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balisong in ct
- Thread starter bSquirrel
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2005
- Messages
- 1,297
Balisongs aka butterfly knives are no longer banned in CT. When the weapons statutes (CGS 53-206 and 29-38) were re-written several years ago they removed butterfly knives from the list of prohibited "weapons". Therefore, unless you knife is double edged or has a blade with an "edged portion of the blade of which is four inches or over in length" (and you do not have a hunting or fishing license) the knife is legal to carry in CT. It can be carried concealed, and you are probably better off doing so, so that no busybodies freak out.
Also, you can have any edged weapon (swords, switchblades, etc.) you want in your home or in a business that you own. The only problem might be legally transporting them to one of those places in the first place.
Here are the links to the statues in question;
CGS 53-206 Carrying of dangerous weapons prohibited
CGS 29-38 Weapons in Vehicles
PS: If you check some of my previous posts you may find the answers you need to other questions about CT weapons laws.
Also, you can have any edged weapon (swords, switchblades, etc.) you want in your home or in a business that you own. The only problem might be legally transporting them to one of those places in the first place.
Here are the links to the statues in question;
CGS 53-206 Carrying of dangerous weapons prohibited
CGS 29-38 Weapons in Vehicles
PS: If you check some of my previous posts you may find the answers you need to other questions about CT weapons laws.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2005
- Messages
- 1,297
TJ, sorry I didn't see your question sooner,
The answer to your question is no, under the statutes a butterfly knife can't be construed as a martial arts weapon. 53-206 refers you to the definition of a martial arts weapon in section 53a-3; “…or any martial arts weapon or electronic defense weapon, as defined in section 53a-3…” 53a-3 is a list of definitions for terms used in the criminal statutes. Its says, “(21) "Martial arts weapon" means a nunchaku, kama, kasari-fundo, octagon sai, tonfa or chinese star;”, so only those items listed may be considered martial arts weapons. Anyone who was arrested under 53-206 or 29-38 for a butterfly knife was either erroneously arrested, arrested before the statutes were changed a few years ago, or was actually using the knife as a weapon. Once you use it as a weapon, all bets are off and even a pencil could be considered a "dangerous instrument".
Also, in the fine print of 53-206 it references court decisions that have an impact on the statute. Among them is one that says, “Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 313. Knife not coming within description of statute cannot be included as "any other dangerous or deadly weapon" and is not with prohibition of this section. Id., 551”, so you can’t (or at least shouldn’t) get bagged there either.
Of course it all comes down to how well the Officer you encounter knows the statutes, so it behooves you to know them yourself. If you get stopped and are in possession of a knife that you know to be legal and that the Officer seems to think is illegal, politely educate him on the finer points of the statute. Hopefully he’ll either decide that you know what you’re talking about, or at least look it up for himself before he takes any action.
The answer to your question is no, under the statutes a butterfly knife can't be construed as a martial arts weapon. 53-206 refers you to the definition of a martial arts weapon in section 53a-3; “…or any martial arts weapon or electronic defense weapon, as defined in section 53a-3…” 53a-3 is a list of definitions for terms used in the criminal statutes. Its says, “(21) "Martial arts weapon" means a nunchaku, kama, kasari-fundo, octagon sai, tonfa or chinese star;”, so only those items listed may be considered martial arts weapons. Anyone who was arrested under 53-206 or 29-38 for a butterfly knife was either erroneously arrested, arrested before the statutes were changed a few years ago, or was actually using the knife as a weapon. Once you use it as a weapon, all bets are off and even a pencil could be considered a "dangerous instrument".
Also, in the fine print of 53-206 it references court decisions that have an impact on the statute. Among them is one that says, “Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 313. Knife not coming within description of statute cannot be included as "any other dangerous or deadly weapon" and is not with prohibition of this section. Id., 551”, so you can’t (or at least shouldn’t) get bagged there either.
Of course it all comes down to how well the Officer you encounter knows the statutes, so it behooves you to know them yourself. If you get stopped and are in possession of a knife that you know to be legal and that the Officer seems to think is illegal, politely educate him on the finer points of the statute. Hopefully he’ll either decide that you know what you’re talking about, or at least look it up for himself before he takes any action.
Then would a karambit be considered a "martial arts weapon"? If it is not double edged, and is less than four inches?