AZ Legislature Passes Nation's First Knife Preemption Law

Critter

Critter

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The Arizona Legislature has passed the the nation's first Knife Preemption Law, sponsored by Knife Rights. By bipartisan votes of 36-19 in the Arizona House and 19-9 in the Arizona Senate, SB1153, Knife Rights' Knife Law Preemption Bill has been sent to Governor Jan Brewer for her signature, which is anticipated next week. It will take effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns and not only prevents political subdivisions from enacting new ordinances and rules, but voids all existing restrictive knife ordinances. In combination with Arizona's recently enacted constitutional concealed carry law, knife owners in Arizona will enjoy the most accommodating knife laws in the country.

View the final preemption bill with Governor Brewer's requested amendments incorporated (which strengthened the final bill): http://bit.ly/bj1T56

The passage of Arizona's Knife Preemption Law is precedent setting for knife owner rights. Arizona is the first state to establish specific preemption for knife laws and this represents the successful kick-off of Knife Rights' National Knife Law Preemption Campaign, a key component of Knife Rights' national legislative agenda to protect and enhance knife owners' rights. Knife Rights anticipates that the Arizona preemption law will serve as a model for preemption efforts in other states whose citizens are subject to a similar patchwork of restrictive local knife laws with attendant civil rights issues. We have already been approached by a number of legislators and citizens who want to initiate knife law preemption for their states. Knife Rights will aggressively pursue these opportunities.

Knife Rights' national strategy is to work to enact knife preemption laws throughout the United States. This would afford the same protection to knife owners that firearms owners in forty six states already enjoy. Arizona is just the start.

Preemption prevents the creation of, or eliminates, a patchwork of ordinances and rules which serve to confuse or entrap those traveling within or through the state. A person traveling in a state without preemption laws could be charged with a violation of law when they have no intention of violating the law. Further, local ordinances often violate the right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment and, in many cases, by the state's own constitution.

Knife Rights sincerely appreciates the strong legislative leadership provided by the bill's primary sponsor, Arizona Senate Majority Leader Chuck Gray, as well as the support of co-sponsors: Senators Ron Gould, Russell Pearce, Frank Antenori, Jack Harper, Al Melvin, Jonathan Paton and Thayer Verschoor and Representatives David Gowan, Carl Seel, David Stevens, Cecil Ash, Ray Barnes, Andy Biggs, Judy Burges, Steve Court, Debbie Lesko, Steve Montenegro, Rick Murphy and Warde Nichols. Thanks also to all the legislators, from both sides of the aisle, who voted for the preemption bill. At a time when partisan politics seems the norm, the bipartisan support was very welcome and testament to the common-sense appeal of knife law preemption.

Knife Rights would like to express our appreciation for the support provided by Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, National Rifle Association (NRA), Arizona's NRA affiliate, the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association, Arizona Citizens Defense League, Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife, Copper State Cutlery Association and Arizona Knife Collectors Association.
 
I was just about to post this!!!!!!! Great work Doug!!!! Does this mean any knife can be carried there? Gravity, switches, etc???
 
tom19176 said:
I was just about to post this!!!!!!! Great work Doug!!!! Does this mean any knife can be carried there? Gravity, switches, etc???
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That is already true for most of Arizona today, this just ensures that you don't get caught up in some local ordinances which have been more restrictive in some cases. WRT concealed carry, "pocketknives" (which term is not defined) have always been exempt. With the new constitutional carry law, any knife will be able to be carried concealed, subject to the state's deadly weapons laws. So, for example, you cannot carry a machete concealed into a bar UNLESS you get a CCW permit. It will be a little confusing, technically, BUT for the average knife owner it basically means no worries.

NOTE: I am not a lawyer and am not providing legal advice.
 
Critter said:
So, for example, you cannot carry a machete concealed into a bar UNLESS you get a CCW permit.
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Wow, talk about a serious jungle themed club. ;)


But seriously, it's great news. I wish we could apply common sense to far more of our laws. We need this in Texas, too.
 
joe-bob said:
But seriously, it's great news. I wish we could apply common sense to far more of our laws. We need this in Texas, too.
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Yes, you do. How do we get it done in Texas you might ask. Let's start with asking if you are a Knife Rights member? Power in the political process comes in part from the members you represent. So, a key step is having members whose dues help support Knife Rights. More members = more power and activity

Next, it takes three things to accomplish legislation. First, a citizen and/or local state second amendment organization willing to dedicate itself to the effort in the state. Two, a willing legislator capable of leading the charge in the legislature. Third, money to hire a good lobbyist. Don't kid yourself that it can be done without a lobbyist. That's just the reality of the political process. Our lobbyists have been critical to our successes. They don't come cheap.

