State Supreme Court rules paring knives not protected by Second Amendment

SEATTLE (AP) — A divided Washington Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a Seattle law prohibiting people from carrying fixed-blade knives such as kitchen utensils for self-defense does not conflict with the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment.

In a majority opinion written by Justice Charles Wiggins the court ruled that small paring knives are not an arm entitled to constitutional protection.

He calls the knife a utility tool, not a weapon and says that any common object may be used as a weapon but won't trigger the constitutional protections afforded to "arms."

The 5-4 ruling includes a strongly worded dissent, saying the Seattle law is too broad and is likely unconstitutional.

In the dissent, written by Justice Mary Fairhurst, argues the opposite conclusion that a fixed-blade knife is a bearable arm.