Knife News Wire

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

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.

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has signed a most important bill for knife owners and the knife industry. With his signature, Knife Rights reported, SB432 establishes knife law preemption in Georgia beginning July 1, effectively repealing draconian restrictions on knife ownership, sales and manufacturing in cities like Atlanta, home of the BLADE Show, the world’s largest knife show.

    One word of caution! Please note that the new knife preemption law does not go into effect until July 1, so BLADE Show attendees should remain cautious this year, as the old laws remain in effect until the beginning of July. The BLADE Show is June 8-10.

    Thanks to the members and supporters of Knife Rights who made their support known to the legislature and governor and to the bill sponsors, Georgia Senator Bill Heath and Georgia Representative David Knight.

    Knife Rights’ Director of Legislative Affairs Todd Rathner worked very hard from well before this year’s legislative session started in order to pass the bill and get it signed.

    For more information, 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+ssfb050712#BL1SU.

According to an ABC News report, a former Transportation Security Administration official says knives and other items should be removed from the prohibited items list for airline passengers.

Former TSA administrator Kip Hawley, who ran the TSA from 2005 to 2009, advocates that the TSA no longer look for weapons that cannot penetrate the cockpit door.

“Blades, sharp objects, tools, all those things should be removed from the prohibited items list,” Hawley told ABC News. “Carry a big knife, carry five knives. What are you going to do with a knife or five knives? You are not going to take over the plane. … The focus should be explosives and toxins — things that can kill a lot of people very fast before security measures can stop someone from making that attack.”

He argues since 9/11, objects that cannot kill a lot of people in a short period of time are no longer a significant threat. He says allowing screeners to concentrate on detonators and bomb parts instead of small weapons would make flying safer, and the screening process more convenient.

“The captain is not going to open up the door. The captain is not going to surrender the cockpit and the passengers are not going to sit by and let the guy stand there with a knife,” Hawley said. “I mean, you have to think of it as risk management. What is the risk that somebody is going stand up there with a knife to somebody — a child, a flight attendant — the risk that they’re going to do that and then take over the plane? And do we put people through these long security lines, fishing through their bags, two million people a day, just to prevent the eventuality that somebody might get killed? That’s a tradeoff.”

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 here.

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.

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+ssfb042212#BL1SU.

The SOG-TAC Mini-Auto from SOG Specialty Knives & Tools is one of many knives that will benefit from the new Washington pro-knife bill. (SOG Specialty Knives & Tools photo)

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed HB2347 into law Thursday, March 29, at a signing ceremony at the state capitol. This important legislation makes Washington state more friendly to knife owners and manufacturers by clarifying the definition of so-called “spring blade” knives (automatics/switchblades) so as to clearly make assisted-opening knives legal in the state.

    The clarification allows for both sale and manufacture of assisted-opening knives in Washington. HB2347 also makes it legal to manufacture automatics in the state of Washington. In addition, it would expand the existing law enforcement exemption for possession of automatics to members of the military and full-time first responders.

    Thanks to all who called and emailed throughout the process and helped to make this happen.

    Mike Vellekamp, one of the owners of Fox Knives USA, helped spearhead the effort to get the bill passed and was on hand with the governor when she signed the bill. If it were not for Vellekamp’s initiative and hard work, things would not be moving forward for knife owners and manufacturers in the state. He garnered the support of his 25th District Senator Jim Kastama and Rep. Bruce Dammeier to introduce the legislation that will benefit the state’s knife business, public safety personnel and individual knife owners.

    In testimony before the state house judiciary committee Vellekamp noted, “We need to get rid of the stigma that these are weapons and we need to start calling them tools because that’s what they are. The push for this bill is so that we can ensure the local law enforcement branches, our military and our firefighters get to use these valuable tools because when they get trapped, they need to get out. They need a tool at the ready that’s going to be there without needing another hand to open it.”

    American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) Advisory Member Spencer Frazer, founder of SOG Specialty Knives & Tools of Lynnwood, Washington, testified at the house judiciary committee hearing in support of HB 2347.

    “The definition of switchblade needs to be clarified, and this bill does that,” he commented regarding changes that include, “A knife that contains a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade and that requires physical exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist or arm to overcome the bias toward closure to assist in opening the knife is not a spring blade knife.” This is the same “bias toward closure” language that AKTI introduced and has been successfully passed in other states and incorporated in to the 2009 amendment to the Federal Switchblade Act.

    For more click on www.akti.org and 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+ssfb040212#BL1SU.