S. 246 — Interstate Transport Act of 2025

This section establishes a federal right for persons not prohibited by federal law from possessing a knife to transport it interstate (i.e., between places where possession is lawful under applicable law), notwithstanding contrary state or local laws, if the knife is (1) in a motor vehicle, not directly accessible from the passenger compartment or stored in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console; or (2) in other transport, including over land or water, in a locked container. (Transport broadly includes journey-related activities such as overnight stays, delays, or stops for food, fuel, maintenance, emergencies, or medical treatment, but excludes transport with intent or knowledge of use in a violent federal felony.) It further permits carrying emergency escape knives (i.e., with only blunt-tipped safety or guarded blades designed to cut safety belts) in passenger compartments without a locked container; prohibits arrests for compliant transport absent probable cause of noncompliance; awards costs and reasonable attorney fees to prevailing parties asserting the right in civil or criminal proceedings; requires expungement of related arrest, charge, and disposition records for prevailing criminal defendants; and specifies that it does not limit state law rights to possess, carry, or transport knives. These protections do not apply to knives or tools in passenger aircraft cabins under Transportation Security Administration rules.