Knife Rights: Texas Bill Would Restrict Retail Display of Knives

Critter

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[Post in General approved by Spark]

A Texas bill, HB 4415, has been introduced that would require “retail establishments” to display knives “in a locked transparent case accessible only with the assistance of an employee of the establishment.”


For purposes of this bill,”knife” is very broadly defined as “any bladed hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person with the instrument.” “Retail establishment” is also very broadly defined as “a place of business open to the general public for the sale of goods or services.”

While some knife sellers choose to keep some of their displayed inventory under lock and key, this bill would require ALL knives on display to be locked down. Beyond the obvious difficulties this bill would present to knife retailers, it would also impact any store with a small knife section (department and big box stores, hardware stores, gas stations, etc.) as well as swap meets, gun shows and knife shows. Imagine if ALL of the over 140 exhibitors at the upcoming ICCE in Ft. Worth (see below) were required to lock up ALL the knives on display at their tables?

Knife Rights has been instrumental in defeating 8 anti-knife bills in 6 states since 2010 and we’re working to make sure legislators understand how problematic this proposed law would be. We will let you know if we need your support contacting legislators to oppose this bill.

Knife Rights’ ongoing effort to repeal more of Texas’ remaining knife restrictions is moving forward. Todd Rathner, Knife Rights’ Director of Legislative Affairs, is in Austin lobbying for passage of HB 956. Click here to read about HB 956, Knife Rights’ bill to reform Texas Location Restricted Knife Law.

Knife Rights is America’s grassroots knife owners’ organization; leading the fight to Rewrite Knife Law in America™ and forging a Sharper Future for all Americans™. Knife Rights efforts have resulted in 33 bills enacted repealing knife bans in 23 states and over 100 cities and towns since 2010.
 
People have this illusion that Texas is a bastion of freedom... but it isn't, and we're not.

It was just introduced the other day, it's not law. Most bills go nowhere, and this one will probably be one of them. Every grocery store, dollar store, hardware store, etc. has clam-pack knives on their shelves, and I can't find anything that suggests there's a problem in Corpus Christi (the district the author represents) with knives being stolen or being used in the store to commit a crime. There doesn't seem to be any thought in this.
 
It was just introduced the other day, it's not law. Most bills go nowhere, and this one will probably be one of them.

It is true that the majority of bills don't get passed. And, this is a bill that should not even get a hearing. But, it is dangerous to approach bills that way. As soon as you start thinking that an ill-conceived bill won't move, suddenly there's a hearing on the bill and bad stuff happens. Our job is to make sure it doesn't get passed, ideally stopping things before it gets a hearing and the stakes get higher and more expensive to deal with.

I can't find anything that suggests there's a problem in Corpus Christi (the district the author represents) with knives being stolen or being used in the store to commit a crime. There doesn't seem to be any thought in this.

In fact, there was a fatal stabbing in a Walmart there last year. Where that knife came from is still not clear. Nothing that would have likely been prevented even if this bill was the law, but... Regardless, our job is to make sure bills like this don't get passed. We need everyone's support to do that job. Thanks!
 
It is true that the majority of bills don't get passed. And, this is a bill that should not even get a hearing. But, it is dangerous to approach bills that way. As soon as you start thinking that an ill-conceived bill won't move, suddenly there's a hearing on the bill and bad stuff happens. Our job is to make sure it doesn't get passed, ideally stopping things before it gets a hearing and the stakes get higher and more expensive to deal with.



In fact, there was a fatal stabbing in a Walmart there last year. Where that knife came from is still not clear. Nothing that would have likely been prevented even if this bill was the law, but... Regardless, our job is to make sure bills like this don't get passed. We need everyone's support to do that job. Thanks!

The statement about it not being law was a direct response to the post I quoted about Texas being a "bastion of freedom." A bill doesn't infringe on your freedom, but it has potential to result in a law that does. The the outcome is what affects your freedom, not the initiation of the process. I'm not discouraging your mission, which I support, I'm discouraging making sweeping statements about infringement of freedom based on a bill that has almost no chance of ever becoming a law.
 
It's not like it's a bad thing to think of Texas as a bastion of freedom...

I'm shocked that there are even representatives in the TX government who would introduce such a bill. I'm from rural upstate NY and have to suffer the consequences of the voting power of NYC. I guess you have a similar situation where the city folks have a different idea of things?
 
True. Requiring a permission slip from the government to exercise one's natural rights is not freedom.
The cost of the LTC has gone down, which is good as it allows lower income folks to be legal if they so desire, but we all know Constitutional carry is what should be the case.
 
Personally I think this is great. In fact we should all be required to be strip searched everywhere we go. Also wearing a large plastic bubble to avoid germs and physical confrontation. We should only eat food that does not require silverware (especially knives) to be used. This way they could not be misused. Public transit should be used instead of cars as they are very dangerous. Ban everything, it would make our lives much safer. Anyone who disagrees is just stupid.
 
At least an LEO knows that you have been checked out when he/she sees your LTC and can relax a little knowing that it's unlikely that you are a criminal. With constitutional carry you may have your handgun taken and stand outside in cuffs while the LEO checks your record and to see if you're wanted for anything.
 
True. Requiring a permission slip from the government to exercise one's natural rights is not freedom.

I actually don't mind paying a reasonable fee, and having to go through the same range qualification as the state police. When my wife and I fled the People's Republik Of Maryland for Texas, we took the course to get ur carry license. I was appalled at the poor shooting and vague ideas that some of my classmates displayed. They flunked of course, Thank God for Texas regulations. One guy was thrown off the range when he put two rounds into the ceiling. Another, a lady was told to leave when she didn't even know how to load the gun. The range master/instructor told her "This is NOT introduction to handguns! You're supposed to know how to handle that before you come here."

On the public ranges we shoot at, I'm very glad there are safeguards in place to insure that you have to demonstrate a competent level of shooting to get the license to carry. Some of these idiots should not even be permitted anything but a water pistol. And like said, the license tells the police that you have at least been investigated and stamped approved.
 
HB 4415 is being heard in the Texas House Committee on Business and Industry tomorrow. Myself and several other people will be testifying against the bill. It would impose costs on knife makers and sellers that would make it more difficult for them to eat a living and would accomplish nothing.

Any of you who are Texas residents can send an email to the committee opposing this bill before the close of testimony tomorrow. This applies only to Texas residents. If you are not a Texas resident do not send an email at the link below!
You are allowed 3,000 characters so get to the point! Tell them your name, who you represent (yourself unless you are a business you are authorized to speak for) and that you are against the bill and why. Please be polite and respectful. Anything less harms our cause. Ask your friends who are Texas residents to do the same. Thanks, Rick

https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c040
 
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