Carrying a Tactical folder in GA?

[razorhunter]

After having read and read as much as I can, I still can't figure out the knife laws in GA. I have read one thing, then the total opposite. Can anyone else in GA help me out. I generally carry a folder with a 3-4" blade, as do most people. Always clipped to my pants pocket. I realize there are different city ordinances, but how the hell do you know? I have asked as many cops, judges, lawyers as I can, but I have NEVER ONCE got a straight answer. NEVER. I did have a cop pull me over for speeding once, and he told me that my 3.5" blade was in violation of a city ordinance, but he didn't do anything about it. I am just trying to keep from getting locked up for a folder that I carry! Someone please help.

 

[Lurker]

Don't count on getting any good, consistent information from verbal replies from cops or other officials. You need to look up the laws. They don't know what they are any more than you do.

This is what I could find:
*****
Georgia - 26-2901 and 26-9911a. It is illegal to carry
concealed any "offensive or defensive" knife.

Atlanta - A blade over 3" that LOCKS is illegal.
*****

Therefore, if your knife is intended for use as a tool, or is carried openly, you are OK regardless of length outside of Atlanta. Don't tell a cop you carry "for protection." That makes it a weapon.

The reference to Atlanta is from http://knifeart.site.yahoo.net/knifeart/kniflawbysta.html
I haven't read the statute and don't know if it restricts all carry or just concealed carry, but I'd be surprised if it restricted all carry.

There may be other cities with ordinances, but I don't know about them.

Good luck.

 

[razorhunter]

What exactly would you consider "open" carry? I usually carry any folder clipped to my pocket, but the knife itself is actually inside my pocket. If I pulled my shirt up, then you could see it clipped to the top of my pocket. Please help.

 

[Lurker]

Good question. It sounds to me like you are carrying concealed if your untucked shirt is hiding the clip and butt of the handle from plain view. The fact that you could lift your shirt and show the knife doesn't mean it's in plain view.

In *MY* opinion, if you tucked your shirt in and your clip and tip were in plain view to any casual observer, I believe you would be carrying openly. However, the fact that most of the knife is concealed in your pocket means you could be in a grey area and it could vary based on jurisdiction or phase of the moon.