Cane Sword

Somewhat of an educated guess:
Almost certainly yes. Anything masquerading as anything else is probably considered a concealed weapon. Might vary depending on what other charges the person might be dealing with, and with the context of the carry/use. Sword canes also tend to have a social stigma - dangerous weapon - somewhat like "assault rifles".

Whether it's illegal to own/import/export would be something to ask your State Attorney Office.
http://www.donath.org/Rants/StateKnifeLaws/ just to start.
 
According to a friend of mine, now deceased, who used to make them they were definitely considered illegal to carry in Maryland. They could be sold back in the 1960s and the police at gunshows would allow you to carry them home, but that was it. If you ever find a modern cane with the name "ROY" stamped in the blade, that is one of his.
 
I'M STILL WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MARYLAND ATTOURNY GENERLS OFFICE ..

in maryland it is ok to carry a long gun in plain view , uncased in the gun rack of a pickup truck . ( unloaded ) so why not a cane sword

during deer season we can buy a permit to carry a hand gun in plain view as long as we have a hunting license ........ so a hunting license is actually a permit to carry a hand gun for several weeks out of the year ...... people killing has never increased during those weeks .

for 72 years i have lived in maryland and i know that it is the most corrupt state in the union , every politition has a price tag ...... i guess that if i were in their shoes i woul'nt want to see the citizens all armed , they might shoot me for my criminal posture .
 
IT LOOKS LIKE THE STATE IS LETTING ME DECIDE IS A CANE SWORD IS LEGAL OR NOT .........

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Mr. Hovron,

The Maryland Codes does not address cane swords per se, but below is the
text of the code dealing with knifes. If your sword meets the criteria
listed below it maybe considered a prohibited weapon.

MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-105

Prohibited
(a) A person may not sell, barter, display, or offer to sell or barter:

(1) a knife or a penknife having a blade that opens automatically by
hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the
handle of the knife, commonly called a switchblade knife or a
switchblade penknife; or

(2) a device that is designed to propel a knife from a metal sheath
by means of a high-compression ejector spring, commonly called a
shooting knife.

Penalty
(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on
conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or a fine
of not less than $50 and not exceeding $500 or both.

MJ Lazun

Reference Librarian
Maryland State Law Library
Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building
361 Rowe Blvd.
Annapolis, MD 21401-1697
410-260-1430 or
Toll Free at 1-888-216-8156
mdlaw.library@courts.state.md.us
 
§ 4-101. Dangerous weapons.
yadda yadda
....an individual who carries the weapon as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger, subject to the right of the court in an action arising under this section to judge the reasonableness of the carrying of the weapon, and the proper occasion for carrying it, under the evidence in the case.
(IOW: Do you transport diamonds or cash?)

(c) Prohibited.-
(1) A person may not wear or carry a dangerous weapon of any kind concealed on or about the person.
(2) A person may not wear or carry a dangerous weapon, ...........with the intent or purpose of injuring an individual in an unlawful manner.

They are giving you enough rope to hang yourself for sure. DON'T PURSUE THIS IDEA.
 
A cane sword is generally considered a concealed weapon in almost all jurisdictions of which I am aware.
 
I AGREE WITH ALL OF YOU ..

it seems as though mayland is leaving it up to the citizen to interpit the sketchy rules .

i'm sure you have all heard this many times and it is approprate in this case .

"" any item capable of causing injury or death to another person can be a dangerous weapon , ie: baseball bat, golf club , frog gig , pool cue etc. "

i'm just curious as to what a judge might say , i still cant get definate answer from the AG , i'm gonna keep pushing for a yay or nay .
 
it seems as though mayland is leaving it up to the citizen to interpit the sketchy rules .

i'm sure you have all heard this many times and it is approprate in this case .

"" any item capable of causing injury or death to another person can be a dangerous weapon , ie: baseball bat, golf club , frog gig , pool cue etc. "

i'm just curious as to what a judge might say , i still cant get definate answer from the AG , i'm gonna keep pushing for a yay or nay .

this is the catch phrase

"(2) A person may not wear or carry a dangerous weapon, ...........with the intent or purpose of injuring an individual in an unlawful manner.

the key words are intent and purpose and unlawfull ......... where is the language that covers self defence
 
HOVRON, self-defense is not generally considered to be sufficient reason to carry forbidden or concealed weapons unless you are doing so with a license. I would most strongly advise against your trying this, especially in a state such as Maryland. You might, just might, get away with it in some of the more conservative states, but not in Maryland.
 
