American Knife and Tool Institute

Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

  • Join Today
  • Login

Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

  • About
    • History and Successes
    • Board of Regents
    • Advisory Members
    • Premier Members
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Refund Policy
    • Terms of Service
  • Membership
    • Knife Industry Memberships
    • Individual Memberships
    • Stay Informed!
  • Legislation
    • Follow Current Knife Legislation
    • Finding Knife Laws
    • Contacting Legislators
    • How a Bill Becomes Law
  • Education
    • Knives Save Lives!
    • Kids and Knives
    • Traveling With a Knife
    • For Law Enforcement
    • For Legislators
    • The Ivory Ban
  • News & Events
    • Latest AKTI News
    • Industry News
    • Action Alerts
    • Upcoming Events
    • Ultimate New Knives Giveaway
    • Free to Carry Fundraiser
  • Resources
    • Career Center
    • Knife Industry Resources
      • Knife Standards
      • Brand Protection
      • Social Media Censorship Initiative
      • Proposition 65
    • Knife Owner Resources
      • Encounters With Law Enforcement
      • Traveling With a Knife
      • The Legal Edge
      • Brandishing a Knife
      • Schools and Knife Laws
      • AKTI Monthly Knife Auction
    • Counterfeit Knives
    • Brochures & Handouts
    • For Media
    • Buy an AKTI Luggage Tag
  • State Knife Laws
    • State Auto-Open Laws
    • About Statewide Knife Preemption
    • Know Your Knife Laws
    • Federal Switchblade Act (FSA)
    • Encounters With Law Enforcement
    • Court Case Summaries
    • The Legal Edge

AKTI Applauds Illinois Senate’s Passage of Senate Bill 607

April 6, 2017

Legislation Would Allow Individuals to Carry Automatic Knives When in Possession of Their FOID Card

The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) today announced the Illinois Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 607, which repeals the prohibition of the possession of automatic knives when the individual also possesses a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID card). The legislation also allows an individual or entity to possess or carry an automatic knife without a FOID card if they are “engaged in the business of selling or manufacturing switchblade knives.” The bill, which was sponsored by Senators Tim Bivins, R-IL 45, and Neil Anderson, R-IL 36, now moves to the House, where it is sponsored by Representative Brian Stewart, R-IL 89, a well-respected Member of the Illinois House of Representatives. Representative Stewart is a retired Stephenson County Sheriff’s Deputy, businessman and Army Veteran.

“We’re thrilled to see Illinois follow the lead of so many states in recognizing that automatic knives are tools used everyday by tradesmens, outdoorsmen, hunters, and professionals,” said AKTI President CJ Buck. “We are happy to see SB 607 advance, and are grateful for the Legislature’s efforts to ensure automatic knives are made legally accessible to individuals.”

“This is a very positive development, and we are very grateful to Senators Bivins and Anderson, as well as Representative Stewart for their leadership,” said Jan Billeb, AKTI’s Executive Director. “However, more work remains to be done. This legislation is a step in the right direction, but AKTI believes that it leaves too many unnecessary restrictions in place. Knives are essential tools in each of our lives, and it stands to reason that not all knife owners and users are also firearm owners. At AKTI we believe knives and firearms should be legislated separately, and knife owners should not be forced to register as firearms owners in order to legally carry their tool. We call on the Illinois Legislature to take this initiatve one step further, and ensure that owners of automatic knives are allowed to carry their knives legally within the state, and without the restriction of a FOID card.”

Illinois Knife Law
Follow 2017 Knife Legislation

Take Action

  • Become a Member (Industry)
  • Become a Member (Individual)
  • Stay Informed
Make a Contribution

Popular Resources

  • AKTI Knife Auction
  • AKTI Approved Knife Definitions
  • State Knife Laws
  • State Auto-Open Laws
  • What Every Knife Owner Should Know
  • Traveling with Knives
This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts. Backup cache in use.
PPCA Error: Due to Facebook API changes it is no longer possible to display a feed from a Facebook Page you are not an admin of. The Facebook feed below is not using a valid Access Token for this Facebook page and so has stopped updating.

As a nonprofit association, AKTI’s role is to be the reasonable and responsible advocate for the knife-making and knife-using community; educating, promoting and informing that knives are important tools.

Copyright © American Knife and Tool Institute, all rights reserved
22 Vista View Ln, Cody, WY 82414
307-587-8296
Privacy & Security
| Terms of Service

  • Home
  • About
  • Membership
  • Legislation
  • Education
  • Brand Protection
  • Contribute Today
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact

Follow AKTI:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter