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HR60119th Congress

Knife Owners’ Protection Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

In Committee

Summary

Creates a federal floor letting people legally transport knives across state lines when they meet specified storage and conduct rules. It defines what counts as "transport," sets where and how knives must be secured during travel, and adds criminal defenses plus a federal civil remedy for travelers who follow the rules.

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  • People who legally possess knives can carry them across the 50 states and U.S. territories if they meet the Act's storage rules. Transport covers things like overnight stays in temporary lodging, common carrier delays, stops for food or fuel, and emergencies.
  • For vehicles and other travel the bill generally requires knives to be out of passenger reach or in a locked container. For air travel knives must be in a locked container and not in the passenger cabin, and Transportation Security Administration screening rules still apply.
  • Compliant travelers gain protection from arrest or detention under state or local knife laws unless there is probable cause they broke the storage rules. They may raise the statute as a defense and private parties can sue for violations and seek reasonable attorneys' fees.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Legal protections for knife travelers

If enacted, state or local police could not arrest or detain you for carrying or transporting a knife if you follow the transport rules, unless they have probable cause you broke those rules. You could use these protections as a claim or defense, and in criminal cases the State would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were not in compliance. You could sue if officials acting under state or local law deny you these rights, and a winning private party would get reasonable attorney’s fees; States and their employees could not recover fees.

Rules for traveling with knives

If enacted, you could transport knives across state lines if federal law does not bar you and both ends allow possession. In cars, knives would need to be not directly reachable from the passenger area; if there is no separate compartment, they must be in a locked container, locked glove box, or locked console. On planes, knives would need to be in a locked container and not in the passenger cabin; on other transport, they must be locked. You could keep a blunt‑tip or guarded emergency‑escape knife reachable in a car, but not in an aircraft cabin. Travel would include overnight lodging—where you could keep the knife accessible if you follow these rules—plus food or fuel stops, delays, emergencies, and similar trip needs. This protection would not apply if you intend to commit a violent felony.

State knife rights and air travel unchanged

If enacted, this section would not change any right you have under your State’s knife laws. It also would not add new federal limits or requirements for interstate air travel with knives.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

AZ • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 1/3/2025

  • Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 2/25/2025

  • Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/6/2025

  • Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 7/16/2025

  • Crane

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 7/16/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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