Brief Description: Concerning permissible weaponry for on-duty law enforcement officers.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Delvin, Eide, Hewitt, Brandland, Pridemore, Holmquist, McCaslin, Haugen, Jacobsen, Honeyford, Rasmussen and Roach).

Senate Committee on Judiciary
House Committee on Judiciary

Background: It is a gross misdemeanor for any person to manufacture, sell, dispose, or possess a spring blade knife. Generally, a spring blade knife is a knife that has a spring-operated blade that opens instantly when a release on the handle is pressed.

Summary: A law enforcement officer who carries a spring blade knife in the discharge of official duty is exempt from current law that prohibits possession of a spring blade knife.

Law enforcement officers may not be prosecuted for possession of a spring blade knife when the officer is not on official duty and is transporting the knife to and from the location where it is stored.

Law enforcement officers also may not be prosecuted for storage of a spring blade knife.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      47   0
House      93   2   (House amended)
Senate      49   0   (Senate concurred)

Effective:   July 22, 2007