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2019 SESSION

19102677D
SENATE BILL NO. 1251
Offered January 9, 2019
Prefiled January 5, 2019
A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-311 of the Code of Virginia, relating to manufacture and distribution of switchblade knives.
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Patron-- Reeves
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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 18.2-311 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 18.2-311. Prohibiting the selling or having in possession blackjacks, etc.

A. If any person sells or barters, or exhibits for sale or for barter, or gives or furnishes, or causes to be sold, bartered, given or furnished, or has in his possession, or under his control, with the intent of selling, bartering, giving or furnishing, any blackjack, brass or metal knucks, any disc of whatever configuration having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, switchblade knife, ballistic knife as defined in § 18.2-307.1, or like weapons, such person is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. The having in one's possession of any such weapon shall be prima facie evidence, except in the case of a conservator of the peace, of his intent to sell, barter, give or furnish the same.

B. The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to any manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of switchblade knives that imports, manufactures, distributes, or otherwise possesses any switchblade knives, or parts thereof, for export from or sale outside of the Commonwealth, including possession of switchblade knives, or parts thereof, for (i) trial, test, or other provisional use for evaluation and assessment purposes; (ii) transfer, distribution, or sale solely for export from or sale outside of the Commonwealth; or (iii) transfer between manufacturers, distributors, or retailers within the Commonwealth for eventual export from or sale outside of the Commonwealth.