Aussie needing Georgia, USA law advice

C

CheepSteal

Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
8
Gday, my apologies if this topic is in a previous post, I have tried searching and couldn't find a clear answer.
I'm in LA now and going to go to Georgia for 3 weeks and I need some help with the ridiculous knife laws there.
I won't be carrying a knife concealed but I am thinking about carrying my Leatherman Blast in a nylon pouch on my belt, is this considered openly carried?
I really don't wanna cause some international trouble and get arrested here, but I can't live without some form of tool on me.
Anyone who has experience in this would be really appreciated!

Thanks again, and lovin' the states!
 
Ive never had a problem with a multitool on my belt in georgia. i'm there 4 or 5 times a year for work and i always have a multitool on my belt.
 
I highly doubt any LEO is going to hassle you over a multitool openly carried on your belt in a nylon pouch. It's not like you are carrying a tacticool knife or 10" bowie. LEO's the world over generally have better things to do then hassle a person that is obviously carrying a tool rather than a knife designed to be a tactical weapon in my experience. Although if you are trying to take the subway in the Atlanta airport etc. my logic obviously will not apply.
 
Bimmer1 said:
What are the Georgia knife laws for carrying a folder?
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I just talked to my son who is a GA Police Officer and he told me that as long as it's not spring assisted or longer than 4" or 5 " (he couldn't remember exactly) you should be alright. He was in the middle of something when I called but he said he would get back to me on the exact length.

Bottom line is that as long as you don't get into trouble by trying to get on a plane with it or using in an otherwise illegal manner, you shouldnt have any problems. Most police officers have far better things to do than to hassle a law abiding person for carrying a pocket knife.
 
From my understanding, all concealed knives are illegal for "offence/defence" and it seems to be pretty regulated. You can open carry anything you want though I believe. I'm just confused as to whether belt pouch is cosidered open carry or not. Belt carry sounds good though, so far. If I'm going anywhere crowded, I'll probably carry my squirt though.
 
LA is much more knife unfriendly than Georgia. You won't have any problem unless you cause problems with a leatherman. I've never thought twice about carrying a folding knife in Georgia and as my grandparents have lived there for years I've spent a decent amount of time there. Outside of certain areas of Atlanta not having a knife or multi-tool is more out of the ordinary than carrying one.
 
hoopster said:
Georgia+mulititool=no problems. That's just a guess.
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Exactly. As long as the blade isn't 5 inches or longer or over 2 inches if you're at a school, you'll be fine.

Even in the Atlanta area, multitools are are a common site.

BTW, where in Ga are you headed too? Maybe I can buy you a beer.
 
Bimmer1 said:
What are the Georgia knife laws for carrying a folder?
Click to expand...


O.C.G.A. § 16-11-125.1
Definitions
As used in this part, the term:

(1) "Handgun" means a firearm of any description, loaded or unloaded, from which any shot, bullet, or other missile can be discharged by an action of an explosive where the length of the barrel, not including any revolving, detachable, or magazine breech, does not exceed 12 inches; provided, however, that the term "handgun" shall not include a gun which discharges a single shot of .46 centimeters or less in diameter.

(2) "Knife" means a cutting instrument designed for the purpose of offense and defense consisting of a blade that is greater than five inches in length which is fastened to a handle.

(3) "License holder" means a person who holds a valid weapons carry license.

(4) "Long gun" means a firearm with a barrel length of at least 18 inches and overall length of at least 26 inches designed or made and intended to be fired from the shoulder and designed or made to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed:

(A) Shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shot or a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger or from which any shot, bullet, or other missile can be discharged; or

(B) Metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile through a rifle bore for each single pull of the trigger;

provided, however, that the term "long gun" shall not include a gun which discharges a single shot of .46 centimeters or less in diameter.

(5) "Weapon" means a knife or handgun.

(6) "Weapons carry license" or "license" means a license issued pursuant to Code Section 16-11-129.




The max length is 2 inches in a school, otherwise you're safe up to a 5 inch blade. After 5 you'll need a weapons carry license
 
I've never had a problem... but there is a first time for everything. Multitool should not be a problem - you see this all the time. Don't go into a courthouse or government building, it will be confiscated.
 
CheepSteal said:
From my understanding, all concealed knives are illegal for "offence/defence" and it seems to be pretty regulated. You can open carry anything you want though I believe.
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Correct. At least it was when I lived in Atlanta (1995-2001). Open carry was never a problem -- not even with my Glock 17 (and no CCW). No worry about multitools especially. In fact, several states only regulate conclealed carry, not open carry.
 
