Knife News Wire

The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) is urging all Michigan residents to contact their legislators about pending legislation that would repeal the state’s switchblade/automatic knife ban and reduce a state ban on fixed blades, an AKTI news release reported. 

    Passage of HB 5544 would add the Wolverine State to the growing number of states that do not outlaw automatics. It also would add Michigan to the states where AKTI has successfully helped eliminate or clarify terms that are not defined or are too confusing for consistent enforcement.

    Michigan Rep. Frank Foster explained, “HB 5544 provides clarity and simplicity for citizens of this state, visitors, especially those involved in the outdoor pursuits, as well as law enforcement, with respect to knives. It eliminates archaic terms, such as dirk and stiletto, and makes clear that a violation of the law occurs if a person with criminal intent carries any knife.”

    At the same time, he added, it would eliminate the 1950s-era bans on automatic knives and prevent the misapplication of the law to various designs which have emerged in the decades since.

    If passed, HB 5544 also would greatly restrict the existing ban on fixed blades. It would change Section 227 regarding “illegal fixed blades.” The terms “dirk” and “stiletto” would be removed. Double-edged, non-folding instruments would be illegal if carried concealed except if a person is in his own home, place of business or on property he owns, or is in transit between any of those locations. There is also an exemption if the double-edged, non-folding knife is carried for hunting, fishing, trapping or if used as a tool in the course of the person’s trade, occupation or hobby. All other fixed-blade prohibitions reportedly would be removed by the bill, too.

    For links to more information or how to find your legislator, visit www.AKTI.org.

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If a visit to Northern Ireland is in your plans, you’d better check the country’s knife laws before you go. Several knives, an axe and a sword were seized earlier this week by Northern Ireland’s “Border Force” at the Belfast International Airport, according to reports.

The items were in the baggage of a passenger arriving from London who had travelled from the USA. Officers said the blades were the latest in a series of seizures.

A 22-year-old woman from Co Armagh questioned about the items was cautioned and released while inquiries continue.

It was unclear whether the knives, axe and sword were in checked baggage, though considering the number of items, it would seem highly unlikely for them not to have been.

On a separate flight, two pellet-firing replica pistols found in passengers’ baggage were also seized.

According to John Spence of the Border Force,”It is illegal to bring knives and weapons into Northern Ireland from overseas. Just because you can legally buy an item while abroad does not mean you can legally bring it into the UK. We are determined to prevent lethal weapons reaching our streets and ignorance of the law is no defense.

“Whether you are trying to deliberately smuggle weapons into Northern Ireland or simply unaware of the controls in place, if you are found breaking the law by carrying banned knives and offensive weapons then you will be stopped, the weapons will be seized and you may face prosecution.”

Source: BBC

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The Alaska House of Representatives has unanimously passed HB 55 “Definitions of Gravity Knives and Switchblades,” referred to by sponsor Rep. Mark Neuman as the “Knife Rights Act.” HB 55 would clarify state law on the subject of assisted-opening and one-hand opening knives to ensure they are not considered gravity knives or switchblades, currently banned under Alaska statute.

    According to Knife Rights, it requested that the bill be amended to include Knife Law Preemption, which would make knife laws consistent across Alaska. 

    
     HB55 is now in the Alaska Senate, where it has been referred to the Judiciary Committee.

    If you live, work or travel in Alaska, please contact the Senate Judiciary Committee members and ask them to vote in support of HB55. Contacts for Judiciary Committee members can be found at:   http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_com_info.asp?comm=SJUD&session=27. 

    Knife Rights Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, testified in support of HB55 before the House Judiciary Committee, answering questions regarding both Knife Law Preemption and about the clarifying language of the bill.

    Knife Law Preemption protects honest citizens from a patchwork of local ordinances and rules that can entrap those traveling within or through a state in possession of knives that meet state law or wherever they live in the state. Without preemption, a person can be charged with a violation of law when they have no intention of violating the law.  

    As explained by Rep. Neuman, “Spring-loaded [assisted-opening] knives and other one-handed knives that have a bias towards closure are an important tool for Alaska hunters, anglers and many craftsman. Many of us carry and use knives every day, and some mechanisms, such as being spring-loaded, don’t make our knives switchblades. We shouldn’t be punished nor have our tools, which can be just as expensive as other implements, subject to seizure or forfeiture.”  

    For more info click on www.KnifeRights.org

For more on the latest knives, knife legislation, knifemaking instruction, knife trends, knifemakers, what knives to buy and where and much more, subscribe to BLADE Magazine, the World’s No. 1 Knife Publication. For subscription information click on http://www.shopblade.com/product/blade-magazine-one-year-subscripti…?r+ssfb030812#BL1SU