Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2025: New Federal Law Overrides State Knife Restrictions During Interstate Travel

The "Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2025" (SEC. 1) creates a federal shield for people transporting knives across state lines, even if those knives are banned in certain states or cities along the way. The core idea is to prevent a "patchwork" of local laws from tripping up legal knife owners who are simply passing through.

Road Rules for Blades

This bill lays down specific ground rules for how knives must be transported (SEC. 2). In cars, knives can't be "directly accessible" from where people sit. If your vehicle has a separate trunk, that works. Otherwise, the knife needs to be in a locked container—think a locked glove box, toolbox, or a dedicated case. For air travel, it's similar: locked container, and definitely not in the cabin with you. Other modes of transport? Locked container is the rule.

There's one exception: emergency escape tools with blunt or guarded blades (like those designed to cut seatbelts) can be kept within reach in your car and don't need to be locked up. This exception, however, doesn't apply to air travel where TSA rules are in effect.

The bill defines "transport" (SEC. 2) to include overnight stays and necessary stops, so you're covered if you need to grab a hotel or deal with a flat tire. However, if someone is transporting knives with the intent to use those knives in a crime, all bets are off—this law won't protect them.

Your Rights, and What to Do If They're Violated

Crucially, the bill says you cannot be arrested or detained just for violating a state or local knife law if you're following these federal transportation rules (SEC. 2). If someone is wrongly arrested, they can use this law as a defense. The burden of proof is on the state to show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the person wasn't following the federal rules.

And if your rights under this law are violated by a state or local government? You can sue (SEC. 2). If you win, you're entitled to "reasonable attorney's fees" – meaning the government has to cover your legal costs. However, If the government wins the lawsuit, they are not entitled to attorney fees.

The Fine Print, and Potential Issues

While the bill aims for clarity, there's room for interpretation. What exactly counts as a "locked container"? The law doesn't provide a strict definition. Similarly, what qualifies as "directly accessible" could be debated. And while the "emergency knife" exception makes sense, it's not super specific about what kinds of tools qualify.

It's also important to note that the bill explicitly states it doesn't override any existing state laws about who can own or carry knives within that state (SEC. 2). It only deals with transportation through states. It also doesn't change any existing rules about knives on airplanes, sticking to current TSA regulations.

Overall, this bill is a significant move to standardize knife transportation rules across the country. It prioritizes the right to travel with knives, even across areas with stricter local laws, but it also sets up some specific requirements – and potential legal gray areas – that knife owners will need to understand.