Balisongs, batangas, or butterfly knives are a cherished item and ancient tradition in Filipino culture. Many regard the butterfly knife as a martial art or form of dance. In some states you can spend years in jail for the crime of owning one.



Despite their associations with Asian gangs in the media, kitchen knives are used far more often in crimes. Butterfly knife restrictions date from switchblade laws in the 1950's and are the result of politicians attacking a popular symbol of crime rather than crime itself.



This petition does not concern switchblade, gravity, or other illegal types of knives. If you support their legalization, I realize we disagree but I hope you would see the legalization of butterfly knives as something that the public might be more receptive to and a positive shift in the political atmosphere of the issue.

I understand this issue doesn’t affect very many people, but the ones it affects it affects deeply. I hope you can take the time to electronically sign this petition for their national legalization, to the exclusion of switchblades, gravity knives, or other types of illegal knives.

I sincerely thank you for your time and open-mindedness on this misunderstood issue.

Photo by CalviNNation

