When a bill is about to come before a committee, it is imperative to let the legislators in that committee know what you think. Also, when a bill is about to be voted on, every member of the legislative body that will be voting on it should be contacted. I have personally been thanked by a representative for explaining the issue to him. He told of the stir that concerned citizens like me had caused among his fellow legislators. He first heard about it when he noticed groups of people talking in the hallways about the letters and phone calls they had been receiving. By the way, try to get their attention on the morning they are to make decisions on the issue. The first thing they do in the morning is ask, what messages or letters have come in that haven't hit their desk yet. 

I don't mean to make this an advertisement of knife rights groups. But, I was very involved in some early fights. The knife rights groups are doing a lot of good by using lobbyists in D.C.. The best way we can help without totally relying on these groups is to contact legislators, no matter what state they represent, and tell them what our concerns are. Be respectful, but firm, in your conviction. Identify the legislation that you don't like. Also send a copy of that communication to your favored group or all of them. An attorney who has been very successful in changing knife laws across this country has said that when going before a committee, it is impressive when he can sit down with his legal team carrying a huge stack of copies of letters and petitions sent in by concerned citizens.

Recent successes in Colorado have shown that people have the power to take out politicians when they pose a threat to civil liberties. Nothing gets the attention of a politician quicker than a threat to their staying in a position of power. A politician who introduces a bill that is a violation of our rights should feel the pressure from across the country. When other politicians see what happens to that politician, they will think twice before doing the same. We have to identify a specific target based on what our knife rights groups tell us or we learn from stories here. Go at them with everything we have until they get the message or are removed from the scene. Then, the world must be made to pay attention to what happens when you take us on.  Being nice does not work with these people.

When a bill is introduced that is in our favor, we must let the legislator know we appreciate it and support it, and why. 

Clay,

Thank you.  I actually read this also and was heading over here to put it up.  I appreciate your beating me to it.  This is such an important legal decision and whether we will live there or not it effects us all

Exactly what knives are they talking about? I've heard that a number of idiots think "one hand opening" knives are like switchblades or gravity knives.