If republican lawmakers get their way switchblades, which have been illegal since 1958, might be back on the market in Wisconsin. NBC26 explains how a new bill is just one step away from making the once controversial knife legal.
Today you can legally purchase switchblades online at gun shows and even in some states. But that doesn't mean you can carry them here in Wisconsin legally. If a new law goes through though, you might be able to find them at your local shopping mall.
At Look Sharp in Appleton, employees often cut people short when it comes to a discussion about the sales of switchblades.
"We do not sell switchblades," says Eden Sweatt a store manager at Look Sharp.
"I've seen one come in once. They wanted it sharpened and I was like I'm not touching it," adds store manager Chris Gooding at Look Sharp.
Many people outside of the business of knife sales though think of the old school knife that pops open with the touch of a button in a negative light.
"If there is an individual carrying one of those I'd question their motives as far as why they feel they actually have to have one," says Dale Peterson of Appleton.
But at Look Sharp, they see no major difference between how a switchblade operates, compared to their popular assortment of spring assisted knives.
"It's not gonna be faster, it's not gonna be more dangerous, it's just gonna be different," adds Sweatt.
"As soon as we're for sure that they are going to be completely legal with no issues he (boss) wants to fill up an entire shelf in a big case," adds Gooding.
But others, including one Army veteran from Appleton don't see the need for another weapon to add to the ever growing arsenal of legal items, one can carry on their person.
"I've held them, I have never owned one. But they can be a pretty dangerous weapon in the wrong hands," adds Peterson.
The state Senate recently passed the bill that would allow switchblades to be concealed and carried here in Wisconsin. It now awaits governor walker's approval.
That bill would also allow anyone who can legally possess a gun to carry a concealed knife of any length in public.
