are banned. Those locations are restaurants and bars that derive 51% of their income from sale or service of alcoholic beverages and amusement parks. HB 1311 will protect food service workers, landscapers, and others who utilize large knives for work from jeopardy of arrest for possessing a simple tool.

Background

In 2013 Knife Rights’ repeal of Texas’ switchblade ban was enacted. In 2015 Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption was enacted, nullifying all local knife ordinances more restrictive than Texas state law, including two of the “10 Worst Anti-Knife Cities in America” at the time, San Antonio and Corpus Christi. In 2017 our bill removed all of the “illegal knives” in Texas law, finally allowing Texans the right to carry a Bowie knife, dagger and others in public. In 2019 our bill removed the ban on carry of clubs (including tomahawks) and possession of knuckles (including trench knives and the like).

Unfortunately, during the 2017 legislative process, as a result of a tragic stabbing at the University of Texas just blocks from the Capitol, a minor amendment was added to stipulate that knives with blades over 5 1/2 inches are now defined as “location-restricted knives.” These knives may be carried throughout the state except in a narrow list of places such as schools, colleges, correctional facilities, amusements parks and bars that derive more than 51% of their income from alcohol sales, as well as some other locations.

Houses of worship were originally included, but that ban was removed when permitless carry was enacted in 2021. Minors are also restricted as to when they can carry these knives.

Similar bills to HB 1311 passed by overwhelming margins in the Senate in 2019 and in the House in 2021.

ACTION ALERT - EMAIL TODAY! Nebraska Constitutional Carry Vote LB77

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Knife Rights supported Nebraska Constitutional Carry bill, LB 77 which includes knives and preemption, will be up for a vote in Nebraska's unicameral legislature shortly, possibly before the end of this week.

If you are a Nebraska resident, please use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to email members to support LB77: TBD

Knife Rights supports Constitutional Carry and particularly bills such as this that cover knives.

Knife Rights is America’s grassroots knife owners’ organization; leading the fight to Rewrite Knife Law in America™ and forging a Sharper Future for all Americans™. Knife Rights efforts have resulted in 40 bills enacted repealing knife bans in 26 states and over 150 cities and towns since 2010.

Help Pass Constitutional Carry Including Knives in Florida

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Knife Rights supports the Florida Constitutional Carry bill, HB 543. We thank primary sponsors Rep. Chuck Brannan and Sen. Jay Collins for ensuring this bill covers all weapons, including knives. Use Knife Rights' Legislative Action Center to write your legislators to ask them to vote yes on HB 543

Knife Rights supports Constitutional Carry and particularly bills such as this that rid the state of its ban on concealed carry of knives (other than a “pocket knife”) without a permit.

Mississippi Knife Law Preemption Bill Stalled - ACT NOW!

Sat, 28 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Knife Rights' Mississippi bill to enact knife law preemption, SB 2383, is stalled in committee. The deadline for a hearing is Tuesday!

ACT RIGHT NOW! If you are a Mississippi resident, or work or travel in the state, please use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to email or call Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, Senate Judiciary Committee Division A Chair Brice Wiggins and Subcommittee Chair Nicole Boyd to request they hold a hearing on SB 2382 before the deadline Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Enter Address below and on next page CLICK on the EMAIL Icon to email or the PHONE Icon to call.

NOTE: If you are not a Mississippi resident, use the address of where you work in MS or where you travel in MS.

Knife Law Preemption is a Knife Rights' criminal justice reform effort that 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 within 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, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Ask Your NJ Assemblyman to VOTE NO on A4769

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Ask Your NJ Assemblyman to VOTE NO on unconstitutional A4769 which is a thinly-veiled attempt to blatantly circumvent the U.S. Supreme Court’s ground-breaking Bruen decision and to utterly destroy right to carry in the Garden State INCLUDING the right to carry perfectly legal knives in many common public places.

