Bill > HB1962

This bill modifies Washington state law regarding spring blade knives, effectively decriminalizing their possession and use. Specifically, the bill removes spring blade knives from the list of dangerous weapons and provides a detailed definition of what constitutes a spring blade knife, distinguishing it from other types of folding knives. The legislation amends several existing statutes to reflect this change, including laws about weapons in schools, child care centers, and public spaces. Under the new definition, a spring blade knife is not considered a dangerous weapon if it contains a spring, detent, or mechanism that creates a bias toward closing the blade and requires physical effort to open. The bill also updates various references to weapons in existing laws, ensuring consistency with the new classification of spring blade knives. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, and are intended to provide clarity and potentially reduce restrictions on a specific type of knife that previously was considered a dangerous weapon.

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https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1962&Year=2025&Initiative=false