House Bill 1432 Eliminates Concealed Carry Restrictions for Law-Abiding Citizens Using Automatic Knives for Professional and Recreational Uses
The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) today applauded the passage of HB 1432 by the Virginia House Courts of Justice Subcommittee on Criminal Law. The legislation, conceived by AKTI and sponsored by Delegate Lee Ware, R-District 65, will reform current state laws to authorize any person to carry an automatic knife concealed when such knife is carried for the purpose of engaging in a lawful profession or recreational activity the performance of which is aided by the use of a automatic knife. The bill also removes automatic knives from the list of weapons the selling, bartering, giving, or furnishing of which is a Class 4 misdemeanor. The legislation now moves to the full Committee for votes in the coming weeks.
“Ensuring that the Code of Virginia while providing for the safety of the public does not impinge on the rights, and needs, of law-abiding citizens is one of the most important obligations entrusted to a member of the General Assembly,” said HB 1432’s sponsor, Delegate Ware. “I am pleased to be patron of House Bill 1432, I am grateful for the indispensable assistance of AKTI in preparing and securing Subcommittee passage of the bill, and I look forward to advocating for full passage of the bill during the 2017 General Assembly.”
AKTI is a non-profit 501(c)6 organization that 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 government restrictions.
“We are extremely pleased to see HB 1432 pass the Courts of Justice Subcommittee on Criminal Law, and look forward to the bill passing the full committee and General Assembly in the near future,” said AKTI’s Executive Director, Jan Billeb. “We have worked closely with Delegate Ware on this bill, and are thankful for his leadership on the issue. Delegate Ware is a true champion of responsible knife owners in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are also grateful to Chairman Rob Bell, R-District 58, for his support in passing the bill.”