Ask Senate Law and Public Safety Committee to VOTE NO on OR Amend S3214

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Ask the Senate Committee on law and Public Safety VOTE NO on unconstitutional S3214 which is a thinly-veiled attempt to blatantly circumvent the U.S. Supreme Court’s ground-breaking Bruen decision and to utterly destroy right to carry in the Garden State INCLUDING the right to carry PERFECTLY LEGAL KNIVES in many common public places, making carry a FELONY LEVEL OFFENSE (Crime of the Third Degree).

Knife Rights is America's grassroots knife owners' organization; leading the fight to Rewrite Knife Law in America™. Knife Rights efforts have resulted in 39 bills enacted repealing knife bans in 25 states and over 150 cities and towns since 2010. Learn more at www.KnifeRights.org

Ask Ohio Governor DeWine to sign SB 156

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT

The Ohio Legislature has passed Knife Rights’ Ohio Knife Law Preemption bill, SB 156. Now it goes to Governor Mike DeWine for action.

This bill follows enactment last year of Knife Rights’ Ohio Knife Law Reform bill, SB 140. Without knife law preemption making those reforms applicable statewide, numerous cities and towns in Ohio are still able to ban many knives that are perfectly legal under Ohio’s statutes.

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 within a state.

Email to Support Missouri Bill Cleaning Up Knife Law

Tue, 10 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT

A bill to enact firearms and weapons law reforms, HB1462, has passed the Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee including further legalization regarding the possession of switchblade (automatic) knives.

When Knife Rights worked to enact SB 489 in 2012, repealing Missouri's total ban on switchblades, we had to compromise and instead of a clean repeal, it was with the proviso that switchblades were prohibited if "in violation of federal law." That had little impact on most residents of Missouri, but unfortunately it opened the door to abuse by some prosecutors and law enforcement. This bill would delete switchblades from that section of the law, eliminating all mention in Missouri statutes.

If you live or work in Missouri, it is critical to email Senate Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden and ask him to bring HB1462 up for debate and a vote of the full Senate as soon as possible.

URGENT! Urge WA House Members to Vote YES on HB 1224 Repealing WA's Switchblade Ban

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

The bipartisan Washington “Spring Blade” Ban Repeal bill, HB 1224, that would repeal the state's ban on automatic knives will be voted on shortly by the House. If you are a Washington resident, please use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to ask your Representative to vote YES on HB 1224.

URGENT! Urge Committee Members to Vote YES on HB 1224 Repealing WA's Switchblade Ban

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT

The bipartisan Washington “Spring Blade” Ban Repeal bill, HB 1224, that would repeal the state's ban on automatic knives will be voted on shortly by the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary. If you are a Washington resident, please use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to ask House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee members to vote YES on HB 1224.

Email Michigan Governor Whitmer to Sign Michigan Knife Rights Act

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 04:00:00 GMT

The Michigan Knife Rights Act, HB 4066, which would enact Knife Law Preemption in the state, has passed the legislature with bipartisan support. Please ask Governor Whitmer to sign HB 4066.

Knife Law Preemption is a Knife Rights criminal justice reform effort that nullifies existing ordinances and prevents new 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 within a state.

Knife Rights drafted the model legislation and 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, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Email Michigan Senators to Vote Yes on Michigan Knife Rights Act

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT

The Michigan Knife Rights Act, HB 4066, which would enact Knife Law Preemption in the state, passed the House earlier this year and has now passed out of the Senate Local Government Committee. Please ask Senators to vote yes on HB 4066.

Email Michigan Senate Committee To Vote Yes on Michigan Knife Rights Act

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Knife Rights' Michigan Knife Rights Act, HB 4066, which would enact Knife Law Preemption in the state, passed the House earlier this year. Now that the Senate Local Government Committee hearing has been held, please ask committee members to vote yes on HB 4066.

