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Posts Tagged ‘American Knife and Tool Institute’

American Knife & Tool Institute and Senator Mike Crapo, R-ID, Announce the Introduction of the Freedom of Commerce Act

Friday, September 8th, 2017

The legislation will repeal the Federal Switchblade Act of 1958, and allow consumers to purchase any automatic knife legal in their state.

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September 7, 2017 – Cody, WY – The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) and Senator Mike Crapo today announced the introduction of the Freedom of Commerce Act, legislation that will repeal the Federal Switchblade Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. § 1241 – 1244) and allow consumers to purchase any automatic knife legal in their state, regardless of where it was manufactured. The legislation will also remove burdensome prohibitions on free trade, interstate commerce, and consumer choice.

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“In states allowing the possession of switchblades, it is imperative that law-abiding citizens and sportsmen have the ability to buy and sell the tools vital to their trade,” said Crapo. “This measure would remove one of the many federal regulatory burdens that have hindered manufacturing growth, interstate commerce and consumer practices for far too long.”

Automatic knives, which are defined based on their opening mechanism, are used primarily in the professional trades and by outdoor recreationalists. In both of these examples, the use of a one-handed knife that opens automatically is often critical to effectively and safely accomplishing the task. To illustrate, a roofer may carry an automatic knife in his pocket as part of his customary tools. While perched on a ladder, he only has one hand to open and lock the blade, making the automatic open a necessary feature. This same example could be used for a fisherman, who is holding his catch with his left hand while simultaneously using an automatic knife to cut the line of a swallowed hook with his right hand. In both cases, the task may be technically achievable with other tools, but is accomplished more quickly and more safely with an automatic knife.

To advance the legislation, AKTI will be working with the bill’s lead sponsor, Senator Mike Crapo, R-ID, to educate Members of Congress on what the Federal Switchblade Act is, how it hurts free trade, consumer choice, and interstate commerce. AKTI will be working with policymakers to explain the following:

What is the Federal Switchblade Act of 1958?

The Federal Switchblade Act of 1958 (FSA) leverages the federal government’s interstate commerce power to prohibit the purchase, sale, and trade of automatic knives between any and all of the 50 states, Washington, DC, any U.S. territories, and any place outside thereof.

The FSA does:

• prohibit the possession of automatic knives in U.S. territories and on Native American Reservations;
• prohibit a consumer from purchasing any automatic knife not manufactured in the state in which they are making the purchase;
• prohibit the importation of all foreign automatic knives, as well as knife parts, even if the manufacturer or importer is a U.S.-based company.

The FSA does not:
• prohibit the possession or sale of automatic knives within any U.S. state or the District of Columbia;
• apply to contracts entered into by the Department of Defense.

The FSA hurts consumers and knife manufacturers throughout the United States by using federal law to:

• limit consumer choice;
• create unnecessary burdens on manufacturers and retailers by prohibiting most out-of-state sales;
• impose a barrier on states’ rights to legislate the availability of a tool within their borders;
• infringe on free trade by outlawing the importation of automatic knives.

The Freedom of Commerce Act will:

• repeal 15 U.S.C. § 1241 – 1244;
• allow domestic manufacturers to ship and sell their products to buyers located in other states;
• permit the importation of automatic knives and knife parts.

The legislation will not:

• supplant or amend current state laws on automatic (or any other) knives;
• legalize the possession or carry of automatic knives (except for Native American Reservations and U.S. territories).

“Drafting legislation is always a balance between safisfying an emotional drive to fix something, and finding common sense mechanisms that will truly deliver a solution,” said CJ Buck, President of Buck Knives and AKTI. “In this bill, Senator Crapo has done an exceptional job of striking that balance in a way that will help knife owners and consumers, remove unnecessary federal burdens, and allow states to decide what tools are legal within their jurisdiction – as the Constitution guarantees. We’re thrilled to see this legislation introduced, and couldn’t be prouder to have Buck Knives’ senior senator leading the charge.”