Knife Rights is willing to assist and lead the effort to help make all this happen, including helping with the funding and raising the money, but we need local volunteers to make it work.

Join Knife Rights, become an activist member, help us spread knife preemption throughout the nation.
 
Sorry if this sounds stupid, but what exactly does this mean? Will I be able to carry whatever knife I choose throughout the state?
 
It means that the state law is the only one, and that individual cities and counties cannot make their own laws about knives. If you have a legal knife according to the state law, then it's legal everywhere.

Otherwise, it was possible to commit a serious crime by simply crossing a city limit or county line.
 
One state down, 49 more to go...what are the odds of it happening in New York? Long shot for sure.
 
New Hampsire is just about as good now too! Does any one know if the gov in NH signed off on the bill?
 
Hope it spreads to CA.
 
Great work and Great news. Congrats to Kniferights.org and the state of Arizona!!!

Now to get a similar law passed in Washington State!
 
joe-bob said:
Wow, talk about a serious jungle themed club. ;)


But seriously, it's great news. I wish we could apply common sense to far more of our laws. We need this in Texas, too.
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Thumbs up on this also--Texas has an OK law, but you have city laws that are more restrictive, such as San Antonio. It should be standard all over our state.
 
crunky said:
Sorry if this sounds stupid, but what exactly does this mean? Will I be able to carry whatever knife I choose throughout the state?
joe-bob said:
It means that the state law is the only one, and that individual cities and counties cannot make their own laws about knives. If you have a legal knife according to the state law, then it's legal everywhere.

Otherwise, it was possible to commit a serious crime by simply crossing a city limit or county line.
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That's correct. In certain cities/counties across the country there are more restrictive knife laws. Chicago for example limits blade length to 2.5" while the rest of the state is 3". In our neck of the woods, Phoenix has this further limitation:
Sec. 23-40. Concealed weapons.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, except a policeman or peace officer in actual service and discharging his duty, to have or carry concealed on or about his person, any pistol or other firearm, dirk, dagger, slung shot, sword cane, spear, brass knuckles, or other knuckles of metal, Bowie knife, or any kind of knife or weapon, except a pocket knife not manufactured and used for the purpose of offense and defense.

(Code 1962, § 27-14)
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This "Knife Preemption Law" abolishes this.

Previously (and until July 1st), Arizona allows open carry of any weapon, and concealed carry of any weapon if the person has a permit (the gun permit applies to any "weapon", not just firearms like so many other states). So the consensus was that a "regular" pocket knife was concealable without a permit, but don't conceal autos, balisongs, fixed blades, etc without a permit. Starting July 1st, you no longer need a permit to conceal any weapon.

I love Arizona. Huge thanks to Critter and all that got this bill passed into law.

I do have one question though: Does this new law also apply to college campuses? Or are they still a Willing Victim "Weapon Free Zone"?
 
helz yea! it's nice to see laws actually move toward simpler and clearer. it's nice to have uniform guidlines throughout the state. however, i think it said something about the most liberal knife laws in the country. really? from what i'm reading here, it's the same as FL - carry ANY knife openly, permit cover ANY concealed knives. unless ballistic knives are cool, in AZ, all they've done is tie us :D of course, they do have us on the uniform from county to county :grumpy:
 
Here is the NH update!:
New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has signed Rep. Jenn Coffey's Knife Rights Bill into law, removing restrictions on switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos in Hew Hampshire and essentially removing all restrictions on knives in New Hampshire state law. New Hampshire now has no state knife laws which stop law abiding citizens from buying, selling, owning, carrying, possessing, transporting, collecting, or lawfully using any type of knife. This is the first complete repeal of a state's knife restrictions ever.
 
I'm really liking Gov. Brewer. She's got a lot of guts! I hope I get a chance to vote for her some day.
 
tom19176 said:
Here is the NH update!:
New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has signed Rep. Jenn Coffey's Knife Rights Bill into law, removing restrictions on switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos in Hew Hampshire and essentially removing all restrictions on knives in New Hampshire state law. New Hampshire now has no state knife laws which stop law abiding citizens from buying, selling, owning, carrying, possessing, transporting, collecting, or lawfully using any type of knife. This is the first complete repeal of a state's knife restrictions ever.
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WOW! that is so cool. you mean they just flat out trashed every knife law, period? that makes me want to move there.
 
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