Wisconsin Assembly Passes Knife Law Reform

Ammoland ^ | 28 October, 2015 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a knife law pre-emption and reform bill by voice vote.  The bill, AB 124, has a companion bill, SB 102 that is expected to be voted on in the Senate in the next few days.   Here is an analysis of AB 124, from wisconsin.gov:

This substitute amendment eliminates the prohibition against possessing, purchasing, or selling a switchblade knife. This substitute amendment treats knives in the same manner as current law treats firearms by prohibiting local governments from regulating the sale, purchase, or possession of knives and prohibiting charging a person with disorderly conduct for going armed with a knife without criminal intent. Finally, this substitute amendment eliminates a knife from being considered a weapon for purposes of a license to carry a concealed weapon, and eliminates the general prohibition against going armed with a concealed knife except that, under the substitute amendment, a person who is prohibited under state from possessing a firearm may not go armed with a concealed knife that is a dangerous weapon.

The last clause reduces the classes of persons who are prohibited from carrying concealed knifes that are “dangerous weapons” to those who are prohibited by law from possessing firearms.  The phrase “dangerous weapon” has always been ambiguous, and has been used to cover a wide variety of instruments in Wisconsin courts.

Wisconsin law prohibits the following classes of people from possessing firearms.  A person who:

[marktwain]

Knife law is the second front in the war to protect the Second Amendment. Knives are clearly arms protected under the Constitution.

[Pirate Ragnar]

I chased a would be burglar away from my home with a 6 inch butcher knife. After knives are banned, rocks and clubs are sure to be next. Idiots.

[bert]

Cpl Kenneth McCoy saved his own life with a knife when he killed three of the four Italian marines that attacked him on a Shanghai street. WEB Griffin..... The Corps

[Little Ray]

No. They don’t have to do that.
They will pass laws (like the UK did) limiting victims to using ‘proportional force.’ That way, if a 120 lb. woman tries to use a gun against an ‘unarmed’ 250 lb. rapist, she will be in the legal wrong.

[snoringbear]

A big problem with many knife laws is that they’re unclear, especially when defining legal length. I looked up Texas law before making this post. While the law is clear that maximum length is 5 1/2 inches for fixed or folding knife. I couldn’t find any definition about how to measure said length . For instance, should the blade be measured from tip to choil or tip to hilt? Knowing which is right could make the difference between being found guilty or innocent in court.

[LukeL]

Is that for carrying such a knife? I do believe Bowie Knives are technically illegal in Texas for that reason. Also if a DA wanted to be a jerk, you could lump in axes, hatchets, and saws into the knife law.

[loungitude]

if a DA wanted to be a jerk

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

True, but what are the chances of that?

[skimbell]

Here goes the camels nose under the tent again.

When knives are outlawed, only outlaws (and perhaps fine dining establishment chefs) will have knives.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Wisconsin legislature considering amendment to law prohibiiting certain knives and prohibiting certain classes of felons from carrying knives.

FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.

[Dick Vomer]

I’m not to worried about length, I prefer a double edged knife if I was to ever need one.... makes for a much better and easier defensive weapon.

nothing like dragging a blade across something twice to make sure things aren’t hooked up and blood vessels spring leaks.

[snoringbear]

Well, Lukel, when I’m out on my deer lease, driving about, going to grocery store, etc, I often have my Randall skinning knife strapped in my belt. So, thought I’d check out your comment. Appears you were correct up till about two months ago p. Check out this hot-link. Appears both switch blades and Bowie knives have been deleted from the illegal list. However, I think double edged knives of whatever design are still illegal.

http://www.ammoland.com/2015/06/knife-rights-texas-knife-law-preemption-bill-signed-by-governor/#axzz3psltTxPz

[Svartalfiar]

For instance, should the blade be measured from tip to choil or tip to hilt?

By the definitions of knife anatomy (not legal), the blade includes the entire length from point to tang. (Including choil but ending there.) By common understanding, most people would only include the sharpened/serrated length to be the 'blade'. So it'll likely depend on the prosecutor/your attorney. Of course, I don't know anyone who's had issues with this, and I doubt it would ever be an issue unless combined with some other charges as well.

[marktwain]

“Here goes the camels nose under the tent again.

When knives are outlawed, only outlaws (and perhaps fine dining establishment chefs) will have knives.”

This law *eliminates* most restrictions on carrying knives. It is a step toward enforcing the Second Amendment.

[luvie]

Good grief. Our jokes are becoming law!