Balisong carry in Maryland?

[Phyx]

Anyone know if it is legal to carry a balisong in maryland? From what i understand, you are allowed to carry anything that is considered a "penknife" and the state defines a penknife as a knife that is not a switchblade or gravity knife. Is a balisong a gravity knife? or does it fall into penknife territory? Arghhhh


Phyx

 

[glistam]

Anyone know if it is legal to carry a balisong in maryland? From what i understand, you are allowed to carry anything that is considered a "penknife" and the state defines a penknife as a knife that is not a switchblade or gravity knife. Is a balisong a gravity knife? or does it fall into penknife territory? Arghhhh


Phyx

Actually, Maryland's language contains no mention anywhere whatsoever of a "gravity knife" (it's a annoyingly persistent Urban Legend here). And you are correct about the exception to "penknives." In Mackall v State, 1978, the court ruled "Penknives today are commonly considered to encompass any knife with the blade folding into the handle, some very large." This ruling, that any knife that folds into the handle, has been upheld more times than I can count, as recently as 2008 from case law I have read. It is more or less set in stone. Even in murder trials, Mackall has been invoked to strike down tacked-on weapon charges.

Because a balisong folds into it's handle, and contains no automated mechanism that would classify it as a switchblade, it's a penknife and legal to carry concealed, regardless of your age or how you use it. Just about every place I know that sells cutlery here has a few balisongs right there in the case.

Not saying their good knives though. Frankly I find balisongs to be a bit...primitive. To many movements to open, where as a regular folder you just move your thumb a little bit.

 

[Phyx]

thanks for the help! I always thought that was the case, but acquiring weapons charges aren't on the to of my to-do list so i wasnt about to find out the hard way. thanks again for clarifying!

Phyx