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Knife Rights Washington State Update

Ammoland — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:42:57 +0000

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- On January 25, Knife Rights’ Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, gave testimony at the state capitol in Olympia, Washington, in support of two similar pro-knife bills.

Senate Bill 6179 and House Bill 2347 would clarify the definition of a switchblade so as to not include assisted-opening knives that are currently adversely interpreted as being illegal in the state.

These bills also make it legal to manufacture spring-assisted and switchblade knives in the state of Washington. In addition, they would expand the existing law enforcement exemption for possession of “spring blade knives” (switchblades) to members of the military and full-time first responders.

Knife Rights worked with Washington knife manufacturers, Fox USA, Blade-Tech, and SOG, to make necessary changes to ensure the bills would accomplish their aims. Although testimony was cut short because there was no opposition and a packed agenda, Todd was also able to get on the record in both houses stating KR’s strong support for these measures.

Initially, HB 2347 was drafted with a provision which would allow Concealed Pistol License (CPL) holders to carry switchblades, while the Senate bill did not include this provision. We are disappointed that this provision did not survive the hearing. Unfortunately, it was made clear that if it was retained, the bill would not pass out of committee. Ultimately, HB 2347 was amended in executive session to strike the provision allowing CPL holders to possess automatic knives (the bill has not yet been updated on the House web site, but you can see it if you go into the committee materials).

On Monday, January, 30th, the amended version of HB 2347 passed the House Judiciary Committee with a unanimous vote. Now it moves to the Rules Committee. Meanwhile SB 6179 has been scheduled for Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Session for today, where it is expected to be amended in like manner and likely pass out of the committee.

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.

Meanwhile, the current bills are a huge step forward for Washington knife owners who might be subject to prosecution for assisted-opening knives and for knife manufacturers located in the state. Passage of either of these bills would create skilled, well-paid jobs, generate tax revenue for the state and increase the number of knives that say “Made in America.”

We would like to recognize Mike Vellekamp, one of the owners of Fox Knives USA, who spearheaded the effort to get these bills going. If it were not for his initiative and hard work, things would not be moving forward for knife owners and manufacturers in Washington state.

If you live, work or travel in Washington state, please contact BOTH your Senator and Representative in Olympia and ask them to support SB 1234 and HB 2347, respectively. Click here to locate your legislators, or the legislators who represent where you work or travel.

About:
Knife Rights (www.KnifeRights.org) is America’s Grassroots Knife Owners Organization, working towards a Sharper Future for all knife owners. Knife Rights is dedicated to providing knife owners an effective voice in public policy. Become a Knife Rights member and make a contribution to support the fight for your knife rights. Visit www.kniferights.org

Tags: Knife Rights, Washington

Good and Bad Knife Bills in Washington State

Ammoland — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:27:38 +0000

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- 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).

Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rather, will be in Olympia on Wednesday to testify in support of these bills on behalf of Washington’s knife owners. The bills are a big incremental step forward in a state where any knife with a spring assisted blade has been interpreted as being an illegal knife and where Washington knife manufacturers, such as Fox Knives USA and SOG, were prohibited from even manufacturing these knives in the state, sending those jobs to other states with more rational knife laws, including neighboring Oregon.

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.

If you live, work or travel in Washington state, please contact BOTH your Senator and Representative in Olympia and ask them to support SB 1234 and HB 2347, respectively and ask your Representative to help kill HB 1006 for good. Click here to locate your legislators, or the legislators who represent where you work or travel.

Tags: Knife Bans, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Washington

Knife Rights v. NYC / DA Vance Knife Lawsuit Update

Ammoland — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:27:08 +0000

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- This past Friday, Knife Rights filed its response to New York City’s Motion to Dismiss in our Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit against New York City and District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr.

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 and expansion of the New York state statute on gravity knives, claiming that somehow the fact that these knives do not require two hands to open is part and parcel of the statute: “If a person is in possession of a knife that can be opened with centrifugal force and locks in the open position by means of a device without the use of the other hand, it is a gravity knife,…” (emphasis added).

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.

To quote from the introduction in Knife Rights’ papers: “The City seeks judgment on the pleadings for lack of standing and for failure to state a claim. To do so, the City embarks on a fanciful journey that selectively ignores the extensive evidence…Plaintiffs have provided…”

“This is an unconstitutionally vague application of the gravity knife law. The gravity knife law does not provide adequate notice that knives that are designed and intended not to open by gravity or centrifugal force might be prohibited, and the operative test employed by the NYPD is entirely subjective. It is literally possible for one knife to be simultaneously legal and illegal, and a person has no means of conforming his or her conduct to the law’s expectations.

The two documents make for interesting, perhaps even entertaining, reading:

Knife Rights Response in Opposition to New York City’s Motion to Dismiss
New York City’s Motion to Dismiss

Tags: Gun Bans, Knife Owner Discrimination, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Lawsuits, New York City

Indiana Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Switchblade Bill SB06

Ammoland — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:21:06 +0000

Indiana Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Switchblade Bill SB06

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- On Thursday of this past week the Indiana Senate voted overwhelmingly, 46-1, to pass SB06.

At Knife Rights requested initiative 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.

Next stop is the Indiana House of Representatives (the timing of which is up in the air right now with the boycott by Indiana House Democrats and related partisan political bickering that has virtually shut down the House).

We’ll let you know as soon as this bill is moving in the House.

Tags: Indiana, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, SwitchBlades

Happy New Year From Knife Rights

Ammoland — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:07:49 +0000

Happy New Year From Knife Rights - Looking forward to a new year.

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- All of us at Knife Rights hope this post finds you in good spirits to start the new year.

This year promises to be crucial in the fight to retain our freedoms and we are excited at the prospect of continuing our successful campaign to defend and expand our right to own and carry the tools we find so useful.

There is no getting around the fact that our rights are under attack in many places by those for whom personal freedom is something to be feared, something to be restricted as a scapegoat for those unwilling to address fundamental causes of criminal behavior. On the other hand, election years also present unique opportunities to advance our cause and Knife Rights has positioned itself to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise.

From the perspective of making progress on knife issues, 2011 was improved over 2010 and we expect 2012 to be much better yet. We definitely advanced the cause in the vast majority of issues we engaged last year and with your continued support we can count on making even bigger progress this year.

Last year saw us pass Knife Law Preemption in two more states and blocking anti-knife laws from being passed in two others. We filed a Federal Civil Rights lawsuit against New York City and DA Cyrus Vance, Jr., to stop their persecution of knife owners and retailers and we supported legal battles in three other states.

As the new year just dawns we have a Knife Law Preemption bill running in Pennsylvania that will also eliminate bans on switchblades and other banned knives and in Indiana we have a bill filed to repeal the ban on switchblades. We are close to filing bills in three other states and we are working with legislators in four more states on pro-knife legislation.

All this and the new year is not even a day old.

This is just the hint, really, of what’s in store for this year. We have big news coming in the next few weeks and months as plans we have been working on for many months come to fruition. Knife Rights is poised to take a big slice out of our opponents this year, and it is your support that makes this possible.

We wish you and yours the very best for this new year; may you enjoy health and prosperity. May your edges never dull and may you and your tools enjoy the respect and freedom they are both due.

Doug Ritter
Chairman / Executive Director
Knife Rights, Inc.
Knife Rights Foundation, Inc.
www.KnifeRights.org

Tags: Doug Ritter, Holidays, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org

An Indiana Senator’s Holiday Gift for Knife Owners

Ammoland — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:07:20 +0000

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Indiana State Senator Jim Tomes has a holiday gift for us, Senate Bill SB06 which would repeal Indiana’s antiquated and irrational ban on the sale and possession of switchblades.

The bill is supported by Senator Brent Steele, Chair of the Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters Committee that will hear the bill, and Senator Johnny Nugent.

Knife Rights will be present to testify in support of SB06 at the bill’s first hearing on January 10th. If you live, work or travel in Indiana, please contact your Senator and ask them to support SB06.

You can locate your Senator, or the Senator who represents where you work or travel, here: http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup/

Tags: Indiana, Knife Bans, Knife Owner Discrimination, Knife Rights, SwitchBlades

Australia Tightens Noose on Knife Owners

Ammoland — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:03:20 +0000

KNIFE CONTROL - You Can Fight It

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Knife Rights was organized to ensure that we here in the United States don’t lose our freedoms as others have around the globe.

In many other countries the knives we own and use daily are severely restricted or banned outright. Australia, which already imposed severe and often arbitrary restrictions on importing many knives has tightened their restrictions even further to ban fully 80% of the knives sold in America today.

The latest list of restricted and illegal “weapons“ items subject to control from Australian Customs and Border Protection includes “Single handed opening knives that have a blade recessed into the handle that can be opened with gravity, inertia or centrifugal force (including parts).”

We have been advised by our friends in Australia that this will cover any knife which can be opened with a thumb stud, thumb hole or flipper.This goes a step beyond traditional bans on so-called “flick” knives or a knife with a locking blade or one-hand opening, but not both.

If you don’t believe there are people and politicians working to implement bans such as these here in the U.S., you are not paying attention. Just look at what has happened in New York City and Boston. Knife Rights is the only grassroots organization working to stop such efforts.

Help Knife Rights protect your rights and freedoms. Join Knife Rights or make a donation (see below) TODAY!

Tags: Knife Bans, Knife Owner Discrimination, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org

Knife Bigots On Boston City Council Approve Anti-Knife Ordinance

Ammoland — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:14:40 +0000

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- The Knife Bigots on the Boston City Council have approved an anti-knife ordinance that licenses retailers of knives with a blade 2 inches or longer.

