Two days removed from being a front-page story in the Washington Post, Knife Rights is (finally) getting some of the attention it deserves from people outside the industry. As you know, we have watched as Knife Rights has accomplished some great things for knife owners nationwide with a total budget that looks like an expense account line item with other mega-groups.
If you’ve not read the article, here’s a link to a PDF where you can give it a gander- without using up the very limited non-subscription opportunities on the Post’s website: https://kniferights.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/WaPo_Knife_Rights_09.16.2018.pdf
It’s not a piece without its warts- and errors, but it was noteworthy in the fact that it at least made the attempt to be fair and (relatively) accurate. There was a bit of journalistic “shading” (like ignoring the fact that when there is a murder committed with a knife it’s the common kitchen knife that’s the common culprit), but as Knife Rights has pointed out, it’s a “generally favorable article from a paper not known for its love of the Second Amendment.”
There are hundreds of comments on the WaPo website, not all of which are positive, but the piece has certainly brought to the general public the idea that politicians aren’t just out to control guns, they want to be able to outlaw knives - including those used as common work tools by millions of law-abiding wage workers, too.
One point Todd C. Frankel pointed out in his story certainly bears noting: Knife Rights has been able to gather bipartisan support for legislation that has led to reforms in knife laws in twenty-one states. It even points out that, despite overwhelming bipartisan support in the State Assembly, New York City residents and visitors continue to be subject to potential prosecution under very subjective and questionable legislation simply because New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has repeatedly vetoed it.
As Ritter observed, it wasn’t a perfect piece of reporting, but it was certainly far more even-handed than their reporting of firearms issues.
With the death toll of Hurricane Florence at twenty in the Carolinas, the waters continue to rise, along with concerns over the long-term impacts of the storm. We’re keeping up with as many of the outdoor companies as possible, but the interruptions in everything from utilities to transportation have made that problematic.
The first report we’ve received came yesterday from Graham, North Carolina’s Big Rock Sports‘ President Andy Melville. According to Melville, Big Rock has been fortunate and only their Morehead City facility suffered wind damage - no water incursion. He says they’re operating in their other facilities although a bit short staffed because Big Rock’s not asking employees to risk injury by trying to get to work. He also says Big Rock understands that not all their customers are in the position to be accepting orders- but they’ll be ready when they are.
He also emphasized something we can’t stress too-strongly: the gratefulness everyone feels for the first responders, National Guardsmen and Highway Patrol officers who are out there making rescues and leading in the rebuilding and cleanup efforts.
And finally today, my congratulations to Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA). Word yesterday that HAVA has been awarded the prestigious NAVY Spirit of Hope Award for 2018.
The Spirit of Hope was established in 1997 based on the contributions made by entertainer Bob Hope to the military. The award goes annually to individuals and organizations who “exemplify the same qualities of generosity and patriotism Hope is renowned for.”
HAVA’s a great choice. From 2008 through 2017, HAVA conducted 148 different shooting, hunting and outdoor events throughout the United States. More than 8,200 veterans and their families took part, enjoying a free day designed to help disabled veterans and wounded active duty military personnel heal via a connection with the outdoors.
HAVA will officially be recognized for their selection on September 28 in ceremonies at the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes.
Well done.
--Jim Shepherd