URGENT! Time Running Out! Email Senate Committee on State Affairs to Vote Out Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 956

Sat, 22 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Attention Texas Residents! Time if running out in Texas to get Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 956, passed. Every indication is we have the BIPARTISAN votes needed to pass the bill in Committee and on the floor, but the bill is stalled. The Chairman has not allowed a vote to be held. We need Texas residents to pressure for a vote.

HB 956 passed the House 142 - 2, last session it passed the Senate overwhelmingly. There is no reason for it not to pass the Senate again this year. Governor Abbott has indicated he would sign the bill. Please IMMEDIATELY contact the members of the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee to politely and respectfully request that they ask Chairman Hughes for a vote on HB956. Nobody on the committee has expressed opposition to the bill.

HB 956 would remove from statute a number of places where Location-Restricted Knives (having blades over 5 1/2 inches) are banned, including restaurants and bars that derive 51% of their income from sale or service of alcoholic beverages, amusement parks and places of religious worship.

Please share this with all your Texas friends.

Help Urge Texas House Members to Vote YES on Texas Knife Law Reform - HB 956

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Knife Rights' Texas Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 956, is set for a vote Monday, April 26th, on the floor of the House. If you are a TEXAS RESIDENT help us to get bill this passed by emailing your Representative and asking them to vote YES on HB 956.

Background:

In 2013 Knife Rights’ repeal of Texas’ switchblade ban was enacted. In 2015 Knife Rights’ signature Knife Law Preemption was enacted, nullifying all local knife ordinances more restrictive than Texas state law, including two of the “10 Worst Anti-Knife Cities in America” at the time, San Antonio and Corpus Christi. In 2017 our bill removed all of the “illegal knives” in Texas law, finally allowing Texans the right to carry a Bowie knife, dagger and others in public. In 2019 the ban on carry of clubs (including tomahawks) and possession of knuckles (including trench knives and the like) was repealed.

Unfortunately, during the 2017 legislative process, as a result of a tragic University of Texas stabbing just blocks from the Capitol, a minor amendment was added to stipulate that knives with blades over 5 1/2 inches are now defined as “location-restricted knives.” These knives may be carried throughout the state except in a narrow list of places such as schools, colleges, correctional facilities, amusements parks, houses of worship, and bars that derive more than 51% of their income from alcohol sales, as well as some other locations. Minors are also restricted as to when they can carry these knives.

Knife Rights (www.KnifeRights.org) is America’s grassroots knife owners’ organization; Rewriting Knife Law in America™ and forging a Sharper Future for all Americans™. Knife Rights efforts have resulted in 33 bills enacted repealing knife bans in 23 states and over one hundred cities and towns since 2010, as well as numerous litigation victories.

Please Urge Texas House Calendars Committee To Set HB 956 for a Floor Vote

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Use this Legislative Action to urge members of the Texas House Calendars Committee to set Knife Rights' Knife Law Reform Bill, HB 956, for a floor vote. HB 956 would remove from statute a number of places where Location-Restricted Knives (having blades over 5 1/2 inches) are banned.

HB 956 would remove restaurants and bars that derive 51% of their income from sale or service of alcoholic beverages, amusement parks and places of religious worship from the places where Location Restricted Knives are banned.

URGENT: CALL Texas House Business & Industry Committee Members to OPPOSE HB 4415

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Call to Urge Texas House Business & Industry Committee members to VOTE NO on HB 4415.

HB 4415 would require ALL “retail establishments” to display knives “in a locked transparent case accessible only with the assistance of an employee of the establishment.”

For purposes of this bill,”knife” is very broadly defined as “any bladed hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person with the instrument.” “Retail establishment” is also very broadly defined as “a place of business open to the general public for the sale of goods or services.”

While some knife sellers choose to keep some of their displayed inventory under lock and key, this bill would require ALL knives on display to be locked down. Beyond the obvious difficulties this bill would present to knife retailers, it would also impact any store with a small knife section (department and big box stores, hardware stores, gas stations, etc.) as well as swap meets, gun shows and knife shows.

