January 23, 2012:We have both good and bad news from Washington State. Starting with the good, two companion bills, Senate Bill 6179 and House Bill 2347, would make it legal to manufacture spring-assisted and switchblade knives in the state of Washington. These bills also clarify the definition of a switchblade, or what is referred to in Oregon law as a "spring blade knife," so as to not include assisted-opening knives that are currently subject to adverse interpretation of the state statute making them technically illegal. In addition, this bill would expand the existing law enforcement exemption for possession of "spring blade knives" to members of the military, full-time first responders and those citizens who hold a valid Washington concealed pistol license (WA is a "shall issue" state).
The bad news is that last year's ridiculous anti-knife bill, HB 1006, that would make it illegal to conceal any knife over 3 1/2 inches long, even with a WA concealed pistol permit (since it is not a concealed weapon permit), has been resurrected. In a state where a long coat is a normal part of every outdoor enthusiast's, fisherman's and hunter's attire for a good part of the year, this would turn honest citizens into criminals for carrying a modestly sized sheath knife on their belt, along with quite a few common folding knives longer than the arbitrary length limit. It's time to put a stake through the heart of this asinine legislation and Knife Rights is working on that.
January 20, 2012: Knife Rights filed its response to New York City's Motion to Dismiss in our Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit against New York City and DA Vance. As with the DA's earlier motion, the City's motion was expected and is pro forma in a case such as this. Much of the City's motion simply aped the DA's, but they did manage to come up with their own ludicrous interpretation of the New York state statute on gravity knives. As before with the DA's motion, the Knife Rights legal team, led by attorney David Jensen, have sliced and diced the City's absurd arguments, laying waste to their arrogant, ill-conceived and baseless motion.
Click on "Read More>>>>" for additional details including copies of New York City's Motion and Knife Rights' Response.
January 20, 2012: The Indiana Senate voted overwhelmingly, 46-1, to pass Senate Bill SB06, a Knife Rights requested bill sponsored by Senators Jim Tomes and Johnny Nugent, which would overturn the state’s antiquated and irrational ban on the possession of switchblade/automatic knives.
January 8, 2012: Florida State Senator Thad Altman (R- District 24) has filed SB 1732, a Knife Law Preemption bill developed by Knife Rights with cooperation of our friends at Florida Carry. We'd also like to acknowledge former president of the NRA, Marion Hammer, the executive director of United Sportsmen of Florida, who was very helpful in this effort. SB 1732 is "a bill...providing legislative intent to preempt the regulation of knives and weapons to the Legislature." You can review the bill here: www.kniferights.org/SB-1732_Knife-Preemption_Altman.pdf
January 8, 2012: Politicians rarely avoid publicizing signing of a new law or ordinance into law unless they are embarrassed or don't want to draw attention to an otherwise stupid new regulation. No surprise then that Boston Mayor Tom Menino signed into law "An Ordinance Providing for the Licensing of Stores That Sell Certain Knives" with absolutely no fanfare, no publicity and no public announcement.
It is a disappointing, if not entirely unexpected, conclusion to this sordid, and likely ineffective, effort to restrict knife sales to youths. We remain opposed to any and all such regulations that in any way restrict a citizens' access to perfectly legal tools.
This should serve as a warning to those who don't believe it can happen "over here." Knives are heavily regulated in Europe and those opposed to individual liberty are clearly aiming to expand these restrictions to our shores. Licensing knife retailers is just one strategy that can be used and then abused.
While it is easy enough to make excuses for Boston based on its left-leaning political climate, let's not forget that many bad laws spread widely after just such an inauspicious start. The much reviled Federal Switchblade Act started out in just this way, at a local and state level. Just because it is stupid and unjust doesn't mean that politicians won't do it!
November 28, 2011: Pennsylvania State Representative Michele Brooks (District 17) is sponsoring Knife Rights Legislation that would repeal PA's ban on switchblades and also enact Knife Law Preemption in the state. The actual bill is being finalized by Legislative Counsel and Rep. Brooks has issued the formal notice to advise her fellow legislators and seek additional co-sponsors.
NRA America's 1st Freedom Magazine Features Knife Rights
The NRA's December issue of America's 1st Freedom magazine includes a 12-page feature article on Knife Rights: "Will Knives Fold?" The article chronicles the founding of Knife Rights and the anti-knife forces it is fighting, noting that "with startling parallels to the anti-gun movement, knife rights are under attack today. Here's why NRA members should take note."
October 25, 2011: Florida HB 179 and companion bill SB 356, which would have made it illegal to carry a "common pocket knife" on school grounds in Florida, have been "withdrawn." Knife Rights, along with our good friends at Florida Carry, shined a bright light on this unnecessary legislation and helped to derail it.
Staying on top of anti-knife legislation like this is a critical part of Knife Rights' mission. Monitoring bills in all 50 states and opposing these anti-knife bills takes substantial time and resources. We cannot do all this without your support. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE! Your contributions are needed more than ever. Please support Knife Rights Second Front Legislative Fund with a Contribution!
Ironic WSJ Article Features Knives NYC Citizens Can't Buy
May 14, 2011: How incredibly ironic that the May 14 edition of the Wall Street Journal, a New York City based newspaper, ran a piece in their "Off Duty" section titled "Stay Sharp." It commends to its readers five one-hand opening pocket knives, every one of which would be falsely deemed an illegal gravity knife by NYC District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.
April 7, 2011: As a result of Knife Rights' lobbying, the Nevada Senate Committee on Judiciary has removed all references to knives in SB171. This includes removal of the proposed new definition of "Dangerous Knives" as any knife under 2-inches long and prohibitions on possession of knives on school grounds.
