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119-s-246119th Congress

Interstate Transport Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Budd, Ted [R-NC]

In Committee

Summary

Would create a federal right for people to transport knives across state lines for lawful purposes. It would set conditions for secure storage, allow certain emergency cutting tools in passenger compartments, and leave aircraft cabin rules to the Transportation Security Administration.

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  • Travelers: People would be allowed to carry knives between places where possession is legal if the knife is not directly accessible in a vehicle or is kept in a locked container for other travel modes.
  • Emergency tools: Blunt tipped or guarded knives designed to cut seat belts for escape would be allowed in passenger compartments without locked storage.
  • Legal relief for defendants: A person who wins a claim or defense under the bill would be awarded costs and reasonable attorney fees and could have arrest and prosecution records expunged.
  • State and local rules: Conflicting state or local transport bans would be overridden by the federal baseline but the bill would not reduce any broader state rights to possess or carry knives.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Federal right to transport knives

If enacted, the bill would let people not barred by federal law carry knives between places where they may lawfully have them. For car travel, the knife must not be directly accessible from the passenger area, or if the car has no separate compartment, it must be in a locked container other than the glove box or console. For non‑motor travel, including travel over land or on water, the knife must be in a locked container. The bill would cover routine travel events like stops for food, fuel, vehicle maintenance, emergencies, medical care, temporary overnight lodging, and common carrier delays. It would not protect transport with intent to commit a violent felony punishable by more than 1 year, and it would not apply to knives in passenger aircraft cabins under TSA rules. If you follow these rules, State or local officers could not arrest you for knife possession or transport unless they have probable cause you broke them.

Recover legal fees and expunge records

If enacted, the bill would require courts to award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to a person who asserts this section as a claim or defense and prevails in a civil or criminal case. If the person prevails in a criminal case, the court would also order official arrest and case records relating to that offense expunged. These remedies apply only when you raise the claim or defense and win.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Budd, Ted [R-NC]

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 1/24/2025

  • Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 1/24/2025

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 1/24/2025

  • Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 1/24/2025

  • Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 1/24/2025

  • Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 1/24/2025

  • Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 2/3/2025

  • Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 5/15/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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