Advocates for reasonable, responsible knife owners had cause to celebrate in 2025. Two more states (Delaware and Vermont) dropped their outdated laws that restricted automatic knives. While some states still have blade length restrictions on automatic knives – and Washington has severe limits on who can carry autos – only two states outlaw entirely the sale and possession of automatic knives: Minnesota and New Mexico.
The American Knife and Tool Institute aims to do something about that!
Strategy sessions between AKTI’s Legislative Committee and our lobbying firm are well underway, and a plan for educating and working with legislators is being formed. Specifically in Minnesota, New Mexico, and Washington, too, we could use the help of residents there.
“When we look at the successes we had in Delaware and Vermont this year, one of the common elements we see is that personal relationships were forged in both of those states,” said Alyssa Ring, Director of Federal Government Affairs for Tremont Strategies Group, AKTI’s lobbying firm.
“The key in Delaware,” said Ring, “was having Willey Knives, a Delaware-based retailer whose owners are members of AKTI, speak to legislators and provide testimony.”
In Vermont, AKTI President CJ Buck had worked with state Senator Pat Brennan for years on dropping the Green Mountain State’s blade length restrictions. Having AKTI’s marketing assistant, Matt Crawford, a Vermonter, speak in person to legislators also helped keep the legislation moving, said Ring.
“We’re looking to replicate that personal, on-the-ground work in New Mexico and Minnesota,” said Ring. “We’ve got the talking points and the reasoning in shareable formats, but it would help to have AKTI members who are constituents of lawmakers in those states to be involved in conversations.”
Ring said folks don’t have to be retailers, knife collectors, or work in the knife industry to speak with state lawmakers. In fact, the voices of everyday folks can be more powerful. Here’s how you can help.
Maximizing Minnesota
Ring said she’s keenly aware that many folks can be a bit intimidated about inserting themselves in the byzantine legislative process. That’s okay. We’re not asking Minnesota residents to organize a day at the Capitol in St. Paul or volunteer to provide testimony (unless, of course, you want to). What we’re looking for this early in the process is for Minnesota residents to let us know who their state reps are. The Minnesota Legislature comprises 67 senators and 134 representatives. If you need help finding out who represents you, use the “Who Represents Me?” feature page from Geospatial Information Services to find out who your elected officials are based on your address.
Additionally, you can contact the Senate Information Office, Room 231, State Capitol, at (651) 296-0504 or House Public Information Services, 3300 Centennial Office Building (3rd floor), 658 Cedar Street, at (651) 296-2146 to learn who represents you in both the Senate and the House.
Once you have a solid contact, we can reach out to that lawmaker. It is impactful for us to say with certainty that they have constituents in their district who care about reshaping Minnesota’s knife laws.
Later in the process, we may ask you to get more involved if that interests you.
Names Needed in New Mexico
Much like Minnesota, AKTI needs to put modern reformation on knife laws on the radar of lawmakers in the Land of Enchantment. There are 42 state senators and 70 state reps in New Mexico, and we need to identify those who have constituents who are AKTI members.
There are several easy ways to find out who represents you in New Mexico. Click here, add a few details, and you’ll be directed to your lawmaker.
Local Connections: Super Important
“I always take the time to listen to the concerns of the voters in my district,” said Vermont Representative Dan Noyes, who helped push the blade length repeal there over the finish line. “We get tons of emails and lobbyists always want to sit down with us, but what really carries weight is when somebody in my district wants to talk about an issue that’s important to them.”
Ring agrees that local connections can be the most effective agent of change.
“Our goal in 2026 is to raise awareness in those two states,” Ring said. “IF an AKTI member or supporter has the chance to talk with their representatives or state senators, it would be helpful for us to know. Even if you’re not an AKTI member and you’re willing to talk to a state lawmaker, please let us know.”
If you live in Minnesota, New Mexico, or Washington and are interested in having a discussion with your state politicians about repealing bans on automatic knives, please let AKTI know. We can share background information and talking points to help with conversations you might have with lawmakers — just email akti@akti.org.
At your request, AKTI will reach out to your state representative or senator. You can remain anonymous, or we can use your name – that’s your call. Please send your name and address to akti@akti.org. If you know who your representative or senator is, please let us know.
Having additional AKTI members willing to advocate for repealing bans on automatic knives in Minnesota, New Mexico, and Washington could be the key to getting real, meaningful knife laws passed in these states.
You could be an agent of change!