In Episode 623 of The Knife Junkie Podcast, host Bob DeMarco welcomes back Doug Ritter, founder of Knife Rights, the organization responsible for repealing knife bans across America. Since 2010, Knife Rights has achieved 58 legislative victories in 36 states and over 200 cities, making it legal for millions of Americans to carry knives they could not before.

Doug reveals the shocking racist origins of many knife laws, from post-Civil War restrictions targeting freed slaves to 1950s switchblade bans based on Hollywood myths rather than real crime data. He explains how a single magazine article titled The Toy that Kill sparked nationwide switchblade restrictions that persisted for decades, despite having no factual basis.

The conversation covers Knife Rights current legal strategy, including three federal lawsuits challenging knife restrictions using Second Amendment arguments strengthened by the Supreme Court's Bruen decision. Doug discusses recent victories like the Delaware switchblade ban repeal and ongoing challenges, including a brass knuckles ban in Tempe, Arizona that affects certain knife designs.

Listeners learn about essential tools for knife owners, including the newly updated LegalBlade app for checking state laws and U.S. LawShield legal protection for self-defense situations. Doug emphasizes the importance of knowing local knife laws, sharing stories of law-abiding citizens arrested for unknowingly violating archaic restrictions.

The episode concludes with information about supporting Knife Rights ongoing work and Doug's knife line with Hogue that helps fund his advocacy efforts.

Find more information and links at https://www.theknifejunkie.com/623, and learn more about Knife Rights at https://kniferights.org and follow them on Instagram @kniferights.

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