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California to Virginia and Knife Laws Involved
- Thread starter jkarp_53
- Start date
I live in nearby Maryland and the laws are very similar in Virginia. Folders of any size are permitted to be carried concealed or openly. True switchblades (not assisted openers) are actually illegal to so much as own in the privacy of your own home, though it should be noted such laws are nearly unenforceable. Fixed blades must be carried openly in plain view.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-308
One major perk of Virginia over California is that it's a highly permissive "shall issue" state, so you can also carry a handgun with a permit.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-308
One major perk of Virginia over California is that it's a highly permissive "shall issue" state, so you can also carry a handgun with a permit.
Basically correct about state laws, however there are many county, city, local laws with blade length limits (usually 3") and
a couple that also ban assisted openers as their switchblade laws include any spring assisted or activated blade. Just keep whatever you're carry in you pocket and out of sight and you'll be ok.
Also, if you're going into DC, leave everything at home. All Federal buildings, museums, DC official office buildings, etc ban all knives and most have metal detectors. Better yet, just stay out of DC altogether. DC is also a major traffic ticket trap - speed cameras, stop light cameras, red light cameras, etc everywhere and parking tickets are issued as a major source of income for the city.
Rich
a couple that also ban assisted openers as their switchblade laws include any spring assisted or activated blade. Just keep whatever you're carry in you pocket and out of sight and you'll be ok.
Also, if you're going into DC, leave everything at home. All Federal buildings, museums, DC official office buildings, etc ban all knives and most have metal detectors. Better yet, just stay out of DC altogether. DC is also a major traffic ticket trap - speed cameras, stop light cameras, red light cameras, etc everywhere and parking tickets are issued as a major source of income for the city.
Rich
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Locutus D'Borg
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I live in Alexandria, VA (and am planning to retire in CA!) and the law here is no blade length limit but NO switchblades/autos. A/O is okay. BUT, if you pop into D.C., blade length is 3" or less. And if you drive the beltway (which everyone does), you could be in D.C., MD, or VA depending where on the beltway you are, so if you are in an accident, gun and knife laws apply to where the accident is, not where you live.
I learned this from a firearms course my wife was taking (and I accompanied her). A 3 hr class just on the complicated laws in this tangled area.
I learned this from a firearms course my wife was taking (and I accompanied her). A 3 hr class just on the complicated laws in this tangled area.
Professor
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Whereabouts in Va, Joe? Drop me a line sometime!
Here in SW VA, and seemingly everywhere west of Richmond, we govern ourselves, like Luxembourg.
In reality, having friends in LE, the Va knife laws are often misunderstood. I carry a BM mini BC and have always carried folders under similar sub-3" dimensions and have never ever so much as been asked about it, other than the occasional "is that a BM?" The goofy statute being what it is ("dirks and daggers" being undefined), it would seem that most able-bodied males (especially hunters) in SW VA carry a clipped folder of varying lengths.
Just my .02. You'll probably notice some differences in attitudes about knives, guns, and the 2nd Ammendment out here in general. Welcome!
Prof.
Here in SW VA, and seemingly everywhere west of Richmond, we govern ourselves, like Luxembourg.
In reality, having friends in LE, the Va knife laws are often misunderstood. I carry a BM mini BC and have always carried folders under similar sub-3" dimensions and have never ever so much as been asked about it, other than the occasional "is that a BM?" The goofy statute being what it is ("dirks and daggers" being undefined), it would seem that most able-bodied males (especially hunters) in SW VA carry a clipped folder of varying lengths.
Just my .02. You'll probably notice some differences in attitudes about knives, guns, and the 2nd Ammendment out here in general. Welcome!
Prof.
Virginia is an open carry state. A permit (Concealed Handgun Permit) only required for concealed carry in Virginia. OC only requires it be legal for you to possess the handgun --- no permit required.
Not everyone. I work in NOVA and avoid the beltway, DC, and MD altogether. Can't recall the last time I drove on the beltway when I did not deliberately stay entirely in Virginia. I consider DC and Maryland enemy territory because of their draconian laws. Heck, in DC you can be charged if you inadvertently have a spent cartridge case in your car. If I'm going into DC, I park in VA and take the Metro into the district.
Yup, the problem is the Virginia code is about as clear as mud in its definitions regarding knives. Example:
§ 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 as defined in § 18.2-307.1, or like weapons, such person is 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.
Elsewhere the code uses "dirk" as a prohibited item without definition. Where citizens burn is the "or like weapons" terminology. Also elsewhere the code state mere possession of a prohibited item is prima facie evidence of intent to sell. While Virginia has been getting its gun laws in order, its knife laws need much work. There has been a largely successful grass roots movement for the former with no similar movement pushing for the latter.
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why don't you just call the local DA office out there and ask them?? that is what I do when I need to know about the knife laws in a state that I am shipping to.
This ^ and Hawaii. Even though I live in VA but I have no idea what VA knife laws are because I rarely carry them. It's best to check VA State website for compliance.