A revision of the original proposal exempts “cutlery” that is defined as “utensils used as tableware or used for cutting and eating foods.”

Regardless, this ordinance is still flawed in many respects,beyond the fact that it will be ineffective at its stated aim of reducing crime.

Knife rights still opposes this ordinance as unneeded, irrational and likely, illegal. You can read the ordinance here: http://bit.ly/vFD3Sy and the committee’s report and intellectually dishonest rationalization for the ordinance here: http://bit.ly/uiyF0L.

The next step is up to Boston Mayor Tom Menino, who can veto this insanity.

ACTION: Please email and call Mayor Menino at mayor@cityofboston.gov and 617-635-4500 and express your opposition to this ordinance. Click here for a model letter to the Mayor Menino. Modify the letter to suit your style, but be respectful and polite or it will not be effective.

We have no more than 15 days from this past Wednesday, and he could sign it sooner, so please, write or call TODAY!

S. E. Cupp Supports Knife Rights
Knife Rights is very pleased to welcome political commentator, author and columnist S.E. Cupp to our community. S.E first wrote on the subject of New York DA Cyrus Vance, Jr’s persecution of knife owners and retailers in a column back in July. She recently became a Knife Rights member and encourages others to join and support Knife Rights:

“A knife is more than just a utility tool. In a pinch, it can also serve as a defensive weapon, clearly protected by the Second Amendment. Disarming citizens never makes sense except to criminals who prey on those disarmed and politicians who cannot grasp the concept of freedom and liberty.”
“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.”
“Leave my knives alone! Knife Rights is standing up for our freedom. Join me in this fight; join Knife Rights today!”
– S.E. Cupp

Knife Rights is Making a Difference
It has been a busy year here at Knife Rights where we are certainly making a difference with your support.

This year we passed Knife Law Preemption in two more states and blocked anti-knife laws from being passed in two others. We filed a Federal Civil Rights lawsuit against New York City and DA Cyrus Vance, Jr., to stop their persecution of knife owners and retailers. We’re fighting an anti-knife ordinance in Boston and we’re supporting legal battles in three other states.

Whew! It’s not easy making a difference, but what a sense of accomplishment that you, as a Knife Rights supporter, can share in!

But, that’s not all! We have a knife law preemption bill running in Pennsylvania that will also eliminate bans on switchblades and other banned knives. We are close to filing bills in three other states. We are working with legislators in five more states on pro-knife legislation.

Times are tough, we get that. But, we’re still asked, “how can I help Knife Rights?”

Here’s the bottom line: fighting for a Sharper Future™ takes money. This is the time of year when many people make special gifts to non-profits to support issues that are important to them.

I hope you’ll consider Knife Rights important enough to include us in your year-end giving. We’re making a difference, but we can make a bigger difference with your help. Together we can preserve the freedoms we believe in for the next generation.

Every state where we run a bill costs thousands of dollars. Every time we have to stop a stupid legislator from passing another anti-knife bill takes thousands of dollars. Every court battle costs thousands of dollars.

Freedom certainly is not free when you’re talking about our political and legal system. Repealing restrictive knife laws or defending our civil rights in court does not happen overnight-and it can’t be done without money. This is the price of freedom.

Knife Rights needs your financial support. We need you to help us oppose and end restrictive knife laws that infringe on our freedoms to carry and use these versatile tools.

You can help us make a difference with a year-end donation or a monthly commitment (even a gift of $10 per month is a tremendous help).

You can donate using our online donation page at: www.KnifeRights.org/donate or to mail your donation just print out the page and mail to the address provided.

You can also call our office to donate or to set up a monthly automatic donation. Call 602-476-2702 or our toll-free number is 866-889-6268.

You can make a difference!

Tags: Knife Bans, Knife Owner Discrimination, Knife Rights, Massachusetts

Knife Rights vs. Boston Knife Bigots

Ammoland — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:59:16 +0000

Knife Rights vs. Boston Knife Bigots

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- The hearing in Boston last Friday on the proposed anti-knife ordinance “Providing For The Licensing Of Stores That Sell Certain Knives” was a TOTAL FARCE!

We’ve coined the term “knife bigots” to describe these councilors, and others, who simply hate our freedom and our tools and staged this farciful hearing as part of their effort to railroad through this ordinance.

The only councilors at the hearing were the ordinance’s sponsors.

To spare you the agony of listening to the entire hour and 49-minute long low-quality video (can be viewed at http://1.usa.gov/sCvC13), we’ve put together an “entertaining” summary video with highlights and some commentary. This should give you some insight into their skewed view of knives and our rights. Click the image below to view the video.

Please pass along this article link or the video to your knife owner friends. This is how they view knives overseas and why we formed Knife Rights to prevent this from happening in America.

This is the Anti’s vision for knife owners in America, if we do not oppose them at every turn.

Todd Rathner, Knife Rights Legislative Director, led off the testimony opposing the ordinance, with supporting testimony from Jim Wallace of Gun Owner’s Action League (GOAL), the NRA’s Massachusetts affiliate, and a statement from American Knife & Tool Institute read by an AKTI representative. You can read Knife Rights’ official submitted testimony at www.KnifeRights.org/Boston_Statement_11-18-2011.pdf . Todd’s actual testimony was somewhat different as he responded to the preceding testimony by the Councilors and their witnesses.

Watch the video above and hear some of their more outrageous comments, such as, “No law is too onerous…when it comes to the sale of these weapons.” At one point, Councilor Michael Ross appears to be encouraging lawsuits against knife manufacturers for the illegal knife sales made by some convenience stores!

The knives that the Boston City Council is hoping to control will still be available outside city limits, over the internet, and at stores not covered by the ordinance as well as many other places. And, let us not forget the ubiquitous availability of kitchen knives in every household. The ordinance will only result in the hindrance of law-abiding citizens and penalizing honest business owners.

Please contact your Councilor IMMEDIATELY and POLITELY express your opposition to this unnecessary and discriminatory proposal: www.cityofboston.gov/citycouncil/councillors or you can call 617-635-4500 and ask for your Councilor. Additionally, you can email Mayor Tom Mennio at mayor@cityofboston.gov or call his office at 617-635-4500.

Additional details on this ordnance at: http://bit.ly/vtymHc

(Thanks to Knife Rights supporter Adam Francis of Equip 2 Endure for putting together this video.)

Tags: Knife Owner Discrimination, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Knives, Massachusetts, Pocketknives, Second Amendment

American Knife & Tool Institute Heads to Boston for Knife Ban Public Hearing Friday

Ammoland — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:24:57 +0000

American Knife & Tool Institute Heads to Boston for Knife Ban Public Hearing Friday

American Knife & Tool Institute

WASHINGTON, DC --(Ammoland.com)- A public hearing is scheduled by the Boston City Council for Friday, November 18, 2011 and AKTI will have representatives there to attend and provide expert testimony against a proposal that would require convenience stores that sell knives to obtain a license.

While new language to the current proposal is expected prior to the meeting, it is anticipated to still target convenience stores in an effort that Boston City Council members mistakenly believe would improve public safety.

“AKTI is aggressively fighting this proposal, but we need help getting word out to the small convenience store owners about this proposed restriction and potential penalty for not complying,” noted Jan Billeb, AKTI Executive Director, “and to individuals that their ability to purchase a knife where they prefer could be affected.”

AKTI is asking people in Boston to contact their City Councilperson (617) 635-4500 and Mayor Menino’s Office (617) 635-4500 and voice their concerns. Anyone that sells knives in the city of Boston, does business in Boston, or is a concerned Bostonian should make that call TODAY.

AKTI’s Position:
Based on the current language of the proposal before the Boston City Council, the American Knife and Tool Institute is opposed to and does not see that any changes could improve the proposal to a point that it would not continue to have an adverse impact on its members and those entities that its members do business with as well as individuals who desire to purchase knives legally.

Our members produce quality safe products that are part of daily life of people all throughout the world. These products are responsibly sold and purchased at many different retail outlets or through dealers.

AKTI and its members believe that the current regulations around the sale of knives go above and beyond what is needed in the City of Boston. AKTI does not in any way support or endorse the illegal sale of knives or any illegal use of a knife or tool under current law in the City of Boston.

Background information on the Boston situation is available on the AKTI website at AKTI Heads to Boston Again.

This is the second time that AKTI has gone to battle in Boston for the knife community. Details about the 2001 effort to restrict knife carry can be found in the News & Updates section at www.AKTI.org.

Tags: AKTI, American Knife and Tool Institute, Knife Bans, Knife Rights, Massachusetts, Second Amendment

Boston Anti-Knife Hearing this Friday

Ammoland — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:03:31 +0000

Boston Anti-Knife Hearing this Friday
Hearing Nov. 18 on Proposed Boston Anti-Knife Ordinance.

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Hearing scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18, at 11:00 AM. Please join us in voicing your opposition to this anti-knife, anti-business and anti-freedom ordinance.

Meeting details here: http://1.usa.gov/v2FNb6

The proposed Boston ordinance “PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSING OF STORES THAT SELL CERTAIN KNIVES” is now up for a full hearing and vote.

If you are a Boston citizen, please contact your Councilor IMMEDIATELY and POLITELY express your opposition to this unnecessary and discriminatory proposal: www.cityofboston.gov/citycouncil/councillors or you can call 617-635-4500 and ask for your Councilor.

Additionally, you can email Mayor Tom Mennio at mayor@cityofboston.gov or call his office at 617-635-4500.

