BLADE Magazine

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

As reported Jan. 24, a member of the American Knife & Tool Institute won a USMC Marine bayonet by Ontario in a special AKTI drawing at the Ontario booth during the 2012 SHOT Show. AKTI member Ed Weeren wasn’t in attendance at the show, but was recently notified of his big win.

     Ed is the proud new owner of one of the first 200 OKC3s Marine Corps Bayonets, which is specially displayed and engraved with the AKTI logo and a quote from President Ronald Reagan  Ed also wins a stay in Western New York and private tour of the Ontario Cutlery facility.

     When responding to news of his win, Ed explained what being an AKTI member meant to him:

     “ I joined AKTI because of the respect I have for those who set it up and for the work AKTI is doing to allow citizens like me to continue to enjoy knives and to carry my pocketknives without fear of being arrested. I am an NRA Life Member and understand that each of us has to accept some responsibility and do what we can to help all of us continue the freedoms given to citizens when this country was founded. While I was not a Marine, I hold Marines in the greatest respect. I attended Texas A&M and received a commission in the U.S. Army in 1958. Keep up the good work you and your group are doing.”

    As a nonprofit association, AKTI’s role is to be the reasonable and responsible advocate for the knife-making and knife-using community, providing the focal point for sensible evolution, development, and the consistent enforcement of knife legislation.

For more information about the American Knife & Tool Institute, 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+ssfb020912#BL1SU