Thanks to our members and supporters during 2020, AKTI continued to diligently and efficiently use our resources to benefit and strengthen the entire knife community in many ways. Are you aware of these highlights?
- Updated and expanded State Knife Law and Statewide Knife Preemption information at AKTI.org
- Provided links and resources to help businesses during the pandemic
- Urged states and localities to consider the knife & tool industry as essential and critical
- Opened an online knife industry Career Center
- Published 12 new articles of expanded information about understanding knife laws and their interpretation – Know Your Knife Laws
- Shared valuable Amazon selling and brand protection
Also, we continue to work on several knife legislative initiatives including:
- Ohio SB 140 to allow the sale and manufacture of automatics and clarify that a concealed knife is not a weapon unless used as such. Status: We met with Governor DeWine’s office last week before the bill arrived on his desk to either sign, veto or let become law.
- West Virginia SB 96 ENACTED statewide knife preemption.
- Washington SB 5782 to allow law-abiding individuals to possess and sell automatic knives. Status: Stalled on the House floor.
- Michigan HB 5286 to enact statewide knife preemption. Status: Stalled in a Senate Committee.
- Vermont HB 124 to allow the sale and possession of automatic knives without a less than 3″ blade length restriction. Status: Stalled in House Judiciary Committee.
- Federal Initiatives to repeal the 1958 Federal Switchblade Act and protect traveling knife users.
As we move into 2021, it is with hope, commitment and gratitude. Hope for continued health and success for the knife community. Commitment to advocate for what is best for knife owners and the industry. Gratitude for the support of our members, partners and friends.