The deadline for bills in Washington State to pass committee is fast approaching – February 15. Action is needed now to encourage the passage of HB 1224 out of the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee! Residents of Washington State need to ACT NOW!
Issue: Automatic knives are legal to manufacture in the state, but they cannot be bought or possessed by individuals.
HB 1224 would remove “spring blade” from the definition of “dangerous weapon” and allow the sale and possession of knives made in the state.
Send emails to:
Committee Chair: drew.hansen@leg.wa.gov
Ranking Member: jim.walsh@leg.wa.gov
Copy and paste the draft email below, modify or create your own.
I write in support of HB 1224 and urge the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee to pass the bill favorably out of committee. The legislation provides rational updates to Washington’s knife laws regarding automatic knives, as has been done in a bipartisan fashion in many states across the country, and would provide needed help to retailers, manufacturers, outdoor enthusiasts, and people working in agriculture and trades to name a few. Specifically, it would: (1) allow retailers and manufacturers in Washington to sell these knives like their competitors are in neighboring states such as California, Oregon, and Idaho; and (2) extend the same rights to Washingtonians including outdoors enthusiasts like hikers, hunters, and boaters, as well as tradespeople like contractors, roofers, landscapers, and mechanics who use these knives for their jobs on a daily basis.
Twenty-three states have repealed or revised laws surrounding the sale and possession of automatic knives, providing the clarity Washingtonians need to use their automatic knives for daily work and activities. In most cases, the legislation has passed legislatures with bipartisan support and knife ban repeals have been signed into law by both Republican and Democratic Governors. This legislation is similar.
In 2012, Washington State removed old restrictions that prevented the manufacturing of automatic knives and legal possession of these knives has included active military, firefighters, and rescue responders, in addition to law enforcement. While a step in the right direction, the legislation did not make changes to allow manufacturers and retailers to sell these knives and did not include individuals who need the convenience and safety of an automatic knife to perform their trade or use a tool often used by a variety of sportsmen. More specifically, in Washington, a “spring blade knife” is defined in a way that any tradesman in possession of an automatic knife could be charged with a gross misdemeanor, punishable under law.
In other states, manufacturers and retailers enjoy the thriving business that comes as a result of zero or very little restriction on the types of products, and law-abiding citizens also enjoy the ability to own and possess these knives without fear of committing a criminal activity. This legislation simply equals the playing field and it’s time Washington State also enacts this sensible legislation that enjoys broad support.
I ask that you quickly pass this bill out of committee.