HB 33-KNIVES, GRAVITY KNIVES, & SWITCHBLADES  1:39:41 PM CHAIR COGHILL announced the consideration of HB 33, and asked for a motion to adopt the proposed Senate committee substitute (CS). SENATOR DYSON moved to adopt Senate CS for HB 33, labeled 28- LS0194\C as the working document. 1:40:36 PM CHAIR COGHILL objected for purposes of an explanation. 1:40:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE MARK NEUMAN, sponsor of HB 33, stated support for the Senate CS for HB 33, version C. CHAIR COGHILL asked Mr. Kopp to explain the changes that version C made. 1:41:37 PM CHUCK KOPP, Staff to Senator Fred Dyson, stated that version C was a cooperative effort with the bill sponsor. He explained that Senator Dyson believes that criminal law should only apply to conduct that is blame worthy or that threatens public safety. Version C [incorporates SB 11] and makes it legal for a person 18 years or older to possess a gravity knife or switchblade. He provided the following sectional analysis: Section 1 decriminalizes the manufacture or sale of switchblades or gravity knives and provides that a person may not transfer or sell those knives to a person under age 18 without written parental consent. Section 2 provides that a person under age 16 may possess a gravity knife or switchblade if he/she has parental consent. Section 3 adopts definitions for the terms gravity knife and switchblade. [Section 4 adds "and knives" to AS 29.10.200.] Sections 5 and 6 give authority to the state to regulate knives so that a municipality can regulate conduct relating to knives to the extent that the ordinance is the same or less restrictive than state law. This is similar to the ability of the state to regulate firearms. Section 7 repeals AS 11.61.220(a)(5). MR. KOPP relayed that his research shows that less than two percent of assaults on public safety officers are done with knives, and in the past two years public safety officers have sustained no injuries or assaults from knives. Research also indicates that knives are less dangerous to the general population than other weapons, including hands and feet. He argued that in a state where a non-felon can legally carry a concealed handgun, it is incongruous that the person couldn't carry a gravity knife or switchblade, as they would any other knife. He directed attention to a display of legal knives. 1:46:32 PM REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN said he discussed this with law enforcement and the commissioner of public safety and they were not concerned with version C. CHAIR COGHILL asked the sponsor or Mr. Kopp to speak to the fact that this law, if enacted, would impose a different standard than is found in National Parks in the state. MR. KOPP explained that Jeffrey Olson, the National Parks spokesperson, said that the current federal parks' policy regarding weapons enforcement is to comply with state law. He said that knife regulations in the parks were less important than guns, but he would follow up. 1:48:47 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he supports the bill, but would like to hear from an attorney about the differences between federal and state law regarding knives. He suggested that it would be a good idea to educate Alaskans about what they can and can't do legally on federal land in this state. MR. KOPP explained that Mr. Olson encouraged the state to work with local park service offices to clearly post the rules and regulations. It's a duty of the state to communicate that public information, he said. CHAIR COGHILL encouraged the sponsors, before the bill reaches the floor, to speak with either the Region 10 director or a park supervisor in Alaska about how the bill may impact them. MR. KOPP acknowledged the suggestion. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he'd be more comfortable receiving written comments from the parks. 1:51:13 PM SENATOR DYSON commented that thousands of Alaskans carry assisted opening knives and they would be stunned to know that they're illegal. SENATOR DYSON moved to report [Senate CS for CSHB 33 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).] CHAIR COGHILL removed his objection and version C was before the committee. He said he would take up the motion when public testimony was finished. RAY THIVAULT, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska, stated that he owns a large knife store in Anchorage and would like to chime in that HB 33 would have a positive impact on trade industries and professionals. He said he had nothing negative to say about the bill. 1:53:50 PM CHAIR COGHILL announced that without objection [SCS CSHB 33(JUD)] moved from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.