New Hampshire Knife Rights Bill
WE WON!
SWITCHBLADE KNIVES
NOW LEGAL IN NH
BY DAN TUOHY - UNION LEADER
May 18: New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has signed Rep. Jenn Coffey’s Knife Rights Bill into law, removing restrictions on switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos in Hew Hampshire and essentially removing all restrictions on knives in New Hampshire state law. New Hampshire now has no knife laws which stop law abiding citizens from buying, selling, owning, carrying, possessing, transporting, collecting, or lawfully using any type of knife. This is the first complete repeal of a state's knife restrictions ever.
NH Union Leader Front Page Headline: "Switchblade knives now legal in NH..."
Read entire article.
NH Union Leader Front Page Headline: "Switchblade knives now legal in NH..."
Read entire article.
Knives, seized in 2002, can’t be found
Law change: Owner is seeking to have them returned to him, but many are missing.
By ROGER AMSDEN
Union Leader Correspondent
Union Leader State Edition 06/15/2010, Page B03
NEW HAMPTON — Police here are working with the Belknap County Attorney’s office and Belknap County Sheriff’s Department on an investigation into what happened to knives that were seized eight years ago, many of which now appear to be missing.
The internal investigation was sought by New Hampton Police Chief Merritt Salmon after a motion for the return of property was filed last month in Laconia District Court by Abram Foote, owner of Abe’s Awesome Armaments.
According to Foote’s attorney, Evan Nappen of Concord, police seized between 30 and 50 knives on July 24, 2002, after Foote was arrested on three counts of selling illegal knives.
The law in effect at that time, a portion of which was unanimously repealed last year by the state Legislature, prohibited the possession or sale of “any stiletto, switch knife, blackjack, dagger, dirk-knife, slung shot or metallic bare knuckles,’’ according to Nappen.
Foote pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to sell one of those knives with the other two charges placed on file.
Nappen said the knives should never have been confiscated in the first place, noting that the law provided only that weapons which were carried by a person were subject to confiscation. “He was charged with selling one of the knives to a law enforcement officer, whom he knew,’’ said Nappen said the law specifically pro vided exceptions for sales of knives to law enforcement, hunters and fishermen.
Following Foote’s conviction, the state filed a motion to dispose of the seized items on December 30, 2002, but the motion was denied a few days later, leaving the knives in possession of New Hampton police.That was where the matter rested until last month when Nappen filed the motion for return of Foote’s property, noting that the law under which they were confiscated had been repealed and that Foote had not been carrying, but only offering for sale, those knives which had been seized.
He maintained that their return would on no way undermine confidence in the criminal justice system, pointing out that Foote is a federally licensed firearms dealer and a legitimate businessman with an established business at his Route 104 store. InPoliceChiefSalmon’sreply to request for return of property, he notes that he assumed the chief’s job on April 10, 2009, and that the prosecutor for the case against Foote was former Police Chief Nathaniel Sawyer.
He wrote “upon review of this documentation, I have been unable to clearly identify all of the knives as they are listed in the report’’ and that in order to be accurate about the inventory an internal investigation would be needed.
Salmon wrote that he was prepared to hand over those items clearly identified from the inventory and would request to continue holding those not clearly identified.Nappen said that about twothirds of the knives have been returned and praised Salmon for his cooperation.
Salmon requested that the court allow him 60 days to complete an investigation, and last week Laconia District Court Senior Active Judge David O. Huot ordered the return of the knives that were identifiable. “The state may retain items not identifiable as related to the search warrant for not more than 60 days, after which the defendant shall have the right to a hearing at which all such items shall be produced in court for inspection by defendant and his counsel,” Huot wrote in his ruling.
Nappen said Foote isn’t trying to seek restitution and has no intention of attempting to hold the department liable if all of the knives aren’t accounted for. “He’s cooperating with them and trying to help them. But it does raise questions about the need for vigilance in making sure that seized evidence is properly stored and good records maintained,’’ said Nappen.