Additional details on this ordnance at: http://bit.ly/vtymHc

Tags: Knife Bans, Knife Control, Knife Laws, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org

Knife Rights Files Response to NYC DA Vance’s Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit

Ammoland — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:09:38 +0000

Knife Rights Files Response to NYC DA Vance’s Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Knife Rights filed its response to NYC District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr’s Motion to Dismiss in our Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit against New York City and DA Vance.

The DA’s motion was expected and is pro forma in a case such as this. The Knife Rights legal team, led by attorney David Jensen, have done an exemplary job blowing the DA’s arrogant, ill-conceived and baseless motion to pieces.

To quote from the introduction: “Defendant District Attorney Vance (the “DA” or “DA Vance”) seeks to dismiss the Complaint for lack of standing and failure to state a claim. However, Plaintiffs clearly have standing because the DA’s actions result in substantial impairments to Knife Rights’ resources, and also because they impact the individual Plaintiffs’ ability to purchase lawful knives.

Moreover, the Complaint plainly states a claim, and consideration of the merits (as the DA implores) shows that the “standard” that Defendants use to apply the State laws at issue to common folding knives is wholly subjective and indeterminate. It is literally possible for one knife to be simultaneous legal and illegal, and a person has no means of conforming his or her conduct to the law’s expectations. While the DA’s motion necessarily fails because it relies on selectively construing the facts in the DA’s favor, rather than in the Plaintiffs’ favor (as Rule 12(b)(6) mandates), a consideration of the merits shows how far off the mark the DA’s self-serving characterizations are.”

The two documents make for interesting reading, if you are so inclined.

Knife Rights Response in Opposition to Motion to Dismiss
DA Vance’s Motion to Dismiss

Bear in mind that each side is limited to 25 double-spaced pages in the body of the document, and the manner of doing so is strictly prescribed in many respects, so crafting a response is a challenge when there is so much that could be said, but only limited space to say it. A special thanks to those companies who have been major donors to the Sharper Future Legal Fund and who also submitted declarations in support of Knife Rights’ standing as a plaintiff: Benchmade, Columbia River Knife & Tool, KA-BAR, KnifeWorks and Taylor Brands.

This is but the first step in the first round. There is a whole river of water to pass under this bridge and many hearings to be held as this lawsuit slowly works its way through the process. You can help support this effort to protect our rights with a tax-deductible contribution to the Sharper Future Legal Fund.

If you are arrested for possession of an “illegal knife” in New York, please contact Knife Rights at: nycity@KnifeRights.org

Tags: Doug Ritter, Knife Bans, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Lawsuits, New York, Second Amendment

2012 National Knife Law Preemption Campaign

Ammoland — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:53:24 +0000

2012 National Knife Law Preemption Campaign

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Knife Law Preemption prevents cities and towns from passing a patchwork of unreasonable knife laws and repeals existing local knife laws.

Knife laws should be consistent across any given state so that you don’t have to fear senseless prosecution just for crossing an arbitrary political line with your knife. Knife Rights chairman Doug Ritter recently did a video, (viewed above) to explain what Knife Law Preemption is all about.

You can also view the video on the Knife Rights YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/user/KnifeRights

Knife Law Preemption is the essential foundation for improving knife laws. Without strong preemption, passing good knife laws at the state level can be easily undone by more restrictive local ordinances. (Read more about Knife Law Preemption here.)

Due to the efforts of Knife Rights, in 2010 the Arizona legislature enacted the nation’s first Knife Preemption Law. Utah and New Hampshire followed suit earlier this year. Now we are looking ahead to the 2012 legislative sessions.

Knife Rights has launched preliminary efforts is as many as 10 states for 2012, but if we are going to be successful we need YOUR help. Passing Preemption in a state costs Knife Rights thousands of dollars. Every dollar you give helps to move things along and build momentum so that we can eventually pass Knife Law Preemption in all the states. For a Sharper Future tomorrow, we need your financial support TODAY! Please make a contribution NOW!

Tags: Doug Ritter, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Preemption Laws

Boston Proposes Anti-Knife Ordinance

Ammoland — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:43:58 +0000

Boston Proposes Anti-Knife Ordinance
The proposed Boston ordinance “PROVIDING FOR THE LICENSING OF STORES THAT SELL CERTAIN KNIVES” has been presented to the city council.

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- We might wish it were just a silly Halloween prank, but these politicians are serious, and that makes it a scary issue.

This proposal to license so-called “convenience stores” in order to be able to sell knives two-inches and longer doesn’t accomplish anything but to cost businesses additional hassle and money, which might well succeed in their ultimate goal of making it impossible for law-abiding citizens to buy a knife at their local convenience store.

That is discriminatory against both citizens and these businesses. These businesses may well decide it is too much trouble and expense to bother with knives anymore, which is obviously what these politicians want. But, this will not make a dent in crime or violence, their supposed excuse for this stupidity. This proposal is wrong on so many levels. You can review the poorly conceived and drafted proposed ordinance here: www.kniferights.org/BostonOrdinance.pdf. Try not to choke upon reading it.

You can pretty much guarantee that when politicians are talking about blaming inanimate objects for crime, that it is only the honest citizens and businesses that will be impacted by their proposed solution. Nobody wanting a knife will have much difficulty buying one someplace else, either at non-convenience (inconvenient?) stores, because most other stores except ill-defined “convenience” stores are exempted from this licensing (or perhaps not), or via the internet or from a somewhat less convenient convenience store across the city line. I recall living in a dry town some years ago. It was easy to find the town line; you just looked for the liquor stores with the big parking lots. No matter what these politicians do, they cannot and will not stop knives from being sold to those who might use them in criminal activity and no regulation of knife sales will stop violence.

Boston code already restricts sales of knives over two-inches long to minors and these, like all retailers, already must be licensed to do business in the city. Knife Rights continues to lead the fight against this absurd and unnecessary proposal. Our lobbyist is working hard to prevent what has happened with guns in Boston to be repeated with knives.

When Knife Rights stands up against an anti-knife proposal like this, even if it is not in your backyard, we need your support because if we lose, then we all lose, and when we win, we all win. No matter the result, the other side has to understand there will be no more easy rides when they try to take away our knives and our rights. Standing up for our rights does not come free, please consider donating to help pay for this effort. We need your donations and we need your voice to be heard by the Mayor and City Council of Boston.

If you are a Boston citizen, now it time to contact your Councilor and POLITELY express your opposition to this unnecessary and discriminatory proposal: www.cityofboston.gov/citycouncil/councillors or you can call 617-635-4500 and ask for your Councilor. Additionally, you can email Mayor Tom Mennio at mayor@cityofboston.gov or call his office at 617-635-4500.

Tags: Knife Bans, Knife Control, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Massachusetts, Second Amendment

Knife Rights v. NYC / DA Vance Lawsuit Update

Ammoland — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:33:14 +0000

Knife Rights v. NYC / DA Vance Lawsuit Update

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- It still isn’t safe for honest law-abiding citizens with a perfectly legal knife in their pocket to walk the streets of New York City, or take the subway.

Knife Rights’ legal team continues to help new clients who have been arrested and continues to get their cases dismissed, the latest just last week.

But, that still leaves these victims of NYC District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr’s persecution out of pocket a good deal of money, their valuable time (to say nothing of sleepless nights) and the persecution continues.

That’s why we filed a Federal Civil Rights lawsuit back in June.

Knife Rights’ lawsuit against DA Vance and the City of New York continues to move forward. The State of New York has been dropped as a defendant after it determined that the events occurring in New York City are strictly a New York City issue, rather than an issue of state law. That is good for us.

Recently, the City filed its response to our Complaint, and as expected, DA Vance filed a motion to dismiss the suit. We are presently working to respond to the DA’s motion.

The City does not appear to dispute the lawsuit’s basic claim that NYPD officers are using New York’s “gravity knife” law to prosecute possession of common and ordinary folding knives. As anticipated, it appears that both the City and the DA intend to argue that the “gravity knife” law encompasses one-hand-opening and assisted-opening folding knives, and hence, that the law is not “impermissibly vague” as we claim. That circular argument is no surprise; after all, that’s the root of the lawsuit and those are the issues we are prepared to go to trial on.

A magistrate judge has been assigned, which will help move things along quicker (that being a relative term considering this is federal litigation) and Judge Ellis has scheduled a court conference for early November. We are hopeful that we will be able to begin discovery from the City and DA Vance after this conference. No doubt there will be potholes aplenty along this road, but that’s how it works when you go toe to toe with one of the most powerful cities and DA in the country. We’re up to the fight.

In the meantime, never carry your knife clipped to your pocket in New York City. Even when covered by a jacket, simply moving the jacket aside to get to a wallet has been enough to get folks arrested. Always ensure your knife is completely concealed at all times.

If you are arrested for possession of an “illegal knife” in New York, please contact Knife Rights at: nycity@KnifeRights.org

Tags: Knife Laws, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Lawsuits, New York, Second Amendment

American Knife & Tool Heads to Boston Again

Ammoland — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:52:27 +0000

American Knife & Tool Heads to Boston Again

American Knife & Tool Institute

BOSTON, MA --(Ammoland.com)- Once again, the City of Boston is in the center of the American Knife & Tool’s efforts to stop anti-knife and anti-business laws from harming the knife community.

AKTI has been monitoring recent discussions in the Boston City Council about issues with knives being illegally sold to minors. A public hearing was held in September, focusing on the idea of licensing retailers to curb knife violence, that heard public comments from concerned individuals, businesses and organizations.

