Any one know the laws?

J

JokerGod

Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
10
Hello. I have collected swords for years now, I love the style, the forum, the power and every thing els that gos with them, the basics of just haveing to look your enimy in the eye as you fight rather then hideing behind a tree and fireing at them every few secounds.

I have bin sertching but am yet to find anything so I was wondering if any one here can tell me what the laws for carrieing a sword in the US are? (State~PA)

Sorry if there is already a thread on this I will admit I diden't sertch for it.
 
The laws about swords are not more lenient than those regarding knives. There are likely far more people carrying knives on an everyday basis than attempt to carry swords so there are more laws directly regarding knife carry. Swords fall under the 'dangerous weapons' clauses.
Depending on the circumstances, unless you are directly travelling to or from an activity such as a renaissance fair, sword practice etc., the carrying of a sword states that your INTENT is to harm somebody. Period. You cannot claim it is to open packages at work. No matter if it is for percieved protection from a bad guy. Your intent is to cause bodily harm. Small knives make people feel nervous or threatened. Bigger knives increase that anxiety greatly. The Law hates that.
Don't watch so many movies, despite what Horrorwood depicts, the vast majority of swords are difficult and clumsy to carry, make it hard to enter and exit vehicles, are not easily concealed under a cool long leather jacket and are likely to get you shot ala 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'.:D
 
RedEdge77 said:
I have but one question. Why would you want to carry a sword in the first place?:confused:
Click to expand...

So he has the opportunity to look his "enimy" in the face?
;)

Well-crafted swords are a joy to see and handle, but unlike a good knife, safely using a sword is
A) not as easy as it looks, and
B) as Merek implied, only useful for maiming or killing people.

Collect away.
There are some incredibly gifted bladesmiths who can craft beautiful and lethal edged weapons.
However, I'd refrain from carrying swords outside of scenarios where it's appropriate.

Just my 2 cents,
B.
 
I think EVERY state has online it's revised statues: when You find PA's, look under weapons, concealed weapons, swords, knives, sword canes, etc...

Some states local ordinances trump state law--I believe thats why Philadelphia banning of CCW makes it stand out as a high crime center in the state
 
Unrelated to the specific question--

Over the weekend here in Chicago, a disgruntled interior contractor attacked a woman with a short sword. She's in bad shape.

But note the comment from a Jennifer Hoyle, from Chicago's Law Department. She claims that since 1986, you can't even touch a sword in the City of Chicago.

The actual law?

Chicago Municipal Code 8-24-030 said:
No person shall sell, offer for sale, manufacture, purchase, possess or carry within the city any weapon or instrument associated with martial arts combat, including but not limited to throwing darts, bolts, Chinese stars, Nun-chako sticks, and wristbands or belts with sharpened or abrasive studs. Any person found violating the provisions of this section shall be fined $200.00 for each offense, or shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of six months, or shall receive both such fine and imprisonment.
Click to expand...

How's that for vague? It doesn't specifically say 'swords,' but of course, it doesn't exclude them either. I'm familiar with this law, but never imagined it prohibited ownership of a sword within city limits! Had it not been for her comment--which I was convinced was totally wrong--I'd never have re-read the ordinance. Good thing I live outside the City...!

So be careful--your local laws may indeed prohibit a sword!
 
Merek said:
The laws about swords are not more lenient than those regarding knives. There are likely far more people carrying knives on an everyday basis than attempt to carry swords so there are more laws directly regarding knife carry. Swords fall under the 'dangerous weapons' clauses.
Depending on the circumstances, unless you are directly travelling to or from an activity such as a renaissance fair, sword practice etc., the carrying of a sword states that your INTENT is to harm somebody. Period. You cannot claim it is to open packages at work. No matter if it is for percieved protection from a bad guy. Your intent is to cause bodily harm. Small knives make people feel nervous or threatened. Bigger knives increase that anxiety greatly. The Law hates that.
Don't watch so many movies, despite what Horrorwood depicts, the vast majority of swords are difficult and clumsy to carry, make it hard to enter and exit vehicles, are not easily concealed under a cool long leather jacket and are likely to get you shot ala 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'.:D
Click to expand...

Thx for your help.

I want to carry a sword becuase it is a right of honor. I grew up in an old fashan house, and I'm not talking about the normal, my grandfather (The man I grew up with and was more like a father to me) lived by honor, he was a great blacksmith and he tautght me how to use a sword, I know how to handle swords, I am very skilled at it and prefer to hunt with them rather then guns.

I want to have a sword at my side becuase it is a sign for respect and honor.

I know there hard to handle and conseal if you don't know what your doing, but I'm not trying to hide it, and I drive a Harly so geting on and off is not a problume. O, and they are easy to hide under a nice leather trentch coat :p
 
"Honor' the rule of law and don't push it, is my best advice. Having been around bikes and bikers I know that they simply seem to attract unwanted (and often un-necessary) attention from the law on account of a few bad apples and 'bikers=bad guys' perception alone. Many bikers revel in the 'rebels who push the limits of the law' and the I-have-a bike-and-a-tatoo-whatcha-gonna-do-about-it? attitude. They wonder why they attract attention.:jerkit:
Cops can see a concealed boot knife a mile off... I don't think the Sword of Honor story, while romantic and cool, will result in anything positive. I love my sword too. I would dearly love to carry it everywhere and show it off. It has become an extention of me and I too can envision saving the damsel and fighting crime and injustice, but it just won't happen any more carrying a sword or not. I have had few opportunities in everyday life to save the day. Not one would have been enhanced in any way by having a sword. As a matter of point, it likely would have frightened those I was trying to help. "Gee. I see you have had a car crash...let's see if I can hack off your leg and free you from the wreck...." or "Let me pay for your groceries Ma'am" schwing!:eek: I can imagine the headlines "Biker Hacks Mugger to Death With Sword" eeew! You don't even want that trouble:barf: . Need I go on?
Best way to keep your sword out of the evidence locker is keep it safe at home. Many idiots carry swords and get in trouble for it everyday....
A sword does not honor make. Honor does not exist in a vacuum. Live and interact with others with compassion and tolerance and unrewarded good deeds. Carry your Sword of Honor in your heart to champion what is right for those in need. It really surprises people when someone they have misjudged (a biker) reveals they too are human.
Please?
 
