Washington, D.C. – The issue is resolved, but it means an Idaho Congressman no longer has an excuse to slip out his pocketknife at a committee meeting.
Last week, the House of Representatives approved the conference report setting appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security. This final bill included language preventing spring-assisted knives from being classified by the Department as switchblades. The language was first championed by Rep. Walt Minnick (D-Idaho) and Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio.)
“This amendment was necessary to prevent commonly-used pocketknives from being branded as illegal switchblades,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA chief lobbyist. “The National Rifle Association would like to thank Congressman Minnick, whose leadership helped fix a provision that would have criminalized millions of law-abiding Americans – including many hunters and sportsmen in Idaho.”
Minnick received national attention earlier this year when, during testimony in support of the measure, he illustrated his point using a spring-assisted knife he carries in his pocket.
“Like most Idahoans, I carry a pocketknife,” Minnick said. “That shouldn’t make me a criminal. Passage of this bill means that the kinds of knives we use while rafting Idaho rivers or fishing its streams or hunting its mountains – or even just to open a stubborn package at the office – will remain legal and free of regulation.”
Minnick’s staff worked closely with other Congressional offices in championing the measure, and solicited feedback from key constituencies at home in Idaho.
“I want to thank Congressman Latta, Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), as well as Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo from Idaho for being great partners in championing this cause.” Minnick said. “This is an important win not only for people who carry these knives, but also for the workers in my District who manufacture them.”
Minnick’s district includes Buck Knives, one of the nation’s best-known manufacturers of spring-assisted knives and other knife products for hunters, outdoorsmen, collectors and enthusiasts.
"This issue involved regulation that was unclear and damaging to Idaho businesses," said CJ Buck, president of Buck Knives. "Rep. Walt Minnick and Sen. Mike Crapo really stepped up and supported an amendment that clarified and solved our issue, and that support is why Idaho continues to be so business friendly. It is a testament to our relocation to Idaho that when pending legislation is damaging to an Idaho business, our legislators partnered with us in finding a workable solution."