“AKTI’s mission is to promote reasonable and responsible knife legislation and enforcement,” said AKTI’s Executive Director Jan Billeb. “We believe that law-abiding citizens should be able to carry and purchase their essential and valuable tools without the fear of arbitrary, inconsistent and ineffective government restrictions. We look forward to working with Senator Crapo and his team to educate lawmakers on the restrictions and burdens created by the Federal Switchblade Act, and how the Freedom of Commerce Act alleviates these problems.”

www.atki.org

AKTI Legislative Update

Tuesday, January 31st, 2017

The American Knife and Tool Institute is working to change knife laws state by state to repeal and clarify laws that keep you from using, selling or making the knife of your choice with confidence. We continue to work to allow interstate travel of knives without concern of differing state law.

Virginia – “I am pleased to be patron of House Bill 1432, I am grateful for the indispensable assistance of AKTI in preparing and securing Committee passage of the bill, and I look forward to advocating for full passage of the bill during the 2017 General Assembly.” Delegate Ware. HB 1432 & SB 1347 will eliminate carry restrictions on automatic knives for lawful professional and recreational uses. Status: Passed both House and Senate committees. Learn More

Colorado – “AKTI thanks supporter John Bloodgood for his committee testimony and other organizations for their letters of support.” SB 17-008 legalizes sale and possession of automatic and gravity knives by removing them from the state definition of illegal weapons. Status: In Senate for vote. Learn more.

Georgia – SB 49 would increase legal length of a knife blade to carry from 5-1/2 inches to 12 inches. Status: In Senate Committee.

Illinois – SB 607 removes restriction on the sale, manufacture, purchase, possession and carry of automatic knives IF person possesses a current valid Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification Card. Status: In Senate Committee.

Montana – HB 251 would remove knives with a blade length of 4 or more inches wholly or partially concealed from list of illegal concealed weapons. Status: In House

Texas – HB 790 would change definition of illegal knife and legalize an individual to carry concealed or open a dagger, dirk, stiletto or poniard. Status: Introduced

Changing laws is time-consuming and expensive. Please help support our efforts to make changes that benefit the entire knife community.

Make a contribution to AKTI’s Legislative Fund
Become a Member!
Donate a Knife

Know your state knife laws.

CJ Buck Inducted Into Cutlery Hall of Fame

Tuesday, August 16th, 2016

Co-Founder and President of the American Knife & Tool Institute Honored for His Contributions to the Knife Community

CJ Buck, CEO and Chairman of Buck Knives, Inc., Post Falls, Idaho, was recently honored for his extraordinary service and contribution to the knife community. He was inducted at the 2016 BLADE Show into the Cutlery Hall of Fame©. Active members of the Cutlery Hall of Fame elect an annual inductee by a vote prior to each show.

Hall of Fame member Goldie Russell, President of A.G. Russell Knives, and Jan Billeb, Executive Director of the American Knife & Tool Institute, shared how CJ Buck’s foresight and commitment in the formation and work of the American Knife & Tool Institute insured that a forum for the industry was in place to develop solutions to problems when needed.

“As an ambassador of the knife community and AKTI, CJ Buck has elevated the knife industry’s image to the greater world at large and fostered partnerships with labor unions, congressional caucuses and conservation and outdoor groups,” noted Jan Billeb.

CJ Buck challenged the organization to be multi-faceted and proactive – protecting the American heritage of knives in daily lives, promoting growth in the industry and encouraging the next generation of knife users.

“CJ’s grandfather Al and father Chuck, also Hall of Fame members, would be proud of him – the man he is, heritage he successfully continues and his accomplishments to ensure that everyone in the knife community can continue doing what they love – making knives and sharing them with others,” said Goldie Russell.

“The Cutlery Hall of Fame includes individuals who have had such a strong and passionate impact on the industry I love,” said CJ Buck, “and the fact that those same individuals have accorded this recognition to me is almost overwhelming.”

He added, “I continue to enjoy my involvement with the American Knife & Tool Institute and am so pleased with how much progress we have made by working together. From the closed and short-sighted 1958 Federal Switchblade Act to the visionary Knife Owner’s Protection Act, we have brought outdoorsmen and women together with the building trades in a frank dialogue based on logic and reason and not fear. We have partnered with legislators and law enforcement rather than just be adversarial and have brought about change in how knives are regarded. That momentum continues.”

www.akti.org