By ROGER AMSDEN
Union Leader Correspondent
Union Leader State Edition 06/15/2010, Page B03
NEW HAMPTON — Police here are working with the Belknap County Attorney’s office and Belknap County Sheriff’s Department on an investigation into what happened to knives that were seized eight years ago, many of which now appear to be missing.
The internal investigation was sought by New Hampton Police Chief Merritt Salmon after a motion for the return of property was filed last month in Laconia District Court by Abram Foote, owner of Abe’s Awesome Armaments.
According to Foote’s attorney, Evan Nappen of Concord, police seized between 30 and 50 knives on July 24, 2002, after Foote was arrested on three counts of selling illegal knives.
The law in effect at that time, a portion of which was unanimously repealed last year by the state Legislature, prohibited the possession or sale of “any stiletto, switch knife, blackjack, dagger, dirk-knife, slung shot or metallic bare knuckles,’’ according to Nappen.
Foote pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to sell one of those knives with the other two charges placed on file.
Nappen said the knives should never have been confiscated in the first place, noting that the law provided only that weapons which were carried by a person were subject to confiscation. “He was charged with selling one of the knives to a law enforcement officer, whom he knew,’’ said Nappen said the law specifically pro vided exceptions for sales of knives to law enforcement, hunters and fishermen.
Following Foote’s conviction, the state filed a motion to dispose of the seized items on December 30, 2002, but the motion was denied a few days later, leaving the knives in possession of New Hampton police.That was where the matter rested until last month when Nappen filed the motion for return of Foote’s property, noting that the law under which they were confiscated had been repealed and that Foote had not been carrying, but only offering for sale, those knives which had been seized.
He maintained that their return would on no way undermine confidence in the criminal justice system, pointing out that Foote is a federally licensed firearms dealer and a legitimate businessman with an established business at his Route 104 store. InPoliceChiefSalmon’sreply to request for return of property, he notes that he assumed the chief’s job on April 10, 2009, and that the prosecutor for the case against Foote was former Police Chief Nathaniel Sawyer.
He wrote “upon review of this documentation, I have been unable to clearly identify all of the knives as they are listed in the report’’ and that in order to be accurate about the inventory an internal investigation would be needed.
Salmon wrote that he was prepared to hand over those items clearly identified from the inventory and would request to continue holding those not clearly identified.Nappen said that about twothirds of the knives have been returned and praised Salmon for his cooperation.
Salmon requested that the court allow him 60 days to complete an investigation, and last week Laconia District Court Senior Active Judge David O. Huot ordered the return of the knives that were identifiable. “The state may retain items not identifiable as related to the search warrant for not more than 60 days, after which the defendant shall have the right to a hearing at which all such items shall be produced in court for inspection by defendant and his counsel,” Huot wrote in his ruling.
Nappen said Foote isn’t trying to seek restitution and has no intention of attempting to hold the department liable if all of the knives aren’t accounted for. “He’s cooperating with them and trying to help them. But it does raise questions about the need for vigilance in making sure that seized evidence is properly stored and good records maintained,’’ said Nappen.
Police Ordered to Return NH Dealer's Switchblade Inventory
Abe Foote of Abe’s Awesome Armaments in New Hampton, NH, who was an unfairly prosecuted victim of New Hampshire’s former restrictions on switchblade sales, was reunited on Wednesday with some of the knives the police had seized.
Unfortunately, approximately one third of the knives seized by the police remain unaccounted for, having disappeared from the evidence room. An internal investigation has been launched by the County Prosecutor. Knife Rights attorney and Freedom’s Point award winner Evan Nappen got the court order for the knives’ return.
To read more click here.
