Rep. Saira Blair Shepards Legislation Through House, Senate
February 25, 2016 – Cody, WY – The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) today, in partnership with the West Virginia Citizen’s Defense League (WVCDL), applauded the passage of HB 4145. The legislation allows a law-abiding citizen of West Virginia, who is 21 years of age or older, to lawfully carry a knife, open or concealed, without needing to first obtain a government-issued permit.
AKTI is a non-profit 501(c)6 organization which represents all segments of the knife industry and knife users, promoting reasonable and responsible knife legislation and enforcement. We believe that law-abiding citizens should be able to carry their essential and valuable tools without the fear of arbitrary, inconsistent and ineffective governmental restrictions.
“We are extremely pleased to see HB 4145 pass the West Virginia Legislature,” said AKTI’s Executive Director, Jan Billeb. “We believe that HB 4145 will be beneficial to all citizens in the State of West Virginia. It allows for eligible persons to carry the knife of their choice. This positive legislation would ensure that law-abiding West Virginia citizens are not criminalized for possession and carry of a tool.”
AKTI worked closely with WVCDL, who was instrumental in the momentum behind the legislation. WVCDL is a non-partisan, non-profit, all-volunteer, grassroots organization of concerned West Virginians who support our individual right to keep and bear arms for defense of self, family, home and state, and for lawful hunting and recreational use.
“The West Virginia Citizens Defense League is proud to have authored HB 4145 and is extremely pleased with the legislatures decision to support the rights of West Virginians,” said Art Thomm, WVCLD’s Vice President. “The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature. The WVCDL urges the Governor to support West Virginians and sign the bill into law”