A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2025 aims to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to transport knives across state lines. It seeks to prevent various state and local prohibitions from burdening individuals during their travels. The bill establishes specific requirements for how knives must be stored when traveling by motor vehicle, air, or other means. It also provides special rules for emergency knives used for cutting safety belts. Additionally, the act includes protections against arrest and detention for those following the rules. Finally, it establishes a right of action for individuals whose rights under this act are deprived.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill shifts the burden of proof to the state in criminal proceedings and provides a private right of action for rights violations.
- Scored +7
Would gun owners be better off under this?
The bill provides significant protections and legal recourse for individuals transporting knives across state lines.
- Scored +6
Does this make it easier to do business across state lines?
The bill establishes a federal standard for the interstate transport of knives, overriding various state and local restrictions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Interstate Travel Rights: Citizens can transport knives from one place where they are legally possessed to another place where they are legally possessed, notwithstanding state or local laws (Section 2(b)).
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Increased Accessibility for Emergency Tools: Tools designed for escaping emergencies, such as cutting safety belts with a blunt tipped safety blade or guarded blade, can be carried in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle without being locked away (Section 2(c)(1)).
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Protection from Unlawful Detention: Individuals following the transport requirements cannot be arrested or detained due to state or local knife laws, unless there is probable cause that they violated the requirements of this specific act (Section 2(e)).
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Legal Recourse and Financial Protection: Individuals whose rights are deprived under this act can sue for redress and may be awarded reasonable attorney's fees if they are the prevailing party (Section 2(g)).
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Clear Burden of Proof in Criminal Cases: In criminal proceedings, the burden is placed on the state or political subdivision to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual was not in compliance with the act's requirements (Section 2(f)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Air Travel: When traveling by air, knives must be contained in a locked container and cannot be kept in the passenger cabin of the aircraft (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Limitations on Emergency Knife Usage: The provision allowing emergency knives to be carried in the passenger compartment does not apply to the passenger cabin of an aircraft subject to airport screening (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Mandatory Storage Requirements for Motor Vehicles: Unless the knife is an approved emergency tool, it cannot be directly accessible from the passenger compartment and must be kept in a locked container, glove compartment, or console (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Mandatory Storage for Other Travel: For any other form of transportation, such as land or water, knives must be kept in a locked container (Section 2(b)(3)).
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 protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill shifts the burden of proof to the state in criminal proceedings and provides a private right of action for rights violations. Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — The bill establishes a federal standard for the interstate transport of knives, overriding various state and local restrictions. Does this give the federal government more power? — The act uses federal authority to preempt state and local laws regarding the transport of knives across state lines.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would gun owners be better off under this? — The bill provides significant protections and legal recourse for individuals transporting knives across state lines.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill limits the ability of state and local authorities to arrest or detain individuals transporting knives in compliance with the act's specific storage requirements.
- 1/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming