Autos or Balisongs in GA?

G

gtalum1996

Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
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Does anyone know if Balisongs or Autos are legal in Ga or if not, where it says so? Apart from the typical vague wording in most Ga code, the only applicable laws for knives I have been able to find are the no carrying concealed stipulations for knives designed for "offense or defense", the two inch school stipulation, Atlantas' BS three inch + law, but I cannot seem to find anything banning Balisongs or Autos.

Is anyone aware if they are legal or not? I have always heard they were not legal, but I remember having a balisong in like the eighth grade, purchased somewhere in GA.

Thanks for any input.
 
Ownership itself of switchblades and balis is actually rarely banned in many states. Of issue for most states is the carrying of such a knife. Some states have laws against sale or offer of sale. But you seem to be correct far as I can tell, that there is no law against the ownership of a switchblade in GA. Just don't carry it.
 
glistam said:
Ownership itself of switchblades and balis is actually rarely banned in many states. Of issue for most states is the carrying of such a knife. Some states have laws against sale or offer of sale. But you seem to be correct far as I can tell, that there is no law against the ownership of a switchblade in GA. Just don't carry it.
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Thanks for the input. Like you said, many states may not specifically outlaw them, and in Ga open carry is legal of any knife as far as I can tell. I just cannot find a statute specifically banning autos or balis. From what I interpret, a sheath or a pouch is considered "open" carry so I should be able to carry one in a sheath.

I need to keep researching though. Thanks!
 
cgmblade said:
As you already know Georgia law is very vague. I'm not aware of any law that specifically prohibits them, but based upon the vagueness of the law one never knows how a particular LEO will choose to interpret it in a given situation.

Here are some links.

http://www.thebladeshop.com/Georgia_s/520.htm

http://georgiapacking.org/law.php

Join the Georgia Blade Social Group here on BF and you can discuss the issue w/ BF members from Georgia.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/group.php?groupid=45
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From what I have read and heard, most of the Ga code on weapons is based on the the old "Jim Crow" laws way back when they wanted to keep certain people from carrying weapons. It is intentionally vague so it would give law enforcement a greater chance of making an arrest because the more vague the law, the more subject to their interpretation it became. They could catch people mistakenly breaking the law, because they were unsure what the law was. It is the whole "public gathering" thing.
Like you said, you never know how a leo will interpret it so it still works today.

I believe there is a portion of the new house bill, 615 I believe, that will better clarify firearms law and lift the restriction of carrying a knife concealed, if it miraculously passes...

I will check out that forum. Thanks!
 
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