"I can't think of a more fundamentally useful, basic tool in existence today than a good quality knife."
"I whole-heartedly endorse the work of Knife Rights and support their mission! Join Knife Rights today."
-- R. Lee "The Gunny" Ermey
"Knife Rights is the Second Front in Defense of the Second Amendment. They are the premier grassroots organization protecting our right to own knives. Those who love freedom need Knife Rights, so please join me in supporting their mission."
-- Wayne LaPierre, Exec. VP & CEO, NRA
"Whether in town or on a hunt, a knife earns its place at my side as an essential tool. I am a knife user and proud to be one."
Most Important Knife Bill of the Year Signed Into Law
May 5, 2012: With encouragement from your phone calls, emails and letters, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has signed the single most important bill for knife owners and the knife industry to pass this year. With his signature, Knife Rights' drafted SB432 establishes knife law preemption in Georgia, effectively repealing draconian restrictions on knife ownership, sales and manufacturing in cities like Atlanta, home of BLADE Show, the world's largest knife show.
Please note that this new Knife Preemption Law does not go into effect until July 1, 2012, so BLADE Show attendees should remain cautious this year as the old laws remain in effect until July 1st.
For full details on Georgia's Knife Preemption Law, click on Read More >>>>
Third Annual Knife Rights Sharper Future Awards Breakfast at Blade Show - Buy Tickets Now & Save $5
Conservative political commentator, author, columnist and self-proclaimed knife user, S.E. Cupp will be the keynote speaker at Knife Rights' Third Annual Sharper Future™ Awards Breakfast to be held June 9th during BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia (at the Waverly Renaissance Hotel). Cupp’s talk is titled, "Leave My Knives Alone! A New York Girl’s Reflections on Life, Liberty and the Lunacy of Anti-knife Laws."
We will also be recognizing the first annual Carry a Knife - Save a Life™ Award Winner, Jason Hobbs, who will be accompanied by his son Rivers. Rivers survived a Mountain Lion attack earlier this year thanks to quick action by his father using his Spyderco Caly 3.5 pocket knife.
Ticket prices go up June 1 and June 5 is the deadline for buying tickets.
Freedom's Steel™ - Knife Rights' Custom Collaboration Knife Supporting NRA-ILA and the 2nd Amendment
SOLD for $8,500!
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' legislative
efforts in fighting the Second Front in Defense of the Second Amendment™. Freedom's
Steel™ was conceived of, and sponsored by, Knife Rights expressly to
benefit NRA-ILA.
Freedom's Steel™ will be a featured auction item at the
NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction to be held at the NRA Annual Meeting in St. Louis,
Missouri, the evening of April 13, 2012. Proceeds from the sale of Freedom's
Steel will support NRA-ILA efforts to protect the Second Amendment.
Important Knife Bill Becomes Law in Washington State
March 29, 2012: Washington Governor Chris Gregoire signed Knife Rights supported HB2347 into law this evening at a signing ceremony at the capitol. This important legislation makes Washington more friendly to knife owners and manufacturers by clarifying the definition of so-called "spring blade" knives (switchblades) so as to clearly make assisted-opening knives legal in the state.
This clarification allows for sale, manufacture and possession of assisted-opening knives in Washington. HB2347 also makes it legal to manufacture switchblade knives in the state of Washington. In addition, it would expand the existing law enforcement exemption for possession of switchblades to members of the military and full-time first responders.
While Knife Rights does not believe there should be any distinction between citizens and government employees when it comes to possessing life saving tools, we also understand political reality. We will be working with Washington state residents and officials to change this in the future when the political landscape is more favorable to such a rational move forward.
Thanks to all of you who called and emailed throughout the process and helped to make this happen!
We would like to recognize Mike Vellekamp, one of the owners of Fox Knives USA, who spearheaded the effort to get this bill passed. If it were not for his initiative and hard work, things would not be moving forward for knife owners and manufacturers in Washington state.
Alaska Knife Rights Bill Passes House Unanimously - Senate Next
March 6, 2012: The Alaska House of Representatives has unanimously passed HB55 "Definitions of Gravity Knives and Switchblades," referred to by sponsor Rep. Mark Neuman as the "Knife Rights Bill." HB55 would clarify state law on the subject of assisted-opening and one-hand opening knives to ensure they are not considered gravity knives or switchblades, currently banned under Alaska statute. At Knife Rights' request, the bill was amended to include Knife Law Preemption which would make knife laws consistent across Alaska. HB55 is now in the Alaska Senate where it has been referred to the Judiciary Committee.
February 17, 2012: HB2584, introduced by Kansas state Representative Gary Hayzlett at the request of Knife Rights, was heard Thursday before the Kansas House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice. Knife Rights Director of legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, testified in support of HB2584, which would repeal the existing Kansas ban on switchblades, dirks, and daggers and which also enacts knife law preemption.
South Carolina Knife Law Preemption Bill Introduced
February 14, 2012: At Knife Rights request, South Carolina State Representative Mike Pitts has introduced HB4609 which would add knives in the state's existing firearms preemption law. This is another opportunity for Knife Rights to advance our Second Front in Defense Of the Second Amendment.
Knife Rights v. NYC / DA Vance Lawsuit Update
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!
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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."
Knife Rights Foundation Legal Fund to Fight New York Persecution
The Knife Rights Foundation has successfully launched its Knife Rights Sharper Future Legal Fund™ 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.
We will also be recognizing the first annual Carry a Knife - Save a Life™ Award Winner, Jason Hobbs, who will be accompanied by his son Rivers. Rivers survived a Mountain Lion attack earlier this year thanks to quick action by his father using his Spyderco Caly 3.5 pocket knife.
