Balisongs in Michigan.

If you read the posts prior to 14, I said nothing demeaning to anyone. After Shepherd implied that I was a Bitch and then again implied childish behavior, (whining). Then yet again that I must have "a reading comprehension problem".
Then maybe you can try to see things through my eyes. But then along comes Esav with yet another slam. "Sorry to have overloaded your receptors"
Now who is picking on who.
 
AR fan, if you read post # 18, you will see that I avoided involving myself in personality conflicts and instead addressed the actual issues you brought up. WHY are you more interested in schoolboy squabbling than in solving real-world problems?

Don't expect me to validate off-topic comments. Address the issues, not the other members, and we can all learn something.
 
SShepherd said:
Michigan -750.226... Carrying with unlawful intent
Any person who, with intent to use the same unlawfully
against the person of another, goes armed with a pistol
or other firearm or dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or
knife having a blade over 3 inches in length, or any
other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument, shall
be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in
the state prison for not more than 5 years or by a fine
of not more than 2,500 dollars.

the key words there are "or"

so:
unlawfull intent (doesnt matter the leingth)
"or"
over 3"
or
dangerous weapon

initially it was ment to give the officer alot of discression, but now 99% of that has been taken away.
Personally, I'd rather not be a test case in court.
Click to expand...


While I am not a lawyer, I dispute your analysis.

Despite your nice use of I really don't think your interpretation of this is correct. All of the conditions "pistol or other firearm or dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto", "or knife having a blade over 3 inches in length", "or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument" all follow the clause "with intent to use the same unlawfully against the person of another". If the "unlawful intent" was meant to be a category of it's own it would not precede the other conditions.

Also by your interpretation it would be illegal to go "armed with a pistol or other firearm". Being as it is legal to open carry a pistol in MI even without a CPL, you are clearly misinterpreting the statute.

Also not all knives are "daggers, dirks, razors or stilletos". This further invalidates your analysis of the statute.
 
I never stated all knives are dirks daggers stilletteos or razors--thats self explanotory.
Also, yes you are allowed to carry a pistol "open" without a cpl. You're also allowed to have a "hunting knife" on your belt, I suppose it could be as big as you want, but you better be able to prove you are/were hunting--like it being hunting season.
The OP is refering to a balisong, and while I can't fid the reference, most police will lump that in with a dangerous weapon.

The best thing to do, would be to call the local State police post and ask.
 
SShepherd said:
so:
unlawfull intent (doesnt matter the leingth)
"or"
over 3"
or
dangerous weapon
Click to expand...

I'm not disputing that bali's are illegal to carry, I agree. I'm just disagreeing with your interpretation of the "unlawful intent" statute


It should read

unlawful intent
AND
Over 3"
OR
Dangerous Weapon


I think the section that would better apply to not carrying a bali would be

- 750.227. (1) A person shall not carry a dagger, dirk,
stiletto, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of
any length, or any dangerous weapon, except a hunting
knife adapted and carried as such, concealed on or about
his or her person, or whether concealed or otherwise in
any vehicle... except in his or her dwelling house [or]
place of business... (3) A person who violates this
section is guilty of a felony...

granted the knife has to be concealed for this statute, but along with the case law I cited earlier in the thread

"Daggers, dirks, stilettos... and similar articles,
designed for the purpose of bodily assault or defense, are
generally recognized as 'dangerous weapons per se'..."
(1945)
 
can you find the law that deals with nunchucks, throwingstars and other weapons..my googlr fu seems a bit week on finding micigam laws lately.

here's what the MSP says about knives:

Is it illegal to have a knife with a blade over 3 inches in my possession?

MCL 750.226 No. Michigan law specifies that a person, with intent to use the knife unlawfully against another, shall not go armed with a knife having a blade over 3 inches in length.

http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1586_27094-10953--,00.html#OTHER_WEAPONS__NON_PISTOLS_

odd double speak eh?

while I agree the police should just enforce the law and not have to interprit it, I prefer to be on the safe side and not carry a blade over 3". I have better uses for my money than spend it on court costs and attourney fees, aside from losing my cpl.

I don't mind having a disagreement, thats what forums are around for at times. I'm afraid ultimatly though it would be up to a jury to decide wha the law really means.
 
SShepherd said:
can you find the law that deals with nunchucks, throwingstars and other weapons..my googlr fu seems a bit week on finding micigam laws lately.

here's what the MSP says about knives:

Is it illegal to have a knife with a blade over 3 inches in my possession?

MCL 750.226 No. Michigan law specifies that a person, with intent to use the knife unlawfully against another, shall not go armed with a knife having a blade over 3 inches in length.

http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1586_27094-10953--,00.html#OTHER_WEAPONS__NON_PISTOLS_

odd double speak eh?

while I agree the police should just enforce the law and not have to interprit it, I prefer to be on the safe side and not carry a blade over 3". I have better uses for my money than spend it on court costs and attourney fees, aside from losing my cpl.

I don't mind having a disagreement, thats what forums are around for at times. I'm afraid ultimatly though it would be up to a jury to decide wha the law really means.
Click to expand...

No I completely agree with you and your choice to keep it under 3". I do the same 90 percent of the time, and that 10 percent is when I'm out an about in Northern Michigan where it's unlikely to be an issue.

I'll look for the martial arts weapons statute, although I'm sure these are all considered "dangerous weapons".

Also I've spoken with several long serving LEO's and they've all said they've never been a part of or even heard of a knife charge being pressed in the absence of other charges. It's almost entirely a secondary charge. They've all said carry what you want, and look like someone an LEO wouldn't be worried about carrying a knife.

You as a CPL holder are in a good spot though. I would carry whatever I want, if the LEO says "why are you carrying such a big knife, it can only be used as a weapon, etc" you can say that "no, it's a tool, the only weapon I carry is my pistol"
 
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