Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director
On December 8, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted a letter to the Ohio House of Representatives in support of knife ban repeal legislation.
On November 24, Senate Bill 140 (SB 140) reported out of the House Committee on Criminal Justice on a 7-4 vote. The House of Representatives was expected to vote on the legislation last week, but the vote was postponed due to COVID-19.
Originally sponsored by former Ohio Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Senator Joe Uecker, SB 140 would repeal the prohibition against carrying a concealed knife as a concealed deadly weapon if the knife is not used as a weapon. The legislation would also remove the prohibition against the manufacture or sale of certain types of knives, many of which are legal to possess in Ohio.
CSF’s letter stated, “Knives are an essential tool for responsible hunting and fishing, and we strongly support repealing the knife ban to allow hunters and anglers to carry knives necessary for pursuing their pastimes. The legislation would remove an unwarranted bar against the carry of a legitimate tool and facilitate increased economic output and conservation funding for Ohio.”
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the legislation the week of December 14, and CSF is coordinating with partners to support the legislation’s advancement to the Governor’s desk.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