CheepSteal said:
I am thinking about carrying my Leatherman Blast in a nylon pouch on my belt
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G'day mate!
You should be hassle free with that. I can't imagine anyone even raising an eyebrow at it. I see MTs belt carried everywhere in metro Atlanta.

If anyone does question it, just talk to them....Georgian's are suckers for an Aussie accent. :D

Bimmer1 said:
What are the Georgia knife laws for carrying a folder?
Click to expand...

Good luck figuring that out. Even if you find all the various state and local laws they are nearly impossible to understand.
The simpliest way to avoid hassle now is to get a concealed WEAPON permit (it was recently changed from concealed GUN permit).

BP Green said:
I just talked to my son who is a GA Police Officer and he told me that as long as it's not spring assisted or longer than 4" or 5 " (he couldn't remember exactly) you should be alright.
Click to expand...

That would probably be the reaction of most LEOs. I think the length may be pushing things a bit. A 5" is probably gonna get some attention, a 4" may also.
Lot depends on the situation and location. If you're in a bar on Stewart Ave (bad part of town) anything is likely to get confiscated or more. I'm talking LEO reaction here, not letter of the law.
Most of the LEOs I know put a lot more emphasis on if you pass the "attitude check" than the particulars of the knife. Though your son is totally correct that many do not react well to "assisted" openers.
 
Berdar said:
Exactly. As long as the blade isn't 5 inches or longer or over 2 inches if you're at a school, you'll be fine.

Even in the Atlanta area, multitools are are a common site.

BTW, where in Ga are you headed too? Maybe I can buy you a beer.
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Hahahaha, I'm headed to Warner Robins, no beer though, underage in the great states!

Thanks for the advice though, guys. Sounds really good, I won't be picking trouble or anything so I should be just fine :)

Hopefully I'll enjoy Georgia, and find something to keep me occupied for 3 weeks!
 
CheepSteal said:
Hopefully I'll enjoy Georgia, and find something to keep me occupied for 3 weeks!
Click to expand...

A good Georgia peach should do the trick. . . I mean the two-legged kind. :D:thumbup:

Welcome to The States. Enjoy your stay!
 
Berdar said:
O.C.G.A. § 16-11-125.1
Definitions
As used in this part, the term:

(2) "Knife" means a cutting instrument designed for the purpose of offense and defense consisting of a blade that is greater than five inches in length which is fastened to a handle.
The max length is 2 inches in a school, otherwise you're safe up to a 5 inch blade. After 5 you'll need a weapons carry license
Click to expand...

Just dredging this up as I had a nice discussion with a local LEO on this. Granted, I live in a nice little rural community within a very gun/knife friendly county. I do have my "weapons carry license", but am quite confused on this law...or at least how it could be interpreted.

If your knife isn't "designed" for offensive or defensive purposes, is it excluded from the blade length requirement? If so, all of my knives are designed for hunting, wilderness survival or as a utility knife:D

Blade length is always going to be interpreted differently and the LEO I discussed this with thought it was just the sharpened edge, not from the "hilt". When I was stationed in TX, I had four different interpretations from four different LEO's (one a Federal LEO on a military installation). A good example is what I've been wearing for the past 12 years:

PygmyATAK.jpg


Note the "choil"; although this blade from the hilt to tip is less than 5", the sharpened edge is less than 4". This type of interpretation will never go in your favor, but is an interesting aspect that LEO's have a hard time determining a consistent way to interpret. Of course, as much as I consider this a "utility" knife, the name Advanced Tactical Assault Knife (ATAK), kind of screws you if you really need to defend yourself in court:rolleyes: Knife makers just need to avoid the tacticool names and focus on utility, search and rescue, general purpose, hunting, fishing, etc.:D

Does the term "fastened to a handle" mean fixed blade? The definition certainly can be viewed that way and if so, this excludes all folders?...So a Cold Steel Raja, older CRKT Sifu or any other mega folder would be expempt:confused: I know Atlanta specifically mentions “locking folders” in their ordinance, but the state law doesn’t specify outside of a blade “fastened to a handle”, which in my non-legal opinions alludes to a fixed blade. Interestingly, the LEO also considered this to be a fixed blade, but when shown some large folders, he said it would apply to them as well (“I think” is what followed afterwards).

Of course the worst aspect to any state laws is local city ordinances including federal property locations or federal property that is leased by the state. Hopefully this will get amended down the road for more clarity, but I honestly believe vague laws are a prosecutor’s wet dream.

ROCK6
 
The way that I read that is that as long as it's not designed as a weapon, then it doesn't even fall under the law, or the 5 inch part, either. Even so, a knife designed as a weapon with a blade less than 5 inches is also allowed. I think maybe the quote left out a part.
 
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