U.S.A. —Â In 2014, Knife Rights published a list of the Ten Worst Anti-Knife Cities in America. At that time, New York City was number one, but we fixed New York City’s “gravity knife arrests” problem in 2019, moving Philadelphia up to the number one Worst Anti-Knife City spot.
Now Knife Rights has accepted Philadelphia’s offer of judgment in Knife Rights, Inc. v. Outlaw, our federal Second Amendment lawsuit that sought to declare unconstitutional and enjoin Philadelphia’s laws that ban the possession and carry of any bladed arms (knives) in public. The City also agreed to pay $10,000 to cover Knife Rights’ legal expenses.
Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, “we are excited that after the Supreme Court precedent in Bruen, Philadelphia has recognized that its ban on carry and use of knives in public could not pass constitutional muster. As the premier advocacy organization for the right to possess and carry knives, Knife Rights looks forward to striking down all unconstitutional knife bans throughout the United States.”
The bottom line is that with the judge’s order issued Monday, it is no longer illegal to possess or carry a knife in public in Philadelphia. That includes an automatic knife that is carried openly and not concealed — also due to Knife Right’s efforts — became legal in Pennsylvania on January 2nd this year. Note that you still cannot carry any knife that is still illegal in the state, including daggers and similar knives.
Ritter noted, “We sincerely appreciate our individual plaintiffs in this case, Knife Rights members Keith Fetsurka and Scott Mele. It takes courage to step up and be plaintiffs in Second Amendment cases and without plaintiffs, there’s no case. We cannot thank them enough.”
Attorney John Dillon said, “It is refreshing when the government, even local government, acknowledges reality and admits they cannot prohibit arms in common use. We will continue our efforts to ensure that cities and states throughout the United States come to the same conclusion. Our rights are not up for debate.”
“We’re thrilled with today’s outcome,” said William Sack, local counsel on the matter. “The City did the right thing by promptly agreeing to a settlement instead of wasting the taxpayers’ money on needless litigation.”
In its 2022 NYSRPA v. Bruen decision, the Supreme Court emphasized that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, applied against states and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment, is not “a second-class right, subject to an entirely different body of rules than the other Bill of Rights guarantees.” In 2021, Knife Rights filed an important amicus (friend of the court) brief in the Supreme Court that was cited in the Bruen decision.
Knife Rights
Knife Rights is America’s grassroots knife owners’ organization, leading the fight to Rewrite Knife Law in America and forging a Sharper Future for all Americans. Knife Rights efforts have resulted in 40 bills enacted repealing knife bans in 26 states and over 150 cities and towns since 2010.
I have carried a knife since fairly early childhood. Before I was 10, my Dad gifted me a sweet, little Case three bladed pocket knife with jigged redbone scales. I carried that every day for nearly a dozen years, at school or play. I still have it, but the blade is too thin for regular use. I retired that little knife when I joined the Navy and began a lifelong relationship with a Buck folding hunter in a pouch on my belt. After the Navy, I began carrying various versions of a “gentleman’s” knife–Case’s Texas Toothpick was a favorite. Later,… Read more »
Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.
Patrick Henry
Latest additions to the Brandon Bans are gas generators and (again) incandescent light bulbs. This guy seems determined to make life HARDER on all Americans. Stupidity and ignorance no longer explain his actions – I mean, if he was governing by coin flip he wouldn’t be doing as badly as he actually is. IMHO there has to be actual malice involved. As well as a healthy dose of corruption.
Knives are here to stay! With an estimated 50 billion in active service worldwide!
The issue is that many people carry a knife as tool not as a weapon. A pistol is not of much utility in opening boxes, cutting things, prying things, or turning screws. I carry a Leatherman, which has a variety of useful tools. It gets used almost daily, and lent to someone at least once a week. Under the previous schity law that was illegal.
Jethro Gibbs Rule #9
Never go anywhere without a knife.
A knife ain’t gotta be about self defense. It’s a tool I use multiple times daily. It can be a weapon but it’s a tool. Carrying a gun ain’t got nothing to do with it. Not one thing. Both are carried
In high school, and for years beyond, I carried a Buck 110 that would shave. I now carry an Artisan Kives Jungle tanto with a 4″ blade. Readers of this forum won’t be surprised to know I’ve never cut or stabbed anyone.
I wonder how you carry an sutomatic knife not concealed?
This lawsuit against Philadelphia stopped too short.
Now do the state; 18 PACS 908 needs to go