Knife Rights' bill to repeal Louisiana's ban on the concealed carry of switchblades, HB 463, was passed unanimously by the Senate. It previously passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, 92-2. It now heads to Governor John Edwards for his action.

Knife Rights sincerely appreciates the efforts of Dan Zelenka, President of the Louisiana Shooters Association, for his support of our legislative agenda in Louisiana.

In 2018 Knife Rights was able repeal Louisiana’s complete ban on switchblades,but in order to get it passed we had to compromise by including the restriction that the knife not be “intentionally concealed on one’s person.”

Last year, Louisiana HB 124, providing for the concealed carry of any “instrumentality customarily used or intended for use as a dangerous weapon” as long as the carrier has a concealed handgun permit, was enacted. That included knives, except, unfortunately, switchblades. Intentional concealed carry of a switchblade (automatic knife) remains illegal in Louisiana, even for concealed handgun permitees. HB 463 would remove that ban.

Knife Rights has led the effort to repeal switchblade bans or restrictions in 19 states, starting with New Hampshire in 2010. Repeals have since been enacted in Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia (effective July 1), Washington and Wisconsin.

Altogether, Knife Rights' efforts have resulted in 37 bills enacted repealing knife bans in 25 states and over 150 cities and towns since 2010.