After doing an analysis of the situation and key persons, AKTI hired a Boston firm to represent the interests of the knife industry and knife owners to oppose licensing of knife retailers. We believe that efforts to require additional licenses to retailers would restrict businesses’ ability to sell to Massachusetts citizens and limit what Bostonians could purchase locally.

After receiving a draft of the Knife Licensing Ordinance offered by Councilors Michael Ross and Tito Jackson, AKTI issued a Call to Action October 13, 2011, with AKTI President Bill Raczkowski noting:

“The timing is right to let the Mayor of Boston and the City Council know that this proposal does nothing to improve public safety for the citizens of Boston or stop illegal sales to minors.”

AKTI is aggressively fighting this proposal but, as Raczkowski stated, “we need the people that work on the ground in Boston to contact their City Councilperson (617) 635-4500 and Mayor Menino’s Office (617) 635-4500 and voice their concerns. If you sell knives in the city of Boston, do business in Boston, or are a concerned Bostonian, make that call today.”

“This Call to Action is just the first step in our effort to ensure that this anti-knife proposal does not become a reality,” added Raczkowski. Additional information about this Call to Action and future updates can be found at www.AKTI.org/alerts.

In 2001, a Boston Councilman, introduced a bill that would have banned carrying any knife with a blade longer than 2-1/2 inches. AKTI successfully worked with the Council and after testimony by AKTI members, was able to ensure that individuals could carry the knife of their choice. More details about that 2001 situation can be found at on the AKTI website at www.AKTI.org/news/boston-revised-ordinance-passes.

ABOUT AKTI: The American Knife & Tool Institute has been the advocacy voice of the knife industry and all knife users, protecting individuals who rely on knives on a daily basis from restrictive and unreasonable knife laws, since 1998. AKTI is recognized worldwide as a respected, credible and accurate source of knife legislation information, legislative input, and industry information. We have a successful, proven record of accomplishments in making effective changes to restrictive knife laws and promoting reasonable and responsible laws and enforcement.

Contact Jan Billeb
Executive Director
American Knife & Tool Institute
Phone | 307-587-8296
Email | akti@akti.org

Tags: AKTI, American Knife and Tool Institute, Knife Bans, Knife Rights, Massachusetts

Reflections on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

Ammoland — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:19:24 +0000

Reflections on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- For my generation, today is the 10th anniversary of our “date which will live in infamy.”

I ask all of you to pause and remember the fallen heroes and victims of that fateful day, as well as their families, friends and associates.

This is a day to reflect, as well, on what makes our country great and why some would wish us harm. As imperfect as it may be, we enjoy a degree of freedom that is unrivaled anywhere in the world, the envy of many. For those who cannot abide by the freedom that we enjoy and what that represents, we remain a target for their misguided and murderous zealotry.

Today we remember. Today we grieve yet again. Today we rededicate ourselves once more to preserving our freedom against all who would take it from us. Today, as you read this, despite renewed concerns for terrorist activity, I am flying to Washington, D.C., riding the train and the subway, on Knife Rights business. We will not let the terrorists win.

We honor those lost that terrible day by renewing our commitment to their sacrifice. We must never forget those lost, we must never stop fighting for justice and honor.

Scott Bach, a Knife Rights Advisory Board Member, was at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks, in a law enforcement capacity. After personally experiencing the devastation, he authored an intense and deeply moving essay capturing the experience. We offer it below in tribute.

9/11 Never Forget

THE VIEW FROM GROUND ZERO
By Scott L. Bach
One of the most profound and disturbing nights of my life was spent involved at the Ground Zero site shortly after the 2001 World Trade Center attacks. What I experienced there changed me fundamentally and forever. Though words cannot convey the magnitude and intensity of that night, I condensed my experience into a short essay at the time, to afford others a chance to step directly into my shoes and get a sense of what it was like. That essay is reproduced below, in solemn tribute to the upcoming anniversary of 9/11 and the memory of those who perished.
______________________________________________________________
It was a clear night in New York City. Three weeks to the day after the World Trade Center bombings, the fires were still burning. The smoke was toxic and acrid and made me choke. It permeated my lungs and my clothing, and I would taste it in the back of my throat for days. But it did not matter. I did not matter. The only thing that mattered was the landscape before me. It consumed me and took control of me with magnetic force. I could focus on nothing else. I stood at the edge of Ground Zero, one foot from where the North Tower used to stand. I blinked and stared as what I saw penetrated my being.
The scene was surreal. Mountains of rubble. Twisted, melted buildings. Debris the size of small homes dangling precariously from the structures left standing. Cathedral-like outer shells of the Towers’ lower floors, still standing, eerily backlit by the array of work lights. An undulating ocean of debris, unrecognizable, gnarled and twisted, charred, and seemingly endless. Where there was once life, now only death and destruction. The deafening chorus of pile drivers and cranes, bulldozers and dump trucks, performing their somber tasks. The workers, so many of them, silent and reverent as if on sacred ground, steadily doing what was required of them.
I stood transfixed, moving only my head and eyes to shift the view. “There are more than three thousand people buried there,” I thought to myself. “More than three thousand.” Among them, somewhere, was my friend Glenn Winuk, 40. A volunteer fireman who worked as a lawyer only blocks away, Glenn left the safety of his office to rush into the World Trade Center to help others escape. He would never return. He was such a good person: likeable, smart, warm and good-natured. I see him in my mind’s eye, inside the burning Towers, helping others to safety without thought for himself. I can almost hear the words he would have spoken as he realized that the building was collapsing around him.
The events of September 11 replayed in my mind and my senses heightened as I took in the aftermath. The devastation was far worse than anything portrayed in the media. It was vast, incomprehensible in scale, reminiscent of a nuclear holocaust in every detail. The cleanup ahead seemed insurmountable, like trying to move a sand dune with tweezers.
“What kind of person conceives such a thing,” I thought to myself, “and what does he hope to accomplish by the killing of innocent people and the destruction of cities?” I shifted my gaze and it occurred to me that the holy war we keep hearing about might simply be a rationale, to disguise what in reality is the manifestation of evil on planet Earth. For many Americans, evil has been a purely intellectual concept, far removed from daily life. Now it has been made tangible on our front doorstep. It is here, it is real and it is undeniable. It wants to erase us from the planet. And it is not going away.
Ground Zero lingers as a monument to our complacency, to our false belief that evil does not exist tangibly in this world, that we are immune from it, and that we do not need to be vigilant and prepared to deal with it.
There is an expansive field of energy rising from Ground Zero. It sweeps you into it like a tidal wave and you cannot stop it. Within it, you have no identity, only clear comprehension of what is at stake, and absolute certainty about what must be done. Our mission is clear. It is irrefutable. It is undeniable. There is nothing to study. There is nothing to debate. These forces of evil must be stopped, or we all may perish. So help us, God.
Scott L. Bach, Esq. is an NRA Board Member, President of the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs and a Knife Rights Advisory Board Member.

Tags: 911, Knife Rights

KNIFE CONTROL – Boston City Council Holds Knife Control Hearing

Ammoland — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:43:15 +0000

KNIFE CONTROL – Boston City Council Holds Knife Control Hearing

KNIFE CONTROL - Boston City Council Holds Knife Control Hearing

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- On Thursday, September 8, 2011, the Public Safety Committee of the Boston City Council held a public hearing concerning the potential licensing of businesses that sell knives.

According to the supporters of the proposed license, the action is needed as a means to address the “ever increasing knife violence in Boston.”

Knife Rights was represented by Jim Wallace, Executive Director of Gun Owners’ Action League, who was also representing his own organization.

The politicians attending were clearly firm in their conviction that action must be taken, some scapegoat must be found. There were grieving parents and their genuine heart wrenching stories of lost loved ones. Public safety officials offered supportive testimony for the proposal.

For anyone who attended the infamous Gun Control hearings here a decade ago, the only difference was that the word “guns” was replaced with “knives.”

The testimony and statements during the public hearing were frighteningly reminiscent of past gun control hearings.

“Why would we allow any corner store to sell these dangerous weapons (knives).” “Selling knives does not support families.” “We must do everything we can to restrict access to these dangerous weapons.” “Why would anyone need a knife with a blade more than two inches long.”"Knives are fine if you need them for work, but employers should require they be left on the job.”

To anyone who has been involved in the Second Amendment battle in the last few decades it sends a shiver up your spine, because this is exactly how gun control efforts were initiated. To make matters more frightening, law enforcement officials testified that “the modern way of approaching these issues is to go after the source of the items rather than the criminals themselves.”

Wallace urged the City Council to take careful and meaningful steps in addressing the problem of violent crime.

“I urge the City Council to review what it is about to do and reflect on the failures of gun control,” said Wallace.
“Over a decade ago I had to testify before committees in the state house with grieving families in the background. Now I sit before you a decade later with grieving families behind me again. If you proceed down this path and get it wrong again, ten years from now we will likely repeat this scene yet again.”

Wallace also reminded the councilors that these stores are already licensed by the city, for which they pay a fee and are subject to city oversight as to their compliance with the law, and that there is already an ordinance on the books that makes it illegal to sell a knife with a blade two inches or longer to anyone under age 18. He reiterated that there is no need for new regulation.

Even in high security of prisons rudimentary knives (shivs) are readily available, which shows the futility of trying to control the source of a such an easy to make weapon, as opposed to penalizing law-abiding citizens and making it more difficult for them to obtain the versatile tools used by millions every day at work, home and while recreating.

The City Council took no action on the matter during the hearing. It is likely that it will be some weeks before a draft ordinance is presented to the City Council as a whole.

