A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 268.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Interstate Transport Act of 2025 aims to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to move knives across state lines despite various local and state laws. It establishes specific rules for transporting knives in motor vehicles or via other means to ensure they are kept in locked containers or are not directly accessible. The bill also allows for the carriage of specific emergency safety blades without a locked container. Certain protections and legal remedies are provided for those transporting knives in compliance with the act. This legislation does not override the rules set by the Transportation Security Administration for aircraft cabins.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to do business across state lines?
The bill establishes a federal standard that overrides state and local prohibitions on knife transport.
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
It uses federal authority to preempt local laws regarding the transport of knives.
- Scored +5
Does this change how police departments operate?
The bill limits arrests for knife possession if the individual is complying with the interstate transport rules.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill reduces the ability of states to regulate the transport of knives within their borders.
- Scored -2
Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns?
The bill eases restrictions on transporting certain edged weapons across state lines.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Rights During Travel: Law-abforming citizens can transport knives for any lawful purpose between locations where they can legally possess them, regardless of local or state prohibitions (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Safety Provisions for Emergencies: Individuals may carry specific knives or tools designed for escaping emergencies by cutting safety belts without needing a locked container (Section 2(c)(1)).
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Protection Against Unlawful Arrests: People following these transportation rules cannot be arrested for violating state or local knife laws unless there is probable cause that they are not complying with this specific act (Section 2(d)).
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Legal Recourse and Financial Protection: If a person prevails in a civil or criminal proceeding regarding these rights, the court will award them costs and reasonable attorney's fees (Section 2(e)).
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Clearing of Criminal Records: For those who prevail in a criminal proceeding, the court must order the expungement of all official records regarding the arrest, the proceedings, and the results (Section 2(f)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Aircraft Travel: The protections provided by this act do not apply to the transport of knives or tools in the cabin of a passenger aircraft, which remains subject to Transportation Security Administration rules (Section 2(b)(2) and Section 2(c)(2)).
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Exclusion for Intentional Offenses: The definition of "transport" excludes individuals who intend to commit an offense punishable by more than one year of imprisonment involving force (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — The bill establishes a federal standard that overrides state and local prohibitions on knife transport. Does this give the federal government more power? — It uses federal authority to preempt local laws regarding the transport of knives. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill provides legal recourse, including attorney's fees, for those whose rights are violated. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill reduces the ability of states to regulate the transport of knives within their borders.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill limits arrests for knife possession if the individual is complying with the interstate transport rules. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — It provides for the expungement of records for those who prevail in criminal proceedings regarding these rights. Does this protect the right to own guns? — While focused on knives, it expands individual rights to carry tools across state lines. Does this put more limits on buying or owning guns? — The bill eases restrictions on transporting certain edged weapons across state lines.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would gun owners be better off under this? — The bill aligns with the interests of those who advocate for easier transport of weapons/tools.
- 11/18/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-96.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 268.
- 5/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/5/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/24/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
John BarrassoRepublican · Wyoming
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon