Balisong laws in VA? please help

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/cjis_ftc.htm

§ 18.2-311. Prohibiting the selling or having in possession blackjacks, etc.

If any person sells or barters, or exhibits for sale or for barter, or gives or furnishes, or causes to be sold, bartered, given or furnished, or has in his possession, or under his control, with the intent of selling, bartering, giving or furnishing, any blackjack, brass or metal knucks, any disc of whatever configuration having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, or like weapons, such person shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. The having in one's possession of any such weapon shall be prima facie evidence, except in the case of a conservator of the peace, of his intent to sell, barter, give or furnish the same.

(Code 1950, § 18.1-271; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1985, c. 394; 1988, c. 359.)
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§ 18.2-308. Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.

A. If any person carries about his person, hidden from common observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material; (ii) any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, machete, razor, slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, or blackjack; (iii) any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain; (iv) any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart; or (v) any weapon of like kind as those enumerated in this subsection, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second violation of this section or a conviction under this section subsequent to any conviction under any substantially similar ordinance of any county, city, or town shall be punishable as a Class 6 felony, and a third or subsequent such violation shall be punishable as a Class 5 felony. For the purpose of this section, a weapon shall be deemed to be hidden from common observation when it is observable but is of such deceptive appearance as to disguise the weapon's true nature.
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So, basically, it all comes down to whether the officer or judge like you or not.

Or so it appears. Does anyone else have a comment?
 
When I lived there, I avoided carrying one. It seems VA is very against "martial arts weapons." They specifically enumerate what is prohibited, unlike many other states, so if you want to go to the trouble of dealing with it, you can probably beat the charge in court. A competant attorney can argue that a balisong is not a "like weapon" to a ballistic knife or auto. Can't even be likened to a dagger if it's not double-edged.
 
Depends on the cop and the judge. Over the past 5 years, there have been 2 convictions for concealed balisongs under this statute. Both were single-edged CCC garbage in the possession of dangerous criminals. The judge used the Webster's definition of "dagger" as a "knife suitable for stabbing".:rolleyes:

Any good lawyer could've convinced the judge otherwise . . . especially if the defendant wasn't a known scumbag.

Remember, if balisong is either clipped to your pocket or worn openly in a sheath, it is not concealed. :thumbup:
 
Balisongs are considered "weapons of like kind" under established case law in Virginia and it is illegal to carry one concealed.
 
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