Doug Ritter, Chairman of Knife Rights, presented Sharper Future™ Awards to three recipients at the inaugural Sharper Future™ Awards Breakfast at BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia.

New Hampshire State Representative Jenn Coffey was the recipient of the inaugural 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.

Evan Nappen was the recipient of the inaugural Freedom's Point™ award to honor an individual citizen who has demonstrated their commitment to a Sharper Future™ by leadership in the fight to protect or enhance our knife rights.

Sarah Buduson, a reporter for KPHO (CBS affiliate) in Phoenix, Arizona, was the recipient of the inaugural 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.

NH Rep. Jenn Coffey Receives Inaugural Freedom's Edge Award

June 5, 2010, Atlanta, GA: Knife Rights is pleased to announce that New Hampshire State Representative Jenn Coffey is the inaugural recipient of its Freedom's Edge™ Award which was presented at the Sharper Future™ Awards Breakfast on June 5th during BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Freedom's Edge™ Award is to be given annually 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.

Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, "Representative Coffey is being recognized for her courageous initiative and sponsorship of the New Hampshire Knife Rights Bill which legalized switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos for New Hampshire citizens." With support from Knife Rights, the bill passed by unanimous consent in both houses and was signed into law by Democratic Governor John Lynch. This makes New Hampshire one of the most knife-friendly states in the country. Said Ritter, "The Freedom's Edge™ Award represents a Sharper Future™ for all knife owners."

Coffey, who serves as an Emergency Medical Technician in her regular job, was also presented with a very special knife in recognition of and appreciation for her work. Renowned knifemaker and knife designer Rick Hinderer and Gerber Legendary Blades custom built a one-off Hinderer Rescue Knife with EMT Blue handles for Coffey (regular handles are red). The blade was signed by Hinderer, himself a fire fighter and EMT.

Click for Press Release

Evan Nappen Receives Inaugural Freedom's Point™ Award

June 5, 2010, Atlanta GA: Knife Rights is pleased to announce that Evan Nappen is the inaugural recipient of its Freedom's Point™ Award which was presented to Evan at the Sharper Future™ Awards Breakfast on June 5th during BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Freedom's Point™ Award is to be given annually to honor a individual citizen who has demonstrated their commitment to a Sharper Future™ by leadership in the fight to protect or enhance our knife rights.

Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, "Evan Nappen is being recognized for two significant contributions during the past year. Last summer, when U.S. Customs was attempting to redefine what a switchblade was in a manner that would have adversely impacted 80% of the knives sold in the U.S. today, Evan volunteered to develop Knife Rights' official response to U.S. Customs. He put together an excellent legal brief clearly exposing the fallacies and inconsistencies of Customs' position in a matter of a few short days." That effort eventually resulted in Congress passing an amendment to the Federal Switchblade Act exempting assisted opening and one-hand opening knives."

Doug continued, "Every legislative initiative requires someone local to lead the charge. In New Hampshire, it was Evan who worked long hours to rally support for the Knife Rights bill introduced by NH Representative Jenn Coffey. It was Evan who spearheaded the fundraising effort. It was Evan who organized the testimony in front of the committees. We would not have been so successful in New Hampshire if it weren't for the leadership and hard work of Evan Nappen." The Knife Rights Bill passed in New Hampshire legalizes switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos.

Click for Press Release

KPHO-TV's Sarah Buduson Receives inaugural Freedom's Voice™ Award

June 2, 2010, Gilbert, AZ -- Sarah Buduson of Phoenix Channel 5 (KPHO, a CBS affiliate) is the recipient of Knife Rights' first Freedom's Voice™ Award. The honor was formally announced at the Sharper Future™ Awards Breakfast on June 5th at the BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia. Since Buduson could not attend the Awards Breakfast, a video of her receiving the award from Ritter (recorded in Phoenix) was shown for attendees.

The annual Freedom's Voice™ Award will 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.

Knife Rights chairman Doug Ritter said, "Ms. Buduson is recognized for her reporting about our efforts to pass Knife Law Preemption (SB1153) in Arizona. Effectively and creatively illustrating the key issues, Ms. Buduson's 'Arizona Knife Rights Under Review In Legislature' presented a balanced perspective."

Knife Rights believes its goals to preserve and enhance the rights of knife owners make sense to most citizens, if given a fair airing.

"We honor Ms. Buduson for her journalistic integrity, for giving Knife Rights that fair airing we hope for, and for creatively engaging the issue," said Ritter.

View Ms Buduson's KPHO story online.

Click for Press Release