In the meantime, we will work to try to ensure that history does not repeat itself. We have an unusual advantage in this situation to know what the future will bring if we follow this path of knife control proposed by Boston. We know without any doubt that citizens’ rights will be trampled. Most certainly grieving families will still be burying loved ones because politicians would appear to prefer going after the source of an inanimate object rather than the human criminal element – the source of the crime. The solution offered up today is no solution at all.

If you are a Boston citizen, here is a link to the councilors’ webpages where you can find a link to contact them and POLITELY express your outrage: http://www.cityofboston.gov/citycouncil/councillors

We urge all Boston area Knife Rights members to contact the Boston City Council and express their opposition to this measure.

Your membership and support allows Knife Rights to oppose efforts such as this to restrict our freedoms. If you are not yet a member, please join Knife Rights and encourage your friends to join today!

Tags: Knife Control, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Second Amendment, Self Defense

Boston Proposes to License Knife Sales Restricting Your Second Amendment

Ammoland — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:39:58 +0000

Boston Proposes to License Knife Sales Restricting Your Second Amendment Rights

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- As we warned, this Thursday, September 8, 2011, the Public Safety Committee of the Boston City Council will be holding a hearing with the intention of licensing the sale of knives in the city of Boston.

Below is the official stated purpose of the hearing:

That the appropriate committee of the Boston City Council hold a hearing to examine requiring the sale of knives to be licensed by the appropriate police agency that would monitor, regulate and license businesses selling knives. Representatives from the Boston Police Department, Inspectional Services Department, and other interested parties shall be invited to attend.

The meeting will be at Boston City Hall, Ianella Chambers, 5th Floor on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 10 am.

We urge all Boston area Knife Rights members to contact the Boston City Council and express their opposition to this measure. Currently citizens need a license to possess pepper spray. In a year or so this measure could lead to licensing citizens to possess a basic pocket knife.

As noted in the article linked below, existing Boston law already prohibits knives with a blade two inches or longer from being sold to anyone under age 18. A number of stores were fined as a result of a recent sting operation for illegally selling knives to underage persons. There is no indication that there has been any factual connection made between violence committed with knives in the city and these retailers, or that licensing would actually help the situation any more than simply enforcing the existing law on the books.

Knife Rights has a representative in Massachusetts who will be attending this meeting, but if you live in the area and can attend as well, the stronger show of opposition we can generate, the better.

Video: www.bit.ly/p0TUmg
Article: http://bo.st/qBwsaZ

Tags: Knife Rights, Knives, Massachusetts, Second Amendment, Self Defense

Boston City Councilors Propose Licensing Knife Retailers

Ammoland — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:27:13 +0000

Boston City Councilors Propose Licensing Knife Retailers

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- As previously reported, the Massachusetts legislature was looking at proposing a law that would make purchasing a knife nearly as difficult as purchasing a firearm, which to date has not gained any traction in part due to Knife Rights’ efforts.

Now, anti-knife activists have turned to the city of Boston. Two Boston members of the City Council have proposed that knife retailers be licensed in a purported effort to prevent sales of knives to minors.

Knife Rights has a representative on the ground in Massachusetts and will be monitoring this proposed ordinance in case it grows legs. There is no indication that there has been any factual connection made between violence committed with knives in the city and these retailers, or that licensing would actually help the situation any more than simply enforcing the existing law on the books.

Video: www.bit.ly/p0TUmg
Article: http://bo.st/qBwsaZ

Tags: Knife Bans, Knife Rights, Massachusetts, Self Defense

Dog Days of Summer Busy at Knife Rights

Ammoland — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:22:06 +0000

Dog Days of Summer Busy at Knife Rights

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- We want all those affected by Irene this past weekend to know our thoughts and prayers are with you as you work to get your lives back to normal.

When viewing the damage Irene has left in its wake, it just reinforces how important knives and edged tools are to our survival and recovery after any disaster.

It may be the dog days of summer, but unlike some people who have been playing golf, for us here at Knife Rights there’s been plenty of work to do. We have been working non-stop all summer on both our Federal Civil Rights lawsuit against New York City and the New York District Attorney, as well as on our legislative efforts for next session.

In New York City, honest citizens are still being arrested on the streets and subways for carrying perfectly legal knives. In one particularly outrageous case an electrician was arrested standing on the front step of the home he was working at with his knife in his tool belt. He joined another person in the back seat of an unmarked police car that had been arrested for a so-called “illegal knife” just down the street. Our legal team is currently assisting a number of these victims even as our civil rights lawsuit is slowly moving forward.

Never carry your knife in New York City clipped to your pocket. Even when covered by a jacket, simply moving the jacket aside to get to a wallet has been enough to get folks arrested. Always ensure your knife is completely concealed at all times. If you are arrested for possession of an “illegal knife” in New York, please contact Knife Rights at: nycity@KnifeRights.org

The lawsuit to stop this persecution of honest New Yorkers carrying perfectly legal knives, filed in June, is at its early stages and proceeds apace. As to our legislative agenda, including our National Knife Law Preemption Campaign, we are working on numerous states to either pre-file bills for next session or line up sponsors to file at the earliest opportunity. We are laying the groundwork for a record breaking legislative year.

We cannot do all this without your support. As we have said before, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. Your contributions are needed more than ever. Please support Knife Rights with a Contribution!

Meanwhile, we hope to see many of you at two events coming up. Please stop by the Knife Rights booth/table and say hello:

Usual Suspects Network Gathering in Las Vegas, NV, September 2-3 www.usngathering.com
Knifemakers’ Guild Show in Louisville, KY, September 15-18 www.knifemakersguild.com/show.shtml

Tags: Knife Bans, Knife Rights, Lawsuits, Massachusetts, Self Defense

Careful Where You Carry Pocketknives – Firearms Preemption Was Only 1/2 The Answer

Ammoland — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:51:28 +0000

Careful Where You Carry Pocketknives – Firearms Preemption Was Only 1/2 The Answer

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- So, you have your Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License (CWFL) and you know that Florida preempts all firearms laws throughout the state so that you don’t accidentally break some ridiculous local ordinance and end up in the hoosegow for carrying your weapon.

You have a license from the state and we fought hard to make preemption enforceable last legislative session!

Well, you are half right. Your pistol won’t get you in trouble but your pocket knife could put you away for a MINIMUM of six months, cost you a cool grand, and yeah… they’ll take your knife too.

But wait! I have a license from the state to carry that! Yep you do, but not from Miami-Dade County and your assisted opening pocket knife just violated their laws.

See: Sec. 21-14. – Dangerous weapons; penalty; trial court.

(a) Concealed dangerous weapons. It shall be unlawful for any person to wear under his clothes, or concealed about his person, or to display in a threatening manner any dangerous or deadly weapon including, but not by way of limitation, any pistol, revolver, slingshot, cross-knuckles or knuckles of lead, brass or other metal, or any bowie knife, razor, dirk, dagger, or any knife resembling a bowie knife, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon, except as hereinafter provided.
(b) Switch blades. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer to sell, display, use, possess or carry any knife or knives having the appearance of a pocket knife, the blade or blades of which can be opened by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, or other mechanical contrivance. Any such knife is hereby declared to be a dangerous or deadly weapon, within the meaning of subsection (a) and shall be subject to forfeiture to the County as provided by subsection (c).
…
(e) Penalty. Every person who is convicted for a violation of subsection (a) shall for first conviction thereof be punished by imprisonment for not less than six (6) months and by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00); for a second or subsequent conviction of a violation of subsection (a) such person shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one (1) year and by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).

Come on Sean, nobody gets arrested for a pocket knife! Pulino’s chef Nate Appleman arrested for pocket knife.

These Florida pocket knife charges still go all the way to SCOTUS ever after the Florida Supreme court said that knives with a blade length of 3.75″ or less are common pocket knives. See Bunkley v. Florida, 538 US 835 – Supreme Court (2003)

This gives us a bad mix of a patchwork of local laws and people thinking that they have a license that lets them carry the weapons that the license it good for statewide. We need a preemption statute to cover our other carry weapons and knives.

Florida Carry had just started kicking around language for a bill when out of the blue, Florida Carry Board Member Richard Smith ran smack in to our friends at Knife Rights. They just passed knife preemption in Arizona and are looking for help the rest of the states.

Time for round two of the preemption fight in FL. Hold on tight, it’s gonna’ be a bumpy ride!

About:
Florida Open-Carry.org is a grass roots organization of Florida residents who endeavor to raise awareness in the community of our second amendment rights. Our primary goal is to help educate others about their right to legally open carry and advocate for repeal of the general ban on open carry in Florida. Florida is one of only seven states where open carry is generally illegal. Visit: www.open-carry.com

Tags: Florida, Florida Carry, Gun Banners, Knife Bans, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Knives, Pocketknives, Second Amendment

Utah State Representative Ryan D. Wilcox Receive Knife Rights Freedom’s Edge Award

Ammoland — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 17:42:00 +0000

Utah State Representative Ryan D. Wilcox Receive Knife Rights Freedom’s Edge Award

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Knife Rights is pleased to announce that Utah State Representative Ryan D. Wilcox is the recipient of its Freedom’s Edge™ Award which was presented at the Knife Rights Sharper Future™ Awards Breakfast on June 11th during BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia. Rep. Wilcox represents District 7 in Utah.

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.

Representative Wilcox is recognized for his leadership in sponsoring Knife Rights’ Knife Law Preemption Bill in Utah. After hearing about the patchwork of knife ordinances throughout Utah, Representative Wilcox introduced Knife Rights’ knife preemption legislation. Rep. Wilcox worked tirelessly with his colleagues, local advocates and our lobbyist to ensure the bill passed with overwhelming majorities in both houses of the Utah legislature. Rep Wilcox successfully prevented hostile amendments which would have gutted the bill and saw it through to final passage.

