Am I the only one who has had this happen?

N

Nate

Joined
Jan 15, 1999
Messages
237
Well heres a story for you guys and dolls. I live in NY state (far from NYC) and I checked with the local cops about having possession of balisongs. According to them, they were legal in the proper sheath, closed and not carried on my immediate person (this allowed me to carry one in my vehicle). Well, I had a cheap Jag in my glovebox and when I went to pull out the necessary paperwork for a traffic stop (sometimes you should just stay home) Mr Town Clowne saw it and took it, saying it was illegal. I then went to the station again and talked to the same sarge. This man is a vague aquaintance of mine and once again assured me I had done nothing wrong. However, there was no record of anyone bringing in a balisong and since I didnt get a ticket after all (Thank God) I can't finger the officer. Looks like he got an early christmas present. Im just glad it wasnt a BM45 or my waterbuffalo horn handmade Batangas knife (Neither of which Id have any reason to ever take out of my home). Its funny, I bought the Jag because Im left-handed and didnt want to spend the money on a spyderco and I used it for things when fishing and camping etc...now I am damn near obsessed with all balisongs. My best friends son will inherit his baseball cards, If I have a son he'll get balisongs apparently. Heh, I think balis are more fun to play with anyway.

Nate
ps sorry for rambling
 
If a Police Officer confiscates anything, ask for a receipt nicely. If he says, "Sure, I'll give you a receipt, then I'll have to take you to jail..."

That is your decision entirely. The guy is a crook, if he did not turn it in, he simply and illegally stole your knife. The only thing worse than that is, he used his Authority and his Badge to do it, which is worse than simply being stolen.

------------------
"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
And, I'm a Usual Suspect.
Some of my Knives and other neat things
 
This is a common occurence.I've heard about it happening many times to people that I know.And it's not just balisongs that get taken.
You should always ask the officer for a receipt for any items confiscated (unless they are absolutely illegal),and for the officer's name & badge number.If you do this,they are supposed to give these to you.Yes,there are officers who are just pricks,but you can still look at the car # and write down date,time,location,car # and a description of the officer.These things will help,especially in instances like this where there was no ticket given for the stop.
Since officers are assigned certain areas for patrol,and since they normally call in for any stop that they do,you can catch them if you make sure that you get all this information.Remember though,that when in the police station,you act in a civilized manner when presenting your case and the information.This will help you in your effort to get back the item(s).

A friend of mine was going home after our local renaissance festival,and had all of his garb (costume) thrown into the back seat of his car,along with a sword that he carried at the festival.The sword was almost completely covered by the garb,and it was peace-bonded into the scabbard (tied in so that it cannot be drawn).
His license plate had gotten covered with mud from the parking lot of the festival,which is why an officer pulled him over.The officer happened to notice the tip of the sword scabbard was poking out from under the pile of clothes in the back seat,so he confiscated the sword after confirming what it was.My friend didn't get a receipt,nor did he ask for one...his mistake there.He checked at the police station and found that no sword had been turned in,and no report was made...since the officer had just told him to clean off the license plate.So,the officer got a sword,and my friend lost $450 in good steel.

A good rule of thumb...any weaponry in your vehicle should be kept in the trunk,no matter if you're only out for a very short drive between places.If it is completely out of reach & locked up,it should be safe from the police (unless it's illegal and they find it).If it's in a glove compartment,it's fair game,unless you tell the officer that it's in there *before* you reach into the compartment.Even then it might still be fair game,unless you get an officer who is good & honest.


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*The* Lunatic Puppy
It wasn't me...It was my *good* twin..
My "inner puppy" made me do it..

[This message has been edited by MacCanine (edited 05-02-2001).]
 
I had gotten into a car accident a few years back. In the car was my first Balisong (mentioned in a post a short while back) and a few other cheaper knives. When I went to collect my belongings from my totaled car at the junk yard, I didn't find ANY of the knives. I asked the men at the lot and they said they knew nothing about it. I didn't believe it for a second as they were the only 2 people who work there, and NOTHING else was missing. That was over 3 years ago and it still p*sses me off
mad.gif
. I'll make sure to take all your advice in the future.

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~Dave

"One in the hand is worth two in the sheath"
 
Dave,

Car accidents are an entirely different situation. It could have been police on the scene or more than likely the Tow Truck Driver as they have no liability for anything missing, lost or stolen in the vehicle. There is no accountability with a Tow Truck Company, State, County or City Contractor or actual Employee of same for any of these things. Furthermore, Impound Lots are the same, exact way.

I had a friend and his Camaro was smashed beyond repair and he lost a 21 Inch ASP Baton the same way.



------------------
"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
And, I'm a Usual Suspect.
Some of my Knives and other neat things
 
I thank all of you for your replies and advice. Im glad I want in an accident though if someone wrecked my 55 bel air Id be pissed. But losing an ASP baton or my first bali...Someone would die by my bare hands.
 
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