SB 5782, a knife bill that would remove “spring blade knife” (aka automatic or switchblade) from Washington State Statute RCW 9.41.250, allowing law-abiding individuals to possess and sell these knives passed the Senate today with only one “no” vote. It has been referred to the House Commmittee on Civil Rights and Judiciary.
Since 2012, knife manufacturers in the state of Washington are allowed to manufacture automatic knives with the passage of HB 2347 that also clarified the definition of a switchblade knife, and extended the legal possession of automatics to active military, firefighters, and rescue responders, in addition to law enforcement.
A sincere thank you to Mike Vellekemp, owner, V Nives, for his efforts on getting both of these pieces of legislation introduced and working them through the process.
AKTI Board of Regent member, Spencer Fraser, SOG Knives & Tools, Mike Vellekamp, and other testilfied at the Senate Committee on Law & Justice hearing on February 18, 2019.
“The bill has passed the Senate with overwhelming support,” said Mike Vellekamp. “And we have high hopes that it will end up on the governor‘s desk for signing before the end of the legislative session. We have also had tremendous support from AKTI (American Knife and Tool Institute) and would like to thank all involved for helping with the passage of this bill…Especially the bill sponsors, Senator Hans Zeiger (25th legislative district) and Senator Guy Palumbo (1st legislative district).”
“We are excited that we have been able to get SB 5782 this far in the legislative process, and are working to get it passed in the House and signed by Governor Jay Inslee before the session ends in April,” said Jan Billeb, AKTI Executive Director. “Washington State businesses and jobs will improve when law-abiding citizens can purchase useful and valuable tools from local businesses.”
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