H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act; H.R. 60, the Knife Owners’ Protection Act of 2025; H.R. 2184, the Firearm Due Process Protection Act; H.R. 2255, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act; H.R. 2243, the LEOSA Reform Act of 2025; H.R. 2267, the NICS Data Reporting Act; and H.R. 2240, the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act of 2025.
2025-03-25
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Source: Congress.gov
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He's a coach. He was a real successful high school coach, but he made all his money in London. He gets 3,500 kids a summer at his camp all over the country, up the road from us. Really? Yeah. And more importantly, he's made a ton of money in this. He's getting ready to sell it. This wrestling apparel, wrestling shoes, kind of nice. He's got these venture capital guys coming in to buy it now. He's a hillbilly at the moment. Let's see if we can get started.
Committee will come to order without objection. The chair's authorized to declare recess at any time pursuant to Committee Rule 2, House Rule 11, Clause 2. The chairman may postpone further proceedings today on a question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an amendment for which a recorded vote is ordered. I now recognize the gentleman from Alabama to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. to the pride of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Pursuant to notice, I call up H.R. 60, the Knife Owners Protection Act of 2025 for purpose of markup and move that the committee report it favorably to the House. The clerk will report the bill. H.R. 60. Without objection, the bill will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from Arizona, Mr. Biggs, for an opening statement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The bill currently before us, H.R. 60, the Knife Owners Protection Act of 2025, or COPA, is a common-sense solution to a real-world problem. Knife laws vary widely from state to state. For example, some states place restrictions on the type of knife and length of the blade that may be lawfully possessed. Some states also prohibit the concealment of a knife and at what age an individual may carry a knife. Other states have restrictions on carrying knives on school grounds. Twenty-four states do not place any restrictions on the type of knife, its length and opening mechanisms, or whether the knife is evidently visible or hidden. Traveling across state lines with a knife can easily result in serious criminal penalties, as what is legal in one state may be restricted or illegal in a neighboring state. COPA establishes certainty for knife owners by protecting the right of law-abiding citizens to transport knives between states. COPA allows non-prohibited individuals to transport a knife across state lines in a vehicle or airplane if the knife is not accessible to the passenger compartment, not accessible to the passenger compartment, or locked in a compartment box. COPPA provides exceptions for an emergency knife to be carried to interstate without being locked in a compartment box unless an individual is being subjected to security screening through TSA. Under COPPA, if possession of a knife is legal in the states where the trip starts and ends and the knife is secured in accordance with the requirements outlined in the legislation, knife owners would not be subject to a state's criminal penalties while traveling from one state to another. COPA also establishes a strong right of action to allow individuals to seek damages from jurisdictions that violate COPA. I hope we all remember that the Second Amendment guarantees Americans the right to keep and bear arms to protect themselves, their families, their businesses, and Congress must ensure that those rights are protected. The Second Amendment protects an individual's right to not only purchase and possess firearms, but also knives. Like the Firearm Owners Protection Act that became law almost 50 years ago, The Knife Owners Protection Act will ensure that knife owners may travel from one state to another with a knife so long as it is transported in a safe manner and lawful to possess in the original jurisdiction and the jurisdiction that is the terminus without fear of undue prosecution.
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