As I sit here over the July 4th weekend composing this newsletter, it's hard not to reflect on the incredible freedom we enjoy compared to virtually anyplace else on earth. I am eternally grateful I was born in this great country. Having said that, one only has to look at recent events to realize how fragile that freedom is. There are always those who feel they have the right to restrict your freedoms to fit within their definition of freedom, however skewed that may be.

The recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold an individual's right to bear arms is both a victory for common sense and freedom and a warning about how fragile that freedom is. One vote was the difference. The most important lesson to be learned from this case and decision is that few things will impact our freedoms more than who sits on that court. That's something to seriously think about come November 4th.

Read further about the Heller Decision, our Blade Show Report and a Special Offer for new Knifemaker Members.

By Evan F. Nappen, Attorney at Law

A trial is still an ordeal by battle. For the broadsword there is the weight of evidence; for the battle-ax, the force of logic; for the sharp spear, the blazing gleam of truth; for the rapier, the quick and flashing knife of wit.
           --Lloyd Paul Stryker

You have NO need to read this article because it could never happen to you. Right? This article must have been written for knife-wielding thugs or street-gang members. Right? Why would law enforcement authorities ever come after you? Right?

WRONG! Merely because you possess or carry a knife, anti-knife law enforcers may try to justify their existence by turning you into an accused “law abiding” criminal. Even though you are a careful, honest knife owner, with no intent to do anything wrong and would never knowingly break the law, this can easily happen to you. I have plenty of criminal case files chock full of examples of innocent, unsuspecting, law abiding folks having to fight their way though the justice system to “prove their innocence.”

Recently the Anti's have taken aim at our knives after being shut down in their efforts to further restrict firearms. We are a tempting target because there's no NRA to defend our rights. A recent highly biased and inaccurate Wall Street Journal article was an opening salvo in this attack, attempting to demonize simple pocket knives just like they did with "assault weapons." One only has to look to Europe where many of the knives we take for granted are banned or restricted. That's their aim here in the U.S. Knife Rights will lead the fight for your rights; an organization by knife owners, for knife owners. Read more about why the time is ripe for Knife Rights.

 "This is a commendable effort to protect the freedoms we both hold dear. I am pleased to support your efforts by joining Knife Rights as a Cornerstone Charter Member."

                     -- Sandy Froman