Knife News Wire

Congratulations! With the help of the many knife enthusiasts who emailed and called Georgia senators, the Georgia Senate passed SB432 by a vote of 41-12. SB432 is the Knife Law Preemption bill that would repeal all local knife ordinances more restrictive than state law.

    Now the bill moves to the Georgia House for consideration.

     Without the outpouring of emails and calls from knife enthusiasts around the country who let Georgia Senators know that this bill was important to them, it would not have passed. Thanks for your help!

     Much credit goes to Senator Bill Heath’s diligent efforts in getting this bill through the Senate under extreme time constraints. The knife community and BLADE Show (for more on the show click on http://bladeshow.com/ehome/index.php?eventid=31379&😉 attendees are lucky to have a Georgia senator who appreciates our rights and our tools and is will to work so hard to protect them.

     Knife Rights officials said they will now focus on the House and will update you shortly.

     As home to BLADE Show, successful passage of SB432 would not only ensure Georgia residents carrying a knife are treated fairly wherever they travel in Georgia, but all those traveling to the BLADE Show through towns and cities with knife laws more restrictive that Georgia’s otherwise decent knife laws would be safe from violation.

    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. A person can be charged with a violation of law when they have no intention of violating the law.

    The BLADE Show, held annually in Atlanta, Georgia—this year June 8-10, once again at the spacious Cobb Galleria Centre—is the world’s largest knife show and pumps millions of dollars into the local and state economy. SB432 would protect the thousands of exhibitors and visitors who travel to and from BLADE Show to buy, sell or simply enjoy the thousands of knives on display and the many knife-related events associated with the show.

    For more info on the pro-knife bill, 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

According to KnifeRights e-mail news, the Washington state House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass HB2347 that would clarify the definition of “spring blade” knives (automatic knives) so as to clearly make assisted-opening knives legal in the state. This allows for both the sale and manufacture of assisted-opening knives in Washington state. HB2347 also makes it legal to manufacture automatic knives in Washington state. In addition, it would expand the existing law enforcement exemption for possession of automatic knives to members of the military and full-time first responders.  

    Senate Bill 6179 was passed out of the State Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Session last week with a single no vote. An effort will now be made to conform the similar, but not identical, Senate bill to the House bill by a floor amendment, which would allow for quicker passage. Alternatively, the two bills end up crossing each other, but either way, KnifeRights officials stated they are hopeful a bill will end up on the desk of Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire for her signature soon.

    The bill was requested by Washington state knife companies Fox USA, Blade-Tech and SOG Specialty Knives & Tools. Knife Rights lobbyist Todd Rathner testified on the bill and assisted in making critical changes to assure the measure would free the hands of in-state knife companies.  

    While Knife Rights officials stated they do not believe there should be any distinction between citizens and government employees when it comes to possessing life-saving tools, the officials also seem to 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,” the KnifeRights e-mail news release noted.

    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 the state’s knife companies.  

    If you live, work or travel in Washington state, please contact your state senator and ask him/her to support the measure.

    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+ssfb021012#BL1SU

AKTI has submitted an official opposition position to the City of Boston on their proposed ordinance to license convenience stores that sell knives. You can check out background info & AKTI’s letter to the Boston City Council http://www.akti.org/news/akti-responds-to-boston-proposed-ordinance