His efforts enacted a strong preemption law which will protect knife owners from senseless local ordinances well into the future.

Rep. Wilcox’s leadership made it possible for Utah to become the second state in the nation to enact Knife Law Preemption. The Freedom’s Edge Award represents a Sharper Future™ for all knife owners.

Preemption prevents the creation of, or eliminates, a patchwork of ordinances and rules which serve to confuse or entrap those traveling within or through the state.

A person traveling in a state without preemption laws could be charged with a violation of local law when they have no intention of violating the law. Preemption ensures citizens only have to know and abide by state law.

Tags: Awards, Civil Rights, Gun Activists, Knife Rights, Second Amendment

Cam Hughes & Jim Brown Receive Knife Rights Freedom’s Point Award

Ammoland — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 17:38:07 +0000

Cam Hughes & Jim Brown Receive Knife Rights Freedom’s Point Award

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Knife Rights is pleased to announce that Cam Hughes and Jim Brown are the recipients of its Freedom’s Point Award which was presented at the Knife Rights Sharper Future Awards Breakfast on June 11th during BLADE Show in Atlanta,

Georgia. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Brown are principals of Blade HQ, a knife retailer based in Utah.

The Freedom’s Point Award is to be given annually to honor an individual citizen or citizens who has/have 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, “Cam and Jim are being recognized for stepping up to support Knife Rights’ Knife Law Preemption Bill in Utah, which support made it possible for Utah to become the second state in the nation to enact Knife Preemption. Legislative opportunities sometimes require quick action to take advantage of windows of opportunity and when that happened in Utah, it was an equally quick response by Cam and Jim that helped us to achieve success.”

Preemption prevents the creation of, or eliminates, a patchwork of ordinances and rules which serve to confuse or entrap those traveling within or through the state.

Tags: Awards, Civil Rights, Gun Activists, Knife Rights, Second Amendment

SWAT Magazine Columnist Claire Wolfe Receives Knife Rights Freedom’s Voice Award

Ammoland — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 17:25:18 +0000

SWAT Magazine Columnist Claire Wolfe Receives Knife Rights Freedom’s Voice Award

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Claire Wolfe, a columnist for SWAT Magazine, is the recipient of Knife Rights’ 2011 Freedom’s Voice Award. The honor was announced at the Knife Rights Sharper Future Awards Breakfast on June 11th at the BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia.

The annual Freedom’s Voice Award honors a journalist or journalistic team in the general or non-knife industry 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. Wolfe is recognized for her Enemy At The Gate column titled ‘Knife Rights Under Attack’ that appeared in the May 2011 issue of SWAT Magazine. Her column provided an insightful summary of the challenges facing knife owners in America and what is being done to counter these challenges. The value of a columnist’s call to action can sometimes be difficult to judge, but not so in this case. New Knife Rights memberships surged as soon as the magazine landed.”

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. Wolfe for her journalistic integrity, for providing a factual accounting of the issues, giving fair coverage of all those involved and for the effectiveness of her call to action,” said Ritter.

Ms Wolfe’s column may be viewed below:

Knife Rights Under Attack

Tags: Awards, Civil Rights, Gun Activists, Knife Rights, Second Amendment

Rod and Peggy Bremer Receive Knife Rights Freedom’s Guardian Award

Ammoland — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 06:50:26 +0000

Rod and Peggy Bremer Receive Knife Rights Freedom’s Guardian Award

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Knife Rights is pleased to announce that Rod and Peggy Bremer are the recipients of its inaugural Freedom’s Guardian Award which was presented at the Knife Rights Sharper Future Awards Breakfast on June 11th during BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mr. and Mrs. Bremer are founders and owners of Columbia River Knife & Tool, a knife manufacturer located in Tualatin, Oregon.

The Freedom’s Guardian award honors 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.

Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, “Rod and Peggy are being recognized for their support of Knife Rights from its inception. Their initial pledge of financial support when we first conceived of Knife Rights helped launch the organization. In the ensuring five years, Rod and Peggy have always been there, often giving more than requested or even more than I might have hoped for in a moment of wishful thinking. They have been a staunch industry supporter and Rod has often provided wise and sound counsel. His point of view, as a manufacturer and as a freedom-loving American, is very much appreciated.”
“Knife Rights is succeeding far out of proportion to its size in part due to the industry support we have received. We sincerely appreciate those in industry who help us get so much done that is critical to their customers, our members, and the industry as well. This award is a way to publicly acknowledge and honor these guardians of our freedoms,” said Ritter.

Knife Rights (www.KnifeRights.org) is America’s Grassroots Knife Owners Organization, working towards a Sharper Future for all knife owners. Knife Rights is dedicated to providing knife owners an effective voice in public policy.

About:
Knife Rights has quickly grown to become America’s largest grassroots knife owners organization. Invest in a Sharper Future. Become a Knife Rights member and make a contribution to support the fight for your knife rights. Visit www.kniferights.org

Tags: Awards, BLADE Show, Columbia River Knife & Tool, Knife Rights, Shooting Industry News

Knife Rights Sues New York City

Ammoland — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:56:23 +0000

Knife Rights Sues New York City

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Knife Rights today filed a federal civil rights lawsuit to stop New York City from arresting law-abiding citizens carrying common pocket knives.

The lawsuit challenges New York State law on “gravity knives” and “switchblades,” and New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s attempt to mischaracterize the most widely-owned pocket knives in America as contraband.

The case seeks a judicial determination that the law is unconstitutionally vague as applied to these ordinary pocket knives.

“District Attorney Vance is trying to advance his political career by exploiting a vague state law to demonize common pocket knives,” said Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter. “In the process, hundreds of law abiding knife owners are being arrested and Vance has extracted nearly $2 million from retailers to avoid prosecution on bogus charges. This lawsuit intends to put a stop to Vance’s abusive and unconscionable civil rights violations.”
“One-hand opening pocket knives are legal tools, used and carried every day by millions of law-abiding citizens for work, recreation and self-defense,” said Ritter. “Shame on D.A. Vance for demonizing common tools and turning honest citizens into criminals for purely political ends.”

If you are a retailer or individual who has been targeted for the sale or possession of so-called illegal knives (one-hand opening and assisted opening knives inappropriately claimed to be gravity knives or switchblades), we urge you to immediately contact Knife Rights at: email nycity@KnifeRights.org or call toll-free: 1-866-889-6268.

Joining Knife Rights as plaintiffs are two private citizens, John Copeland, an internationally acclaimed artist, and Pedro Perez, an artist and fine art dealer, both New York City residents. The defendants are New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., the New York State Attorney General, and the City of New York. Knife Rights is represented by attorney David Jensen. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Click here to download the Federal Complaint as filed.

Knife Rights is supported in this lawsuit by the Knife Rights Foundation Sharper Future Legal Fund whose major donors include at Platinum level: Benchmade Knife Co., Blue Ridge Knives, Buck Knives, Columbia River Knife & Tool, Taylor Brands and United Cutlery; Silver level: KnifeWorks.com and Wenger NA; Titanium level: Smokey Mountain Knife Works; Bronze level: Ethan Becker and KA-BAR Knives. Please support those who support your knife rights.

We need your help to fight DA Vance. Donate today to support Knife Rights Sharper Future™ Legal Fund

Tags: Knife Laws, Knife Rights, Lawsuits, New York, Second Amendment

New Hampshire Governor Signs Knife Rights Preemption Bill

Ammoland — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:39:44 +0000

New Hampshire Governor Signs Knife Rights Preemption Bill

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- 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.

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.

Rep. Coffey won Knife Rights’ Freedom’s Edge award last year for her successful effort to repeal New Hampshire’s prohibitions on switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos.

Knife Rights’ National Knife Law Preemption Campaign started successfully last year in Arizona. Earlier this year Utah enacted knife law preemption. Preemption prevents the creation of, or eliminates, a patchwork of ordinances and rules which serve to confuse or entrap those traveling within or through the state. A person traveling in a state without preemption laws could be charged with a violation of local law when they have no intention of violating the law. Preemption ensures citizens only have to know and abide by state law.

Preemption allows Knife Rights to focus its legislative efforts at the state level where it can more easily succeed in improving the legal environment for knife owners or opposing efforts to impose further restrictions on knives.

Tags: Knife Bans, Knife Laws, Knife Rights, New Hampshire, Preemption Laws, Second Amendment, Self Defense

Ironic Wall Street Journal Article Features Knives NYC Citizens Can’t Buy

Ammoland — Sun, 15 May 2011 16:54:21 +0000

Ironic Wall Street Journal Article Features Knives NYC Citizens Can’t Buy

Wall Street Journal Article Features Knives NYC Citizens Can't Buy

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- How incredibly ironic that the May 14 edition of the Wall Street Journal, a New York City based publication, 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.

