,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hh ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,january #c1 #bjai,mr4 ,biggs 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,meadows1 ,mr4 ,latta1 ,mr4 ,duncan1 and ,mrs4 ,lesko7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on the ,judiciary1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to protect the right of law-abiding citizens to transport knives interstate1 notwithstanding a patchwork of local and ,state prohibitions1 and to repeal ,federal provisions related to switchblade knives which burden citizens4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,knife ,owners' ,protection ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,interstate transportation of knives 7a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding any provision of any law or any rule or regulation of the ,united ,states1 or of a ,state or any political subdivision of a ,state1 any person who is not otherwise prohibited by ,federal law from possessing1 transporting1 shipping1 or receiving a knife or knives shall be entitled to transport a knife or knives from any place where such person may lawfully possess1 carry or transport such a knife or knives to any other place where such person may lawfully possess1 carry or transport such a knife or knives if-- 7#a7 in the case of transportation by motor vehicle1 the knife or knives are not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle1 or1 in the case of a motor vehicle without a compartment separate from the passenger compartment1 the knife or knives shall be contained in a locked container1 glove compartment1 or console2 or 7#b7 in the case of transportation by other means 7including any conveyance over land1 on or through water1 or through the air71 the knife or knives are contained in a locked container4 7b7 ,emergency knives ,any knife or tool designed for enabling escape in an emergency incorporating a blunt tipped safety blade1 a guarded blade1 or both1 for cutting safety belts may be carried in the passenger compartment and need not be secured in a locked container1 glove compartment1 or console4 ,this subsection shall not apply to the transport of any such knife or tool in the passenger cabin of aircraft whose passengers are subject to airport screening procedures of the ,transportation ,security ,administration4 7c7 ,no arrest or detention ,a person who is transporting a knife or knives in compliance with this section may not be arrested or otherwise detained for violation of any law or any rule or regulation of a ,state or any political subdivision of a ,state related to the possession1 transportation1 or carrying of knives1 unless there is probable cause to believe that the person is not in compliance with at least one of the requirements of subsection 7a74 7d7 ,claim or defense ,a person may assert this section as a claim or defense in any action or proceeding1 civil or criminal4 ,when a person asserts this section as a claim or defense in a criminal proceeding1 the ,state or political subdivision shall bear the burden of proving1 beyond a reasonable doubt1 that the person was not in compliance with subsection 7a74 7e7 ,right of action ,any person who1 under color of any statute1 ordinance1 regulation1 custom1 or usage1 of any ,state or political subdivision of a ,state1 subjects1 or causes to be subjected1 any person to the deprivation of the rights1 privileges1 or immunities set forth in this section1 shall be liable to the person so deprived in an action at law1 suit in equity1 or other proper proceeding for redress4 ,when a person asserts this section as a claim or defense1 the court shall award the prevailing party 7including any party who receives a favorable resolution through a decision by a court1 settlement of a claim1 withdrawal of criminal charges1 or change of a statute or regulation71 other than a ,state or any political subdivision of a ,state or its employees or representatives1 a reasonable attorney's fee4 7f7 ,definition ,as used in this section1 the term transport includes staying in temporary lodging overnight1 common carrier misrouting or delays1 stops for food1 fuel1 vehicle maintenance1 emergencies1 medical treatment1 and all other activity related to the person's overall journey4 ,the term shall not include any transportation of a knife or knives with the intent to commit any offense punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year involving the use or threatened use of force against another1 or with knowledge1 or reasonable cause to believe1 that such an offense is to be committed in the course of1 or arising from1 such journey4 ,within any form of temporary lodging1 a knife or knives may be accessible4 7g7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section shall be construed in any way to limit any right to possess1 carry1 or transport a knife or knives under applicable ,state law4 #c4 ,repeal of ,federal provisions related to switchblade knives 7a7 ,repeals 7#a7 ,chapter #bi of title #ae1 ,united ,states ,code1 is repealed4 7#b7 ,subsections 7g7 and 7i7 of section #agaf1 title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 are repealed4 7b7 ,conforming ,amendments 7#a7 ,the table of chapters at the beginning of title #ae1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking the item relating to chapter #bi1 and inserting in lieu thereof1 ,chapter #bi4 ,repealed4 7#b7 ,section #agaf of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by redesignating-- 7,a7 subsection 7h7 as subsection 7g72 7,b7 subsection 7j7 as subsection 7h72 and 7,c7 subsection 7k7 as subsection 7i74 7c7 ,effective ,date ,the repeals made by subsection 7a7-- 7#a7 shall take effect on the date of enactment of this ,act2 and 7#b7 do not apply with respect to any indictment1 convictions1 sentencing1 appeals1 civil or criminal fines or penalties obtained1 forfeitures obtained1 terms of imprisonment or any other enforcement actions or proceedings occurring or commenced1 on or before the date of enactment of this ,act4