On December 18, Ohio Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Senator Joe Uecker cosponsored Senate Bill 242, legislation that would repeal Ohio’s prohibition against the manufacture or sale of certain types of knives. Switchblade knives, springblade knives, and gravity knives are legal to possess in Ohio, but the manufacture, sale or provision of these knives is currently prohibited other than for use by law enforcement agencies. Senate Bill 242 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Reference.
Knife bans restrict sportsmen and women from using a legitimate tool when hunting, fishing or in everyday use. Senate Bill 242 would allow Ohioans to purchase these knives in state rather than spending their money elsewhere. Illinois and Michigan repealed similar bans in 2017.
Senator Joe Uecker said, “SB 242 just makes sense. These knives are already legal to possess and carry in Ohio. Our state’s sportsmen and women should be able to spend their dollars in Ohio. Sportsmen and women are a large economic force in the state, and this legislation will benefit our state’s economy.”
Over 1.56 million sportsmen and women in Ohio support more than 46,800 jobs across the state and contribute $2.75 billion to the state’s economy.
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?