C. STILL NOT A FOR SURE ANSWER, JUST CONJECTURE ,,,,,,,, THE KEY WORD HERE IS " CONCEALED " WHICH SHOOTS DOWN THE MSP AG'S OPINION .

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Mr. Hovis:



Md. Code Ann. Crim. Law §4-101(c)(2002 Vol. 2005 Repl.Vol.) provides “[a] person may not wear or carry a dangerous weapon of any kind concealed on or about the person.” Even though a cane sword is not specifically enumerated in §4-101 as a dangerous weapon, if the item is within the class described as any other dangerous or deadly weapon of any kind, it would likely be considered by a court as such. A cane sword would seem to be within that class and thus prohibited from being carried lawfully.



For further information you may wish to contact the State’s Attorney in your area of residence. It is that office that is primarily responsible for the local prosecution of criminal offenses.



I hope this has been helpful to you.



Donald E. Hoffman

Assistant Attorney General

Maryland State Police
 
"with the intent or purpose of injuring an individual in an unlawful manner.
....the key words are intent and purpose and unlawfull ......... where is the language that covers self defence"

Defending yourself with a weapon (especially one greater than the attacker is using... i.e. knife v. fist, gun v. knife etc.) has the inherent purpose of causing injury to another person. Despite what you perceive as an attack the court will end up deciding if it was justified. While I would rather be in court than in a hospital or grave, I would not pursue this avenue. A good stout cane of rattan is an awesome weap... I mean 'walking aid' and is far easier to defend if use becomes necessary.
Golf clubs are commonly carried by gentlemen walking around here. Despite the fact that they are CLUBS, and as such illegal, these ol' geezers don't get hassled by the cops. Go figure. If you don't golf, you pick one up at a second hand store cheap.
 
You may wish to PM or email Esav Benyamin. He is a member of long standing and walks with a cane. He uses a blackthorn walking stick and maintains that it makes and excellent self defese device. Blackthorn is a particularly dense and heavy wood that has been used for gentlemen's walking sticks for at least 200 years.
 
As I See It , A Person Can Carry A Sword Cane So Long As He Dont Need To Use It In Self Defense , Then Everything Is Up To The Judge .

If He Uses It To Rob A Bank Etc., Toss Him In The Slammer ....

All This Could Be Avoided If We Could Pack Heat !!!!!!
 
I don't think any judge would see it your way if you are walking around carrying a sword cane in my opinion.
 
I Kinda Agree With You However , ,,,,, I Am Disabled And Always Carry A Cane In Order To Get Around ,,,,,,,,,,,,, Just Because My Cane Has A Sword Inside Of It That I Might , Repeat , Might Need For Self Defense A Judge Might Understand Since Cane Swords Are Not Specified In The Concealed Weapons Code ,,,,,,,, Everything Is Left Up To Interetation By The Reader And I Will Pack The Pointed Heat Until I Get Caught ......... Being Disabled And 72 Years Old I'll Take The Chance .........
 
HERE IS THE REAL KICKER,,,,,,,,,

the maryland office of the states attourny called me today and told me that the inturpitation of the cane sword question is left up to the states attourney in the COUNTY that the situation occured ...

23 counties in maryland and 23 different opinions , this is strange but not unusual for a anti gun, anti hunter state .

it boils down to "" procede at your own risk ""

i thank all of you for your input which is all well recieved ,,,,,,,,,ron
 
One thing I seem to ask myself whenever this subject comes up is, "Will the sword actually cause more immediate destruction than the cane?" Or something to that effect. I've never seen a sword cane that had a substantial enough blade for powerful cuts. They are generally for thrusting only, and their slender blades would only leave tiny holes not much bigger than an icepick. I have two antique sword canes in my possession now (restoring them a bit for a customer) that have no sharpened edges. They're just triangular cross sectioned ice picks.

Given that the point of self defense is just stopping the bad guy, how quickly would these things do the job? It would take quite a while for 'em to bleed out through a little hole, especially if you don't hit one of the few tiny target areas perfectly. Would this really be more effective than cracking 'em across the skull with a stout stick/cane? Would they drop as quickly as from a good blow to the knee, as done and reported by forumite jackknife recently?

If you found an example with a blade stout enough do some serious destruction, then maybe I could see the point. But otherwise, is it really worth it?
 
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