At a time when the Texas Legislature is moving towards increased liberty this bill does exactly the opposite. Expensive mandates that will result in enforcement issues and which will negatively impact knife shows, sporting goods stores, hardware stores and many others retailers from big box stores to mom and pops, is not something Texans want their legislature to do. The imposition of such an irrational mandate will do nothing to stop criminal acts by those with evil minds or mental health issues. The real costs and inconvenience of "doing something" that accomplishes nothing will only be borne by law-abiding Texans.

Please stand with the freedom loving people of Texas and ask committee members to VOTE NO on HB 4415.

URGENT: Email Texas House Business & Industry Committee Members to OPPOSE HB 4415

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Email to urge Texas House Business & Industry Committee members to VOTE NO on HB 4415. STOP the Texas Knife Lockdown!

HB 4415 would require ALL “retail establishments” to display knives “in a locked transparent case accessible only with the assistance of an employee of the establishment.”

URGENT! Urge Chairman Hansen to Hear HB 1224 Repealing WA's Switchblade Ban

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT

The bipartisan Washington “Spring Blade” Ban Repeal bill, HB 1224, that would repeal the state's ban on automatic knives is in danger of dying on the vine. If a hearing is not held by the end of the day on Monday, February 15, it will be dead for this session. The current agenda does not include a hearing on HB 1224!

If you are a Washington resident, please use Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to ask House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee Chairman Drew Hansen to please hold a hearing on HB 1224. The members of the committee will be CC'd on the email to the Chairman asking them to also make the request of the Chairman to hear HB 1224.

Urge Ohio Governor to Sign SB 140 - Hinderer Support

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Urge Ohio Governor DeWine to sign SB140, reforming OH knife to allow Rick Hinderer to manufacture automatic knives in Ohio.

Ohio Governor: Please Sign SB 140

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Urge Ohio Governor DeWine to sign SB 140 that reforms Ohio's vague and irrational knife laws.

Please Vote YES on SB 140

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Urge Ohio House members to vote YES on SB 140 that reforms Ohio's vague and irrational knife laws.

Urge Ohio House Speaker Robert Cupp to schedule a floor vote on SB 140

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Urge Ohio House Speaker Robert Cupp to schedule a floor vote on SB 140 that reforms Ohio's knife laws.

Contact CISA COVID-19 Action Team

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 04:00:00 GMT

This ACTION ITEM will allow you to send an email to the CISA COVID-19 Action Team as well as copy to your members of Congress. You will need to fill in the specifics for your company. DO NOT SEND THE INCOMPLETE MESSAGE! EDIT the MESSAGE to Fill in or make a choice as appropriate for every item in [brackets].

These 4 items in the Message require you to fill in or make a choice:

[Insert Company Name]

[Insert Company Address]

Knife [Manufacturer and/or Retailer and/or Importer and/or Distributor]

[has been issued a STOP WORK ORDER by the [Governor or County or City] / is very concerned that a STOP WORK ORDER will be issued].

[??]%

If you get a warning about message size, just click on OK

Ask Michigan House Members to vote YES on HB 5286

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Ask Michigan House Members to vote YES on HB 5286, Knife Rights' Michigan Knife Law Preemption bill, the "Michigan Knife Rights Act. Preemption prevents enforcement of existing local knife ordinances, and prohibits new ordinances, more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state.

Vote Yes on WV SB 96

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Email WV Senators to Vote Yes on SB 96

Urge House Speak Laurie Jinkins to call for a vote on SB 5782

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Urge House Speak Laurie Jinkins to call for a vote on SB 5782 repealing Washington state's "Spring Blade" (switchblade) Ban.

Please EMAIL Congress to Co-Sponsor the Knife Owners' Protection Act

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 04:00:00 GMT

Please Email your Representative in Congress and ask him or her to Co-Sponsor the Knife Owners' Protection Act (H.R. 60) including repeal of the Federal Switchblade Act of 1958