Click to go to the article online

In a letter to the editor, Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter, wrote:

Editor, Wall Street Journal:
The irony of your May 14 article “Stay Sharp” is that a New York City based publication has commended to its readers pocket knives that are virtually impossible to purchase in the city because they have been wrongly demonized by New York County D.A. Cyrus Vance, Jr.
Vance has targeted these common, practical and perfectly legal one-hand opening pocket knives as part of a campaign to persecute and prosecute law-abiding knife owners and retailers, falsely claiming them to be illegal “gravity knives.” Vance has charged many people carrying knives indistinguishable from those shown in your article with 4th Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, punishable by up to a year in jail. Vance has also targeted retailers selling these knives, seizing their inventory and intimidating them into paying involuntary “contributions” to a Vance-administered slush fund to avoid prosecution,–to the tune of almost two million dollars.
Unjustly persecuting honest citizens and businesses over a common, everyday tool is an extraordinary waste of taxpayer dollars that clogs up the courts and costs the city badly needed income and business. Virtually all the criminal charges brought in this scam end up being dismissed. You would think that Vance could find enough real crime in the city worthy of his attention, rather than trying to turn innocent citizens into criminals by picking on one of man’s oldest and most useful tools.
Respectfully submitted,
Doug Ritter
Chairman and Executive Director
Knife Rights

We need your help to fight DA Vance. Donate today to support Knife Rights Sharper Future Legal Fund

Join or Renew your Knife Rights membership today! http://bit.ly/2QEVMP

Doug Ritter
Chairman / Executive Director
Knife Rights, Inc.
Knife Rights Foundation, Inc.
www.KnifeRights.org
Email:dritter@KnifeRights.org

Tags: Doug Ritter, Knife Bans, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, New York, Second Amendment

Stop by Knife Rights Booth at BLADE & you could WIN a $10,000 Knife

Ammoland — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:24:13 +0000

Stop by Knife Rights Booth at BLADE & you could WIN a $10,000 Knife

Willian Henry BLADE Show 30th Anniversary Knife

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- William Henry Studio will give away a $10,000 one-of-a-kind knife to a lucky BLADE Show ticket holder during the 30th Annual BLADE Show June 10-12 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta and all you have to do to enter is to stop by the Knife Rights Booth #139.

The one-of-a-kind knife is William Henry’s B12 pattern with stunning engraving by Don Patch and a spear-point blade of Hornet’s Nest damascus forged by Mike Norris. Diamonds are set into the thumb stud and lock-release button.

Patch’s copious scroll engraving is inlaid with numerous “sprouts” of 24k gold and oval scenes on both sides of the handle. The mark side reads “BLADE SHOW” in 24k gold with “30th Anniversary” on a scroll banner. The flip side is a scene of a bladesmith hammering a 24k-gold blade, with 24k-gold “sparks” flying in all directions.

Every BLADE Show attendee is eligible to win the knife. Just stop by the Knife Rights Booth #139 (we’re in the row to the left and behind the KA-BAR booth you’ll see when you first come into the exhibit hall), fill out an entry form and drop it in the tumbler. The drawing will be the Saturday afternoon of the show at the William Henry booth.

William Henry’s Matt Conable explains, “[This knife] will be donated at the show to help our industry organizations spread the word about the challenges we all face as designers, makers, manufacturers, purveyors, collectors, and users of edged tools. We believe it is about all of us, together, working towards a common vision of advancing and protecting our American knife heritage.”

While at the Knife Rights booth you can also enter to win the Knife Rights 2011 BLADE Show Fundraising Knife, a custom one-off Rick Hinderer XM-18 worth $3,400 or Join or Renew your Knife Rights membership to be eligible to win some fantastic prizes including knives autographed by Ted Nugent and R. Lee “The Gunny” Ermey, as well as a variety of knives, firearms and other valuable prizes.

Attendees can also enter the 30th Anniversary William Henry Knife Giveaway at the Custom Knife Collectors Association and American Knife and Tool Institute booths, giving you a potential three opportunities to win.

For more information on the giveaway and BLADE Show, visit www.bladeshow.com.

Tags: BLADE Show, Hunting Gear, Knife Manufactures, Knife Rights

How To Win a Knife Fight – Lessons Learned in the Crucible of the Second Amendment

Ammoland — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:09:14 +0000

How To Win a Knife Fight – Lessons Learned in the Crucible of the Second Amendment
Featuring Sandy Froman, Past President of the NRA

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Sandy Froman, past president of the National Rifle Association and one of the nation’s foremost Second Amendment activists, will be the keynote speaker at Knife Rights’ Second Annual Sharper Future Awards Breakfast to be held June 11th during BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia (at the Waverly Renaissance Hotel).

Froman’s speech is titled: “How To Win a Knife Fight–Lessons Learned in the Crucible of the Second Amendment”

Besides her continued involvement with NRA as a member of its Board of Directors with a lifetime appointment to the Executive Council, she is a past president and a current trustee of The NRA Foundation. Sandy was also recently elected chairwoman of the

Joe Foss Institute, which is dedicated to promoting and teaching patriotism, public service, integrity and an appreciation for America’s freedoms to our nation’s youth. Sandy is a highly respected attorney with a private civil law practice in Tucson, Arizona.

Sandy Froman, Past President of the NRA

Froman didn’t shoot her first gun until she was in her early 30′s. However, she favored knives from an early age and used her grandfather’s pocketknife to whittle balsa wood kite frames into bows and arrows for hunting tomatoes in her mother’s garden. Her love for knives was discouraged by her mother, but encouraged 25 years later by her late husband Bruce Nelson, who was a member of the American Bladesmith Society and studied knifemaking with Bo Randall and Dan Dennehy.

Sandy owns a number of highly collectible knives and appreciates them as both tools she uses daily and when she hunts, and as fine examples of American craftsmanship. She believes that rights that are not exercised cease to exist, and so carries her knives as well as her guns, wherever the law allows. Sandy was Knife Rights’ first Cornerstone Charter Member and has supported the organization since before it was officially launched in 2006.

Sandy is a passionate, high energy and dynamic speaker who has traveled world-wide speaking in defense of our rights. Those attending Knife Rights’ Sharper Future Awards Breakfast are in for a treat. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear and meet Sandy Froman.

Click here for more about Sandy Froman.

Tickets to Knife Rights’ Sharper Future Awards Breakfast are limited, so get yours today before they are all gone. Tickets will NOT be available at BLADE Show or at the door. Buy your tickets NOW! Tickets are only available online from Knife Rights.

Thanks to our sponsors for helping us to recognize the contributions of our award winners.

Tags: Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Sandy Froman, Second Amendment

Straight Talk from The Gunny on Our Knife Rights

Ammoland — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:27:27 +0000

Straight Talk from The Gunny on Our Knife Rights

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- I can’t think of a more fundamentally useful, basic tool in existence today than a good quality knife.

Invented and used by primitive man, it is one of the few tools from the Stone Age that is still in use today.

A good knife is a must have in any emergency survival kit worth it’s salt. No one in their right mind would go camping, hunting or fishing without a good sharp blade or two on his belt and in his pocket. How would we clean or trim our nails?

R. Lee "The Gunny" Ermey

If there were ever a law passed restricting our use or ownership of knives, I would not obey it. Restricting the rights of Americans to carry and utilize knives would rank right up there on the dumb scale with restricting the use of other tools such as hammers and wrenches.

I would like to know who the Alfred E. Neuman think-a likes are who come up with these ridiculous ideas. Whoever they are, we do need to keep sharp objects out of THEIR reach.

I whole-heartedly endorse the work of Knife Rights and support their mission. I detest the fact that such an organization is even necessary in the United States of America.

R. Lee “The Gunny” Ermey

Join or Renew your membership between now and the end of BLADE Show, online or at the NRA in Pittsburgh or at BLADE Show in Atlanta, and you will be eligible to win a SOG Creed fixed blade knife signed by R.Lee “The Gunny” Emrey (donated by SOG).

Tags: Knife Rights, R. Lee Ermey, Second Amendment, Self Defense, The Gunny

Nevada Dangerous Knives SB171 Amended to Remove All Knife References

Ammoland — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:10:11 +0000

Nevada Dangerous Knives SB171 Amended to Remove All Knife References

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- 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.

This is a big victory for knife owners and all citizens of Nevada.

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.

We need your support to continue to oppose anti-knife legislation such as this. Donate today to support Knife Rights.

Tags: Knife Bans, Knife Laws, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Nevada, Self Defense

Nevada Anti-Knife Bill Alive Again – HELP STOP IT NOW

Ammoland — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:51:03 +0000

Nevada Anti-Knife Bill Alive Again – HELP STOP IT NOW
It’s Alive—Again! Stop Nevada Anti-Knife Bill

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- The Nevada Senate Committee on Judiciary has placed the anti-knife bill, SB171, on their Thursday morning agenda.

Knife Rights’ lobbyist is headed to Carson City to work against this bill, BUT WE NEED THE SENATORS TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Go to this link to vote Against this bill: http://bit.ly/i224SF

The Nevada Sheriff’s and Chief’s Association proposed amending the bill in an attempt to ensure that “it does not apply to a person who is carry (sic) a legal knife on campus for a legitimate reason,” limiting it only to minors and students. However, the proposed amendment language is itself problematic and, in our view, would not solve the basic problem, that there is no need for such state regulation of this issue and it sets very bad precedent. The amendments would make the bill a bit better for knife owners, but certainly do not improve the bill enough to stop opposing it.

We must continue to put pressure on Senators to stop this bill. Please vote “Against” SB171 and provide comments to support your opposition: http://bit.ly/i224SF

Below are some examples of the type of comments you can leave. PLEASE BE POLITE and RESPECTFUL! This makes all the difference in how these comments are received and we need them to count. Put these you’re your own words to carry the most weight. A continued strong showing of public opinion against this bill will help us defeat it.

If you are not a resident of Nevada, but do business or recreate there, make sure to include that in your comments. The Senators only care about their voters and those who can affect their voters. Other comments and votes will be ignored for the most part.

