December 31, 2011 – Boston Mayor Menino signed the knife licensing ordinance making it law. AKTI will continue to oppose and monitor regulation.
December 14, 2011 – Concerned that certain retail stores offered questionable knife products that were conveniently sold to minors, the Boston City Council passed an ordinance today CBCXVI 16-13.94 requiring certain convenience stores that sell fixed or locking blade knives of 2 inches or more (but not cutlery) to be obtain a license from the City.
Representatives of the Boston Police Department testified in support of the ordinance as well as officers from the MBTA at the public hearing on November 18, 2011. It is AKTI’s understanding that because of their support, Mayor Menino is not expected to veto it. He has 15 days to either (1) sign; (2) veto or (3) allow it to become law.
Now is the time to CALL the Mayor’s office (Mayor Thomas Menino – (617) 635-4500) and politely urge him to VETO the ordinance which (1) will not stop knife crime; (2) would be difficult to enforce; (3) violates Equal Protection under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; and (4) is not necessary as Boston already has laws against selling to minors.
You can read the “Committee on Government Operations submittal letter to the Boston City Council which summarizes the support and opposition testimony and recommends passing the new draft.
AKTI is disappointed that the Boston City Council passed this ordinance, and that AKTI’s Opposition Position Letter, that details the ordinance as a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, was not more thoroughly considered. We appreciate that the Boston City Council has public safety concerns, but do not believe this ordinance will eliminate sales to minors (which is already illegal) or reduce crime.
For more information and background, check out News & Updates AKTI Responds to Boston Proposed Ordinance.