Knife Advocates Approve Of Wisconsin Bill

A bill legalizing automatic knives like switchblades is being hailed as commonsense reform by a national advocacy group for knife owners.

Knife Rights is a nonprofit organization that aims to fight legal restrictions on knives in America. Legislative Affairs Director Todd Rathner said Wisconsin’s current law banning switchblades and other assisted-opening knives is confusing and harmful to law abiding citizens.

“The law is so poorly written that many common pocket knives you can buy in any kind of a sporting goods store could potentially be illegal,” said Rathner. “It all depends on the police officer that may stop you, or in the worst case the judge that you end up in front of if you actually end up at a trial.”

A bill introduced by state Rep. Kathy Bernier, R-Chippewa Falls, would make it legal to carry a switchblade. Convicted felons would be prohibited from carrying the knives.