JokerGod said:
Thx for your help.
I want to carry a sword becuase it is a right of honor. I grew up in an old fashan house, and I'm not talking about the normal, my grandfather (The man I grew up with and was more like a father to me) lived by honor, he was a great blacksmith and he tautght me how to use a sword, I know how to handle swords, I am very skilled at it and prefer to hunt with them rather then guns.
I want to have a sword at my side becuase it is a sign for respect and honor.
I know there hard to handle and conseal if you don't know what your doing, but I'm not trying to hide it, and I drive a Harly so geting on and off is not a problume. O, and they are easy to hide under a nice leather trentch coat :p
Click to expand...

OK, I'm sorry.

I try to refrain from joining the grammar/spelling Nazis, but come on!

A person doesn't drive a Harly; a person rides a Harley.
Is anyone else getting the image of a 14 year old mall ninja who has watched too much of the Highlander TV series? :barf:


JokerGod,

If you want to "live with honor", stay in school, work hard, respect the rights of others, and try to be a generally honest and decent human being.

If you want to work on your swordsmanship, take classes.

Pretty please DO NOT go gallivanting around with a sword hidden beneath your nice leather "trentch" coat. None of us want to end up reading about how you lost your life or deprived someone else of theirs, because of your ill conceived notion of the requirements of honor.


B.
 
I too have long thought of taking up hunting...

The thrill of the pursuit...

The sense of accomplishment when I outwit and take down my quarry...

The only thing keeping me from the undertaking has been the unfairness of it all. What chance does a rabbit, or for that matter, a grizzly have against me and my shotgun or high powered rifle?

Many thanks Joker, now, whilst wielding a sword, I may smite down my prey with a sword, all the while looking it in the eye.
;)
 
arawn said:
OK, I'm sorry.

I try to refrain from joining the grammar/spelling Nazis, but come on!

A person doesn't drive a Harly; a person rides a Harley.
Is anyone else getting the image of a 14 year old mall ninja who has watched too much of the Highlander TV series? :barf:


JokerGod,

If you want to "live with honor", stay in school, work hard, respect the rights of others, and try to be a generally honest and decent human being.

If you want to work on your swordsmanship, take classes.

Pretty please DO NOT go gallivanting around with a sword hidden beneath your nice leather "trentch" coat. None of us want to end up reading about how you lost your life or deprived someone else of theirs, because of your ill conceived notion of the requirements of honor.


B.
Click to expand...


O i'm sorry, we diden't all have English as our first language. Highlander? Never liked it.

14? far from. I did take classes, fineshed them all. Who sead I wanted ot hide it? :rolleyes:

BTW. Hunting with a sword is a lot more rewarded when yo uget something aposed ot hideing in a tree and shooting at it when it can't even see you.

Obveasly geting any further replys for intelligent nature is going to be hard. so once agian I thank every one that helped in the start.
 
JokerGod said:
O i'm sorry, we diden't all have English as our first language. Highlander? Never liked it.

14? far from. I did take classes, fineshed them all. Who sead I wanted ot hide it? :rolleyes:

BTW. Hunting with a sword is a lot more rewarded when yo uget something aposed ot hideing in a tree and shooting at it when it can't even see you.

Obveasly geting any further replys for intelligent nature is going to be hard. so once agian I thank every one that helped in the start.
Click to expand...
I hear you, my brother. You and I have much in common. I too came from the old country; a place where honor among men and beast was more than just a word. While I do not ride a motorcycle, I still enjoy a fine leather trench coat. But alas, this is where we differ. Instead of hiding my fine sword, I wear both of mine on the outside of the coat, proudly displayed for all to see. While I seek no trouble with other worldly voyagers, I refuse to step down and conceal such a large part of my being.

Wear your swords proudly, Joker God! Wear them proudly for all to see!!
 
Yup i remember the first time a deer was chasing me. He got me cornered between a boulder and him. This is where i took my united cutlery sword and cut off his head!

Blood sprayed everywhere and my honor was fulfilled.


:jerkit:
 
Why has this not been sent to the "Knife Laws" forum? Indeed, why was it not posted there in the first place?
 
JokerGod said:
I have bin sertching but am yet to find anything so I was wondering if any one here can tell me what the laws for carrieing a sword in the US are? (State~PA)
Click to expand...

Simple question. The answer:

Title 18 § 908 "Offensive weapons."

Any bomb, grenade, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, firearm specially made or specially adapted for concealment or silent discharge, any blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles, dagger, knife, razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or otherwise, or other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury which serves no common lawful purpose.

This really should have gone in Knife Laws, I guess - but hey, it took me 30 seconds to find the statute.

That settled, tell us about your swords!
 
ThreadMoving.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top