District attorneys across the state have banded together to oppose a bill that would legalize gravity knives and switchblades.

“Given the rise in slashings and other knife crimes, it is unusual that the Legislature even considered this bill, not to mention passed it,” said Thomas Zugibe, president of the District Attorneys Association of New York.

The legislation was meant to protect legitimate knife users, such as tradespeople, from arrest.

State Sen. Diane Savino (D-SI) defended her legislation, saying that even Zugibe acknowledged there is no way to know how many such tradespeople have been arrested.