Balisong/Butterfly Knives in NY

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KarambitKukri

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Jul 30, 2015
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I've been collecting knives for a couple months, and want to add a butterfly knife to my collection. I live in New York, NOT THE CITY. I order mostly from knifecenter.com and wonder if they ship them to New York, and if I will receive it without confiscation. I do not intend to use it as a weapon, just for collecting. I am aware that it is not defined as a "gravity" knife in NY. So I am pretty sure it is legal to own. I am wondering if anyone has ordered a butterfly from knifecenter to NY. I know budk does not ship them to NY, which as why I am wondering if knifecenter will ship. Thanks in advance.
 
It may not be a "gravity knife" but it's still a "dangerous knife" which means that it's illegal to own and carry anywhere in NY, even in your own home. Most NY cops and judges see balisong knives as weapons.
 
A Dangerous knife is an interesting term used in the NYS PL.....Agreed that it would be considered as a weapon when carried, but the law states "by any person" which is different than simple possession. When this term is used it is commonly understood to mean possession outside of one's home. Read the law - both parts:

http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/nycode/PEN/THREE/P/265/265.01

http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/nycode/PEN/THREE/P/265/265.15

I have had ADAs and officers agree that "by any person" clearly means outside of one's place of residence. I have seen butterfly knives sold at gun shows in NY that the local LEOs had agreed were legal to sell, but would not allow gravity knives or switchblades to be sold at the same show....It is up to the officer and DA at the time of an arrest to determine their following of the law. I would suggest getting a written statement from the local DA as to their understanding of the wording of the law. If you have such a statement it can be an affirmative defense as noted in 15..20 #2 D.......This is just my understanding and it is a tricky one....Gilstam any court updates???

http://ypdcrime.com/penal.law/article15.htm#p15.20
 
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I've ordered balis from Bladehq, it's kind of dicey. I agreed that I was a government military worker, and had it shipped to my Uncle's house, who agreed since he was in the airforce. Now I stick to forum sales since you don't have to lie to anyone and it gets to your house no problem. And yes, they are legal to own on one's private residence, and if you carry it just make sure it isn't visible, though I recommend just don't carry it in the first place.
 
Dyngus said:
I've ordered balis from Bladehq, it's kind of dicey. I agreed that I was a government military worker, and had it shipped to my Uncle's house, who agreed since he was in the airforce. Now I stick to forum sales since you don't have to lie to anyone and it gets to your house no problem. And yes, they are legal to own on one's private residence, and if you carry it just make sure it isn't visible, though I recommend just don't carry it in the first place.
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good words of advise :thumbup:
 
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