Knife Rights' Montana Switchblade Ban Repeal & Knife Law Preemption Bill Passed - Now to Governor

The Montana Senate voted unanimously to pass Knife Rights' Montana Switchblade Ban Repeal and Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 155. HB 155 was earlier passed by the House 99-1. It now goes to Governor Steve Bullock for his consideration.

Bill sponsor Rep. Casey Knudsen worked closely with Knife Rights' Director of Legislative Affairs, Todd Rathner, on HB155, and deserves our gratitude for his significant efforts which resulted in the bill's passage with but a single nay vote.

We sincerely appreciate the support at the legislature from Knife Rights member E.J. Redding and ACLU of Montana Director of Advocacy and Policy S.K. Rossi. Also supporting the bill were the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, Montana County Attorneys Association, Montana Association of Counties and Montana League of Cities and Towns. We also appreciate the assistance of Montana activist Joe Paschal.

This effort follows up on 2017's repeal of the prohibition against concealed carry without a CCW of "a knife with blade 4 or more inches in length" as well as removing Dirks, Daggers, Sword Canes, razors, "billy" and "knuckles" from the items prohibited from concealed carry.

Knife Rights signature Knife Law Preemption effort started with enactment of the nation's first Knife Law Preemption bill in Arizona in 2010. In total, ten states have now enacted Knife Rights' Knife Law Preemption bills. If the Montana governor signs this bill, that will make eleven.

Preemption prevents enforcement of existing local knife ordinances and prohibits new ordinances more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state. Preemption ensures citizens can expect consistent enforcement of state knife laws everywhere in a state.

Since 2010 Knife Rights has been Rewriting Knife Law in America™ with 29 bills repealing knife bans enacted in 21 States, forging a Sharper Future for all Americans™. Knife Rights is the one getting it done™ for America's knife owners and knifemakers.