Thanks to everyone who went responded to Knife Rights' action alerts and went online to voice their opposition to SB171. Your numerous comments in opposition were a key element to convincing the Senators to amend this bill.
Knife Rights will continue to keep an eye on SB171 to ensure that the anti-knife measures do not reappear in a floor amendment or in the House.
Knife Rights Foundation Legal Fund to Fight New York Persecution
The Knife Rights Foundation has successfully launched its Knife Rights Sharper Future Legal Fundâ„¢ with contributions from twelve industry leaders plus other donors, some anonymous. .
The Fund will be used to pursue litigation in support of knife owner civil rights, initially aimed at stopping New York County (Manhattan) District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr's illegitimate assault on one-hand opening and assisted opening knives in New York City.
"This initial backing by leaders of the knife industry recognizes that knife owners do not take their civil rights lightly, that we have the will, and the means, to fight back," said Knife Rights chairman Doug Ritter.
"I applaud these industry leaders who stepped up, as true leaders will in times of crisis, to jump-start the Fund."
Platinum-level $30,000 donors include Benchmade Knife Co., Blue Ridge Knives, Buck Knives, Columbia River Knife & Tool, Taylor Brands and United Cutlery.
Silver $15,000 donors are KnifeWorks.com and Wenger NA.
Smokey Mountain Knife Works is a Titanium donor at $7,500.
Bronze donors Ethan Becker and KA-BAR Knives each gave $5,000.
Additional money has been donated anonymously, including a $10,000 donation from an Internet knife retailer.
Said Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter, "Litigation is only one aspect of our efforts to protect your civil rights. With your continued support, you can be sure that Knife Rights will forge ahead with our legislative initiatives to enhance protections for knife owners in New York and throughout the U.S., with efforts to clarify or do away with restrictive knife laws and through our National Knife Law Preemption Campaign.
Read prior articles on the NYC DA Vance's persecution of Knife Onwners:
December 5, 2010: The Sunday edition of the New York Times featured a front page article on Knife Rights and efforts to remove or rationalize restrictive knife laws and enhance protection for lawful use of knives by honest citizens. While the reporter got a few facts incorrect, in general the article can be viewed as a positive, especially considering the source. (Note that this article was written prior to Knife Rights' first case in New York being settled with a dismissal.)
Knife Rights Foundation is leading the legal fight against New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr's assault on our pocketknives. Help us stop this insanity.
Doug Ritter, Chairman of Knife Rights, presented the Second Annual Sharper Future™ Awards at BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia, June 11, 2011.
Utah State Representative Ryan D. Wilcox was the recipient of the Freedom's Edge™ award given to honor a local, state or national elected representative who has demonstrated their commitment to a Sharper Future™ by leadership in the fight to protect or enhance our knife rights.
Cam Hughes and Jim Brown were the recipient of the Freedom's Point™ award to honor an individual citizen or citizens who demonstrated their commitment to a Sharper Future™ by leadership in the fight to protect or enhance our knife rights.
Claire Wolfe, a columnist for SWAT Magazine, was the recipient of the Freedom's Voice™ award given to honor a journalist or journalistic team in general media that has demonstrated a commitment to fair, accurate and insightful coverage on an issue involving knife ownership.
Rod and Peggy Bremer are the recipients of the inaugural Freedom's Guardian™ Award given to honor a production knife manufacturer or industry partner that has demonstrated their commitment to a Sharper Future™ by their support of the fight to protect or enhance our knife rights.
For full details, please click on "Read More >>>>" link below. You can view the award presentations in the video.
June 9, 2011: New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has signed into law the Knife Rights backed Knife Law Preemption Bill, HB 544. New Hampshire becomes the third state in the nation to enact Knife Law Preemption. The law takes effect in 60 days.
Congratulations to NH Rep. Jenn Coffey who sponsored this bill and who worked tirelessly with her colleagues, local advocates and our lobbyist to ensure the bill passed unanimously in both houses of the New Hampshire legislature. Rep. Coffey's efforts enacted a strong preemption law which will protect knife owners from senseless local ordinances well into the future.
March 24, 2011: Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert has signed the Knife Rights backed Knife Law Preemption Bill, HB 271, making Utah the nation's second state to enact Knife Law Preemption. Knife Rights would like to thank the bill's chief sponsor, Representative Ryan D. Wilcox and the Senate sponsor, Senator Allen M. Christensen, for their support. Knife Rights appreciates Governor Herbert's signing the bill promptly. We'd also like to thank the Utah Shooting Sport Council for all their support during our lobbying effort.
Knife Rights Chairman, Doug Ritter, said, "we are very pleased to have Utah become the second state in the nation to pass Knife Law Preemption, helping to lead the way to a sharper future. Knife Rights' National Knife Law Preemption Campaign is now gaining momentum and this law is further proof that Knife Rights is leading the charge in legislative initiatives to decriminalize knife possession and improve or eliminate restrictive knife laws."
Knife Rights would like to offer our special thanks to Blade HQ of Lehi, Utah, for their financial support for this effort and for testifying in support of the bill at the Legislature.
Support the fight for our freedoms with a Knife Rights t-shirt, mug or any of the other clothing or accessories from the new Knife Rights Online Marketplace on Cafe Press. 100% of the profits go to support Knife Rights.
KnifeRights.org serves as the web site for both the non-profit Knife Rights, Inc. and the charitable educational Knife Rights Foundation, Inc. The advocacy portions of KnifeRights.org are the sole responsibility of Knife Rights, Inc.
"From an American family addicted to self evident truth, logic and the American Way, Tribe Nugent salutes the efforts of Knife Rights. 