* There is no reason to add “dangerous knife” to NV statutes because there are already definitions for dangerous weapons in Nevada law.
* The legislature should only legislate against bad behavior not the victimless possession of common, everyday tools. * Schools already have broad authority to regulate what does or does not come onto their campuses.
* Many rural school children carry a small pocket knife for everyday chores, should they really face criminal charges for this?
* A two inch bladed knife may easily fit on a key ring. Do we really want to criminalize that?
* If you are a UNION member: I am a member of xxxx Union and am very concerned that this law will jeopardize me personally because I carry a knife every day for work.

You can read the proposed bill here: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/76th2011/Bills/SB/SB171.pdf

An overview:

Nevada State Senator Sheila Leslie (D, Washoe 1) has introduced SB 171, to add to the list of weapons that the state prohibits in schools, including a so-called “dangerous knife,” meaning, in her bill, any knife with a blade 2 inches or longer. Among the many problems with this bill, this new definition of a so-called “dangerous knife” would set very bad precedent in Nevada state law

Sen. Leslie’s bill adds to the list of weapons that the state prohibits in schools, including a sword, axe or hatchet, machete and so-called “dangerous knife,” meaning in her bill, any knife with a blade 2 inches or longer. Nevada is one of the few rational states where common pocket knives are not mandated to be treated as weapons prohibited by the state from schools. Schools are free to determine for themselves what restrictions, if any, they will make.

Apparently not everyone in Nevada is willing to allow schools to deal with this issue as they see fit.

We need your support to oppose legislation such as this. Donate today to support Knife Rights

Tags: Knife Bans, Knife Laws, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Nevada, Self Defense

Utah Knife Law Preemption Bill Signed by Governor

Ammoland — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:09:52 +0000

Utah Knife Law Preemption Bill Signed by Governor
Utah Preemption Bill Signed.

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- 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.”

The bill becomes law 60 days after adjournment of the Legislature. You can read the text of the bill here: www.kniferights.org/hb0271.pdf

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. Knife Rights cannot pass legislation alone, we need the support of our members and the knife community to pay for lobbying and other expenses. Blade HQ not only support Knife Rights as a Corporate Member, but when the opportunity arose to move this legislation in Utah, they were was willing to step up and help make it a reality.

We urge you to support companies like Blade HQ that are helping to make a difference and protect or improve the law to benefit all knife owners.

Passing legislation such as this takes money, plain and simple. Help support out efforts to improve the laws for all knife owners. Please donate today to support Knife Rights: www.bit.ly/fMccv9

Join or Renew your Knife Rights membership today! www.bit.ly/2QEVMP

Doug Ritter

Chairman / Executive Director

Knife Rights, Inc.

Knife Rights Foundation, Inc.

www.KnifeRights.org

Email:dritter@KnifeRights.org

Tags: Knife Laws, Knife Rights, Preemption Laws, Self Defense, Utah

Knife Law Preemption Bill Introduced in New Hampshire

Ammoland — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:47:17 +0000

Knife Law Preemption Bill Introduced in New Hampshire

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- New Hampshire State Representative Jenn Coffey, last year’s winner of the inaugural Knife Rights Freedom’s Edge award given to honor her efforts which led to repeal of New Hampshire restrictions on Switchblades, has introduced a Knife Rights backed Knife Law Preemption bill in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

Read HB 544: http://bit.ly/f5v2HU

Rep. Coffey’s bill simply adds “and knives” in three places to the existing New Hampshire firearms preemption law.

These two bills are the first of a number of legislative initiatives that Knife Rights is working on for this year.

Please make a contribution to the Second Front Legislative Campaign which supports our National Knife Law Preemption Campaign and other legislative initiatives to decriminalize knife possession and rationalize restrictive knife laws: http://bit.ly/enfHoy

Tags: Knife Laws, Knife Rights, New Hampshire, Preemption Laws, Self Defense

Knife Law Preemption Bill Introduced in Utah

Ammoland — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:42:47 +0000

Knife Law Preemption Bill Introduced in Utah

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Utah State Representative Ryan D. Wilcox has introduced a Knife Rights backed Knife Law Preemption bill in the Utah House of Representatives.

HB 271 prohibits a municipality, county, or local district from regulating the use of a knife unless specifically authorized. Read HB 271: http://bit.ly/f1GPNm

Rep. Wilcox’s bill is modeled on Knife Rights’ Knife Preemption Law passed in Arizona last year. Knife Rights, with support from Utah sportsmen’s groups, local knife owners and other organizations is working hard to pass H.B. 271.

Without H.B. 271 law abiding knife owners in Utah could face a confusing patchwork of local knife laws and ordinances which could cause an otherwise law abiding knife owner to be in violation. While Utah currently has few knife ordinances, H.B. 271 is critical to keeping it that way.

Utah residents should call, write or email their State Representatives urging support for HB 271. You can find your Representatives here: www. le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp

Tags: Knife Laws, Knife Rights, Preemption Laws, Self Defense, Utah

RE: Pushing a Right to Keep & Bear Arms, the Sharp & Pointy Type

Ammoland — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:29:56 +0000

RE: Pushing a Right to Keep & Bear Arms, the Sharp & Pointy Type

Letters to the AmmoLand Editor: Got something on your mind? Let us know and you can see it here.

New York, NY --(Ammoland.com)-The following Letter to the Editor was submitted to the New York Times referencing the article that was published in the Sunday New York Times, December 5th. It was not selected for publication.

Editor
New York Times
620 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10018

Dear Editor:

Thank you for focusing attention on the overreaching of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., and his assault on knife-owners (“Pushing a Right to Bear Arms, The Sharp Kind,” The New York Times, Sunday, December 5, Page 1).

The accompanying photo, of knives seized by Vance’s office, shows how badly he is misreading New York law.

While pointy edges can be intimidating, not one of the knives depicted are illegal in New York, which forbids only switchblades, gravity knives and stilettos. Each of the knives in the photo is a perfectly legal “one-hand opening” knife — as are 80 percent of the pocketknives sold in the U.S.

Besides being legal in New York, Congress last year specifically exempted them from the provisions of the Federal Switchblade Act, after the Customs Service proposed redefining these knives as switchblades and gravity knives.

Knife Rights is committed to representing honest, law abiding citizens of New York in opposing DA Vance’s overreaching and abuse of the law.

Yours,

Doug Ritter
Founder and Chairman
Knife Rights
313 West Temple Court
Gilbert, Arizona 85233
Tel.: 602-476-2702
EMail: dritter@kniferights.org

Read the article at the New York Times online. (FREE registration required)
View a PDF (photos) of the article from the paper.

Pushing a Right to Keep and Bear Arms, The Sharp and Pointy Type

Tags: Doug Ritter, Knife Bans, Knife Laws, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Knives, Letters to the Editor, New York Times, Second Amendment, Self Defense, Washington

Washington Bill Attempts to Restrict Knife Length

Ammoland — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:55:35 +0000

Washington Bill Attempts to Restrict Knife Length

Benchmade Model 201-91 Activator Knife with a 3.63" Blade Length

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- A Washington state representative has introduced a bill amending Washington law to outlaw concealed carry of knives with blades longer than 3 1/2 inches.

While Arizona, New Hampshire and other states are making progress in the personal choices law abiding citizens make regarding the type of knives they carry, Rep. Sherry Appleton (D – LD23) is looking to set her state’s knife laws back decades.

Rep. Appleton bill would mean that the average fisherman, fishing one of Washington’s many coastal areas or rivers whose jacket falls over their 6-inch filet knife would suddenly be committing a crime. Washington has many hunters and is a popular hunting destination for those who travel to hunt.

The average hunting knife is considerably longer than the arbitrary 3 1/2- inch limit, exposing hunters to committing an unintentional crime as well. But, the most egregious aspect of this proposed law will be to render illegal many simple pocket knives that law-abiding citizens carry everyday for work and recreation.

“Why anyone would go back to this 1950’s legislative mentality is beyond me,” said Doug Ritter, Chairman of Knife Rights.
“While many states are modernizing or eliminating restrictive laws coving the essential tools millions of Americans carry for everyday chores, we now have a legislator in Washington State who thinks it’s a good idea to go backwards.”

Read the proposed bill: http://bit.ly/fCACxE

Now is not the time to roll back the clock; now it the time to move forward and enhance our knife rights.

Knife Rights is already hard at work laying the groundwork to fight this ridiculous proposal, but we can’t do it without your help.

Please contribute to the Second Front Legislative Campaign so we stop this bill in its tracks: http://bit.ly/foA0QA

Tags: Doug Ritter, Knife Bans, Knife Laws, Knife Rights, KnifeRights.org, Knives, Second Amendment, Self Defense, Washington

Knife Rights Featured Front Page on New York Times

Ammoland — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:26:30 +0000

Knife Rights Featured Front Page on New York Times

Knife Rights Featured Front Page on New York Times

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- 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 relatively even-handed and 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.)

Read the article at the New York Times online: http://nyti.ms/dERpW1
View a PDF (photos) of the article from the paper: http://bit.ly/fLR6U6

Knife Rights Foundation is leading the legal fight against New York County Distract Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr’s assault on our pocketknives. Help us stop this insanity.

Please make a contribution to our fight against the NYC DA’s assault on our pocketknives: http://bit.ly/Scvp9

ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!

If you are a retailer or individual who finds yourself targeted for the sale or possession of so-called illegal knives (one-hand opening and assisted opening knives inappropriately claimed to be gravity knives or switchblades) in New York, we urge you to immediately contact Knife Rights at: nycity@KnifeRights.org or call toll-free: 1-866-889-6268.

Tags: Anti-Gun Media, Civil Rights, Knife Laws, Knife Rights, Liberal Media, New York, Self Defense