Metis, I agree with most of what you have said except for the NYC ban on butterfly knives. The NYPD does go after them first as if they were gravity knives( there are five cases that have ruled they are not due to non locking of the knife) and they may consider them dangerous knives if they can prove intent. Here is the NYC ADMIN CODE link....section 10-133 and 134 are the ones to look at....
http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS
10-133 Possession of knives or instruments. a. Legislative findings.
It is hereby declared and found that the possession in public places,
streets and parks of the city, of large knives is a menace to the public
health, peace, safety and welfare of the people of the city; that the
possession in public places, streets and parks of such knives has
resulted in the commission of many homicides, robberies, maimings and
assaults of and upon the people of the city; that this condition
encourages and fosters the commission of crimes, and contributes to
juvenile delinquency, youth crime and gangsterism; that unless the
possession or carrying in public places, streets and parks of the city
of such knives without a lawful purpose is prohibited, there is danger
of an increase in crimes of violence and other conditions detrimental to
public peace, safety and welfare. It is further declared and found that
the wearing or carrying of knives in open view in public places while
such knives are not being used for a lawful purpose is unnecessary and
threatening to the public and should be prohibited.
b. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on his or her person
or have in such person's possession, in any public place, street, or
park any knife which has a blade length of four inches or more.
c. It shall be unlawful for any person in a public place, street or
park, to wear outside of his or her clothing or carry in open view any
knife with an exposed or unexposed blade unless such person is actually
using such knife for a lawful purpose as set forth in subdivision d of
this section.
d. The provisions of subdivisions b and c of this section shall not
apply to (1) persons in the military service of the state of New York
when duly authorized to carry or display knives pursuant to regulations
issued by the chief of staff to the governor; (2) police officers and
peace officers as defined in the criminal procedure law; (3)
participants in special events when authorized by the police
commissioner; (4) persons in the military or other service of the United
States, in pursuit of official duty authorized by federal law; (5)
emergency medical technicians or voluntary or paid ambulance drivers
while engaged in the performance of their duties; or (6) any person
displaying or in possession of a knife otherwise in violation of this
section when such knife (a) is being used for or transported immediately
to or from a place where it is used for hunting, fishing, camping,
hiking, picnicking or any employment, trade or occupation customarily
requiring the use of such knife; or (b) is displayed or carried by a
member of a theatrical group, drill team, military or para-military unit
or veterans organization, to, from, or during a meeting, parade or other
performance or practice for such event, which customarily requires the
carrying of such knife; or (c) is being transported directly to or from
a place of purchase, sharpening or repair, packaged in such a manner as
not to allow easy access to such knife while it is transported; or (d)
is displayed or carried by a duly enrolled member of the Boy or Girl
Scouts of America or a similar organization or society and such display
or possession is necessary to participate in the activities of such
organization or society.
e. Violation of this section shall be an offense punishable by a fine
of not more than three hundred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding
fifteen days or by both such fine and imprisonment
§ 10-134 Prohibition on sale of certain knives. a. Legislative
findings. It is hereby declared and found that the possession in public
places, streets and parks of the city, of folding knives which lock upon
opening, is a menace to the public health, peace, safety and welfare of
the people of the city; that the possession in public places, streets
and parks of such knives has resulted in the commission of many
homicides, robberies, maimings and assaults of and upon the people of
the city, that this condition encourages and fosters the commission of
crimes, and contributes to juvenile delinquency, youth crime and
gangsterism; that if this situation is not addressed, then there is a
danger of an increase in crimes of violence, and other conditions
detrimental to public peace, safety and welfare. It has been found that
folding knives with a blade of four (4) inches or more that locks in an
open position are designed and used almost exclusively for the purpose
of stabbing or the threat thereof. Therefore for the safety of the city,
such weapons should be prohibited from sale within the jurisdiction of
the city of New York.
b. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, or offer for sale
within the jurisdiction of the city of New York, any folding knife with
a blade length of four or more inches which is so constructed that when
it is opened it is locked in an open position and cannot be closed
without depressing or moving a release mechanism.
c. Exempt from this section are importers and exporters or merchants
who ship or receive locking folding knives, with a blade length of four
or more inches, in bulk, which knives are scheduled to travel or have
travelled in the course of international, interstate, or intrastate
commerce to a point outside the city. Such bulk shipments shall remain
in their original shipping package, unopened, except for inspection and
possible subdivision for further movement in interstate or intrastate
commerce to a point outside the city.
d. Violation of this section shall be an offense punishable by a fine
of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) or by imprisonment
not exceeding fifteen days (15) or both such fine and imprisonment. Any
person violating this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to
exceed one thousand dollars for each violation.
