UPDATE – May 20, 2025 – S. 109, a housekeeping judiciary bill that will remove the under 3-inch blade length limit on automatic knives, passed the House. It’s off to Governor Scott to sign (which we fully expect him to). As of July 2, 2025, all automatic knives will be legal in the Green Mountain State!
UPDATE – May 8, 2025 – S. 109 unanimously passed the House Ways and Means Committee. After it passes the House, it will go to the Governor for signing. If all goes well, the bill will be effective July 2, 2025, and Vermonters can buy, sell, and carry automatic knives with no blade restrictions.
UPDATE – April 22, 2025 – S. 61 was incorporated into a sweeping judicial bill S. 109 and is being considered in the House Ways and Means Committee.
UPDATE – March 25, 2025 – The Senate passed this legislation, and it is awaiting House action.
UPDATE – February 25, 2025 – A companion House bill, H.350, was introduced by Rep. Noyes, a cosponsor of the legislation in 2019. The Senate bill S. 61 was referred to the Committee on Judiciary earlier.
Vermont Auto Repeal Reintroduced
Thank you, Senator Patrick Brennan, Grand Isle District, for continuing to support the American Knife & Tool Institute’s initiative to remove Vermont’s prohibition on automatic knives with a blade of three inches or more!
Senator Brennan introduced S. 61 An act relating to automatic knives, on February 11, 2025.
“This legislation is a common-sense measure that modernizes Vermont’s knife laws, ensuring that law-abiding citizens, tradespeople, and outdoor enthusiasts are not unfairly restricted in their use of essential tools,” said Sen. Brennan. “By removing outdated prohibitions on automatic opening knives, we are aligning our state’s laws with practical needs and personal freedoms. I’m proud to have filed this bill and appreciate the American Knife and Tool Institute’s advocacy on this issue.”
We appreciate Senator Brennan’s continued efforts on behalf of knife users, which began when he served in the House in 2019 by introducing H.124.
S.61 would amend Sec. 1. 13 V.S.A. § 4013 to read:
An act relating to automatic opening knives
10 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
11 Sec. 1. 13 V.S.A. § 4013 is amended to read:
12 § 4013. ZIP GUNS; SWITCHBLADE KNIVES
13 A person who possesses, sells, or offers for sale a weapon commonly
14 known as a “zip” gun, or a weapon commonly known as a switchblade knife,
15 the blade of which is three inches or more in length, shall be imprisoned not
16 more than 90 days or fined not more than $100.00, or both.
17 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
18 This act shall take effect on passage.
The Vermont legislative session is set to adjourn on May 9th.
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