I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 88 
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. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 3, 2019 
Mr. BIGGS (for himself, Mr. MEADOWS, Mr. LATTA, Mr. DUNCAN, and Mrs. 
LESKO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, 
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the juris-
diction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
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. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Knife Owners’ Protec-
tion Act of 2019’’. 
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SEC. 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 pos-
sess, 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 vehi-
cle, the knife or knives are not directly accessible 
from the passenger compartment of such trans-
porting 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 de-
signed for enabling escape in an emergency incorporating 
a blunt tipped safety blade, a guarded blade, or both, for 
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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 ac-
tion 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 (includ-
ing 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 attorney’s 
fee. 
(f) DEFINITION.—As used in this section, the term 
‘‘transport’’ includes staying in temporary lodging over-
night, common carrier misrouting or delays, stops for 
food, fuel, vehicle maintenance, emergencies, medical 
treatment, and all other activity related to the person’s 
overall journey. The term shall not include any transpor-
tation of a knife or knives with the intent to commit any 
offense punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 
one year involving the use or threatened use of force 
against another, or with knowledge, or reasonable cause 
to believe, that such an offense is to be committed in the 
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course of, or arising from, such journey. Within any form 
of temporary lodging, a knife or knives may be accessible. 
(g) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed in any way to limit any right to 
possess, carry, or transport a knife or knives under appli-
cable State law. 
SEC. 3. REPEAL OF FEDERAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO 
SWITCHBLADE KNIVES. 
(a) REPEALS.— 
(1) Chapter 29 of title 15, United States Code, 
is repealed. 
(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 sub-
section (a)— 
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(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 ac-
tions or proceedings occurring or commenced, on or 
before the date of enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
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