Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2017

To protect the right of law-abiding citizens to transport knives interstate, notwithstanding a patchwork of local and State prohibitions, and to repeal Federal provisions related to switchblade knives which burden citizens. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Knife Owners’ Protection Act of 2017 2. Interstate transportation of knives (a) In general Notwithstanding any provision of any law or any rule or regulation of the United States, or of a State or any political subdivision of a State, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a knife or knives shall be entitled to transport a knife or knives from any place where such person may lawfully possess, carry or transport such a knife or knives to any other place where such person may lawfully possess, carry or transport such a knife or knives if— (1) in the case of transportation by motor vehicle, the knife or knives are not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle, or, in the case of a motor vehicle without a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the knife or knives shall be contained in a locked container, glove compartment, or console; or (2) in the case of transportation by other means (including any conveyance over land, on or through water, or through the air), the knife or knives are contained in a locked container. (b) Emergency knives Any knife or tool designed for enabling escape in an emergency incorporating a blunt tipped safety blade, a guarded blade, or both, for cutting safety belts may be carried in the passenger compartment and need not be secured in a locked container, glove compartment, or console. This subsection shall not apply to the transport of any such knife or tool in the passenger cabin of aircraft whose passengers are subject to airport screening procedures of the Transportation Security Administration. (c) No arrest or detention A person who is transporting a knife or knives in compliance with this section may not be arrested or otherwise detained for violation of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision of a State related to the possession, transportation, or carrying of knives, unless there is probable cause to believe that the person is not in compliance with at least one of the requirements of subsection (a). (d) Claim or defense A person may assert this section as a claim or defense in any action or proceeding, civil or criminal. When a person asserts this section as a claim or defense in a criminal proceeding, the State or political subdivision shall bear the burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the person was not in compliance with subsection (a). (e) Right of action Any person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or political subdivision of a State, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any person to the deprivation of the rights, privileges, or immunities set forth in this section, shall be liable to the person so deprived in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress. When a person asserts this section as a claim or defense, the court shall award the prevailing party (including any party who receives a favorable resolution through a decision by a court, settlement of a claim, withdrawal of criminal charges, or change of a statute or regulation), other than a State or any political subdivision of a State or its employees or representatives, a reasonable attorneys’ fee. (f) Definition As used in this section, the term transport (g) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed in any way to limit any right to possess, carry, or transport a knife or knives under applicable State law. 3. Repeal of Federal provisions related to switchblade knives (a) Repeals (1) Chapter 29 (2) Subsections (g) and (i) of section 1716, title 18, United States Code, are repealed. (b) Conforming Amendments (1) The table of chapters at the beginning of title 15, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to chapter 29, and inserting in lieu thereof, [Chapter 29. Repealed] (2) Section 1716 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by redesignating— (A) subsection (h) as subsection (g); (B) subsection (j) as subsection (h); and (C) subsection (k) as subsection (i). (c) Effective Date The repeals made by subsection (a)— (1) shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) do not apply with respect to any indictment, convictions, sentencing, appeals, civil or criminal fines or penalties obtained, forfeitures obtained, terms of imprisonment or any other enforcement actions or proceedings occurring or commenced, on or before the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2017 This bill permits an individual to transport a knife between two places (i.e., states) where knife possession, carry, or transport is legal. A knife must be securely stored during transport, unless it is an emergency knife designed to cut seat belts. This bill prohibits the arrest or detention of an individual for a knife violation unless there is probable cause to believe the individual failed to securely store the knife during transport. An individual may assert compliance with this bill as a claim or defense in any civil or criminal proceeding. This bill repeals provisions, commonly known as the Federal Switchblade Act, that prohibit the introduction of switchblade knives into interstate commerce. It also repeals the Ballistic Knife Prohibition Act of 1986, which prohibits the possession, manufacture, sale, or importation of a ballistic knife. Finally, it amends the federal criminal code to eliminate two provisions—one that restricts the mailability of switchblade knives, and one that restricts the mailability of ballistic knives.