NH Governor Signs Knife Rights Bill into Law
by Soldier of Fortune Editor
New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has signed Rep. Jenn Coffey’s Knife Rights Bill into law, removing restrictions on switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos in Hew Hampshire and essentially removing all restrictions on knives in New Hampshire state law. New Hampshire now has no state knife laws which stop law abiding citizens from buying, selling, owning, carrying, possessing, transporting, collecting, or lawfully using any type of knife. This is the first complete repeal of a state’s knife restrictions ever. It is worth noting the bipartisan appeal of this legislation; a bill introduced by a minority member of the legislature passed with unanimous consent in both Democratic controlled houses and signed by a Democratic Governor. Proof of what can be accomplished when you have a well-conceived plan and combine a passionate and effective legislator; a professional lobbying effort supported by Knife Rights and organized, hard-working and involved citizen support.
Rep. Coffey will be honored with Knife Rights’ Freedom’s Edge award at Knife Rights’ Sharper Future™ Awards Breakfast at BLADE Show in Atlanta on June 5th (see below). Special thanks to New Hampshire Knife Rights member Evan Nappen for his local leadership and hard work toward getting this legislation passed.
To read more visit: http://www.sofmag.com/wp/2010/05/nh-governor-signs-knife-rights-bill-into-law/
Rep. Coffey will be honored with Knife Rights’ Freedom’s Edge award at Knife Rights’ Sharper Future™ Awards Breakfast at BLADE Show in Atlanta on June 5th (see below). Special thanks to New Hampshire Knife Rights member Evan Nappen for his local leadership and hard work toward getting this legislation passed.
To read more visit: http://www.sofmag.com/wp/2010/05/nh-governor-signs-knife-rights-bill-into-law/
More Articles
The Blade Backlash Has Begun
by Steve Shackleford, editor of BLADE MAGAZINE
"In fact, rather than merely awakening American knife enthusiasts, Customs may have started a blade backlash the likes of which the country has never seen. Case in point: A week before H.R. 2892 became law, Rep. Jenn Coffey introduced a bill (LSR 2010-2015) in the New Hampshire state legislature that would mandate for New Hampshire citizens what the U.S. Constitution mandates for all U.S. citizens—the right to keep and bear arms, in this case, knives. "
To read more visit: http://www.blademag.com/article/the-blade-backlash-has-begun
Protecting Your Knife Rights!
by Representative Jennifer Coffey
"Knife rights and gun rights both come under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. The Second Amendment refers to “arms,” not guns."
To read more visit: www.2asisters.org
NH State Rep. Introduces Knife Rights Bill
by Doug Ritter, Knife Rights, Inc.
"New Hampshire State Representative Jennifer Coffey has introduced a bill to legalize "stilettos, switch knives, daggers, and dirk-knives" for all law-abiding citizens in New Hampshire."
To read more visit: www.kniferights.org
Pro-Gun New Hampshire Knife Rights
by Sam Cohen
"Why a knife bill in the New Hampshire legislature - and why switchblades? First of all, the Second Amendment talks about "arms," not "firearms" - and that includes knives. Second, demonizing certain knives is like demonizing certain guns: the enemies of freedom have used a "divide and conquer" strategy by trying to persuade some gun owners that certain guns are evil: "why would anyone want an assault weapon,"
To read more visit: www.pgnh.org
Knife owners in New Hampshire have more than just the 1958 Switchblade Act amendment to be excited about.
by Ben Sobieck
"New Hampshire State Representative Jennifer Coffey recently introduced a pro-knife bill that would focus knife restrictions on their USE by criminals."
To read more visit: www.blademag.com
New Hampshire State Legislator Introduces Pro-Knife Bill
"In today’s anti-knife world, it is a rare treat to see someone in politics promoting knife rights."
by Scott King
To read more visit: www.cutlerynewsjournal.com
Dr. Katherine Albrecht Radio Show 1/26/10
Rep. Jenn Coffey joins Dr. Katherine Albrecht on the Genesis Network to talk about knives, Liberty, and Constitutional Rights.
Click here to view the page and links, or here to listen to the podcast.
www.katherinealbrecht.com
Click here to view the page and links, or here to listen to the podcast.
www.katherinealbrecht.com