Washington State Pro-Knife Bill Passes House 94-0

[Critter]

Today, the Washington state House of Representative voted unanimously to pass HB2347 that would clarify the definition of a so-called "spring blade" knives (switchblades) so as to clearly make assisted-opening knives legal in the state. This allows for both sale and manufacture of assisted-opening knives in Washington. HB2347 also makes it legal to manufacture switchblade knives in the state of Washington. In addition, it would expand the existing law enforcement exemption for possession of switchblades to members of the military and full-time first responders.

Senate Bill 6179 was passed out of the 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, we are hopeful a bill will end up on the desk of Washington Governor Christine Gregoire for her signature before too long.

This bill was requested by Washington state knife manufacturers Fox USA, Blade-Tech, and SOG. Knife Rights lobbyist Todd Rathner testified on this bill and assisted in making critical changes to assure the bill would free the hands of manufacturers in Washington.

While Knife Rights does not believe there should be any distinction between citizens and government employees when it comes to possessing life saving tools, we also 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.

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 knife manufacturers located in the state.

If you live, work or travel in Washington state, please contact your Senator and ask them to support SB 1234, respectively. Click here to locate your Senator, or the Senator who represents where you work or travel: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

 

[Mark Schmitt]

Very nice.

 

[nick425]

Right on! There may be hope for my state! I will be contacting senators about this.

Thanks Mr. Ritter

 

[Scalpless]

Thanks Critter for posting this. I was looking up if assisted open knives were legal in WA and that how I found this post and site. Looks like this is on the governors desk waiting to be signed now. Im gonna go buy a sog flash II now. thanks.

 

[elementfe]

Thanks Critter for posting this. I was looking up if assisted open knives were legal in WA and that how I found this post and site. Looks like this is on the governors desk waiting to be signed now. Im gonna go buy a sog flash II now. thanks.

Nothing changed with the assisted (as they're vaguely defined under the law) openers. All that changed is that manufacturers can legally make automatics, and that cops, firefighters and EMT'S can carry them. There's a lot of other stuff implied in the modified law, but whether they'll be strict is yet to be seen.
Here's the law as it will be if Gregoire signs it, which everyone expects: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/House Bills/2347-S.E.pdf

 

[Critter]

Nothing changed with the assisted (as they're vaguely defined under the law) openers. All that changed is that manufacturers can legally make automatics, and that cops, firefighters and EMT'S can carry them. There's a lot of other stuff implied in the modified law, but whether they'll be strict is yet to be seen.
Here's the law as it will be if Gregoire signs it, which everyone expects: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/House Bills/2347-S.E.pdf

Sorry, but that is not quite correct. The new definition of a "springblade knife" includes a clear exception for any knife with a bias toward closure, IOW, all currently manufactured assisted-opening knives: "A knife that contains a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade and that requires physical exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure to assist in opening the knife is not a spring blade knife. (emphasis added)

 

[Bigfattyt]

Sorry, but that is not quite correct. The new definition of a "springblade knife" includes a clear exception for any knife with a bias toward closure, IOW, all currently manufactured assisted-opening knives: "A knife that contains a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade and that requires physical exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure to assist in opening the knife is not a spring blade knife. (emphasis added)

This language is more important that many realize.

I get clients all the time criminally charged with carrying a Leek, or other spring assisted opener. After all, Officers see that they spring open, and they use a spring, therefore they must be spring bladed knives!

I had one clueless prosecutor tell me "The officers would not charge these guys if the knives were not illegal!"

I had to point out, that the officers did not attend Law School, where as she and I did, and she should not be relying on cops for legal definitions or understanding the law!

I have a kershaw Needs Work that gets very little pocket time because of this.

I also have several knives I have tightened the pivots up on, so they are much harder to open with a flip of the wrist. I have seen officers practically give them selves a hernia or loos the knife out of their hands, they were trying so hard to get knives to flip open so they could charge some one.


One officer, in open court, in a criminal case, spent about 5 minutes struggling to get an assisted knife to shoot all the way open and lock (it was a tiny Leek, and was dirty/stick).

The officer, finally after sweating and trying and flinging his arm like a monkey, was able to get the blade all the way out, and locked open. He held it up triumphantly, and exclaimed for the judge "see, it is a switch blade." The judge ruled that it was a switchblade.