Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3264
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2018-07-25
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Civil actions and liability

Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Criminal procedure and sentencing

Detention of persons

Federal preemption

Manufacturing

Postal service

Retail and wholesale trades

State and local government operations

Transportation safety and security
Latest action: action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-07-25
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2018</b></p> <p>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.</p> <p>It repeals provisions, commonly known as the Federal Switchblade Act, that prohibit: (1) the introduction into commerce, or transport or distribution in commerce, of switchblade knives; and (2) the possession, manufacture, sale, or importation of ballistic knives.</p> <p>Finally, it amends the federal criminal code to eliminate two provisions&#8212;one that restricts the mailability of switchblade knives and one that restricts the mailability of ballistic knives.</p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3264 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 25, 2018 Mr. Wicker introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 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.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2018 . 2. Interstate transportation of knives (a) Authorization (1) 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 shall be entitled to transport a knife from any place where such person may lawfully possess, carry or transport such a knife to any other place where such person may lawfully possess, carry or transport such a knife if— (A) in the case of transportation by motor vehicle— (i) the knife is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; or (ii) in the case of a motor vehicle without a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the knife is contained in a locked container, glove compartment, or console; or (B) in the case of transportation by other means (including any conveyance over land, on or through water, or through the air), the knife is contained in a locked container. (2) Temporary lodging If a person is transporting a knife in accordance with paragraph (1), during a period the person is within any form of temporary lodging, the knife may be accessible. (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 in accordance 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. If 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. If 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, reasonable attorneys’ fees. (f) Definition As used in this section, the term transport — (1) includes staying in temporary lodging overnight, 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; and (2) does not include any transportation of a knife with— (A) the intent to commit any offense punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year involving the use or threatened use of force against another; or (B) knowledge, or reasonable cause to believe, that such an offense is to be committed in the course of, or arising from, such journey. (g) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any right to possess, carry, or transport a knife under applicable State law. 3. Repeal of Federal provisions related to switchblade knives (a) Repeals (1) The Act entitled An Act to prohibit the introduction, or manufacture for introduction, into interstate commerce of switchblade knives, and for other purposes ( 15 U.S.C. 1241 et seq.) (commonly known as the Federal Switchblade Act), is repealed. (2) Subsections (g) and (i) of section 1716, title 18, United States Code, are repealed. (b) Conforming Amendments Chapter 83 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in section 1716, by redesignating subsections (h), (j), and (k) as subsection (g), (h), and (i), respectively; and (2) in section 1716E(i), by striking section 1716(k) and inserting section 1716(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.