and Responsible Law Enforcement
The American Knife & Tool Institute promotes a reasonable and responsible approach to legislation regarding knives and the enforcement of knife laws. We strive for clarity of law and definitions. Clear, objective legislation is the foundation to a free people. Without clarity inconsistent enforcement occurs and law-abiding citizens are subjected to unnecessary anxiety. Individuals should not have to fear the legality of valuable tools used daily in their lives. They should have not be expected to know and understand knife laws in multiple jurisdictions where they may travel for work or recreation with their knife or edged tool.
AKTI encourages knife legislation that:
- Is not based on possession of certain knife design or styles but on the actions and intent of the user. For more information see the Expanded Introduction to the AKTI Approved Knife Definitions.
- Where it has been determined that laws governing possession must exist, they should be based on clear definitions that minimize unexpected interpretations and inconsistent enforcement. Legislators, law enforcement and criminal justice may be guided by the industry’s AKTI Approved Knife Definitions and AKTI Protocol for Measuring Blade Length.
- Is consistent throughout all cities and counties within a state. For more information see About Knife Preemption.
- Is easily understandable by citizens.
For more details on AKTI’s position about knife laws, see the Expanded Introduction to our AKTI Approved Knife Definitions
Inside the U.S. Capitol (Sept. 2012). Front Row (l-r): Bill Raczkowski - AKTI President (2011-2013, (Gerber), Jan Billeb - AKTI Executive Director. Back Row (l-r): CJ Buck - AKTI Legislative Chair (Buck Knives), Dan Lawson - AKTI Contributing Counsel, Rod Bremer - AKTI Vice President (2011-2013) (CRKT), Peggy Bremer (CRKT).
AKTI monitors current and pending legislation in all 50 states and on the federal level for issues that need attention and we’ll let you know when you need to Act Now! and what you need to do to support sensible knife legislation.
We need your help in contacting us about county or local issues. We have successfully changed knife laws to keep Americans from being considered criminals for carrying the knives they use in their everyday lives.
Recent Accomplishments
Check out AKTI News for articles and the latest information on AKTI’s efforts.
Read more about H.R. 2892 and the successful change to the Federal Switchblade Act of 1958 to keep U.S. Customs from defining nearly all folding knives as illegal switchblades and make de facto criminals of millions of knife owners.
Getting Started
- The Legal Edge: What Every Knife Owner Should Know
- Read through our Success Stories for more about our fight to keep knives in American lives.
- Check out the Resources section for Definitions, Knife Measuring Protocol and other valuable information.
- See sources on Contacting Legislators or Finding Knife Laws for more information.
- We subscribe to a service that helps alert us to knife-related issues. AKTI members have access to the legislation and regulations we are watching. For more information check out the AKTI Members Only section.