CCW permit and knife carry

[iceaxe]

Hi, new member here. To the owners/operators of this free forum, thanks for providing and operating it, and thanks for having me. I know these things are a lot of work, most of it thankless.

So here's my question: I have CCW in the state of PA which allows me to legally carry a concealed and loaded firearm, but I can't find word one about whether the permit extends to knives/automatic knives. Don't worry: I don't expect the relevant statutes or laws to be consistent in scope or application. But it does seem far-fetched that I could be legally carrying my semi-automatic pistol, but get jammed up for having a 3" automatic pocket knife.

So, does anyone know if a CCW typically extends to include edged weapons? PA has almost nothing online about it and I haven't found calling state agencies much help either.

Standard knife carry laws in PA are fairly relaxed, especially away from Phila. and PBG, and I've never had a problem carrying one-handed liner locks, etc. But the wording that restricts autos is very broad and I suspect if found carrying one, the outcome would depend entirely on the LE officer in question, his or her mood/beliefs, and the situation. Unless, of course, my CCW covers it.

Finally, I'm not trying to start a thread about whether knife carry laws are good/bad/moral/immoral/constitutional, etc. or asking how to circumvent them, so please don't go there. . Whatever the laws are, I'm simply trying to stay informed and stay legal.

Thanks,
ia

 

[CULLEN3]

try packing.org ---for general direction then try talking to states attorney --they are the ones that prosecute the crimes

 

[mp510]

PA's carry permit says permit to carry firearms, not weapons.

Here is Title 18 Statute 908

Any bomb, grenade, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, firearm specially made or specially adapted for concealment or silent discharge, any blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles, dagger, knife, razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or otherwise, or other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury which serves no common lawful purpose.

 

[iceaxe]

I find the PA statutes are always wildly open to interpretation. E.g., the gun carry/self-defense rules start out by stating that just about everything is illegal, followed by a list of exceptions that makes just about everything legal. So long as you "reasonably believe" someone is stealing your TV, fire away.

I suppose I'm looking for logic where none exists. IOW, the state says I can conceal and carry my GLOCK .40S&W, but I can be arrested and have my CCW revoked for carrying a switchblade that, unlike the GLOCK has a manual safety, and doesn't open any faster than simply flicking the thumb stud on most of my legal-to-carry liner locks...?

Go figure. :jerkit:

 

[Steve284]

I know it is no consolation, but my state's law (south of the Mason-Dixon line, where things are allegedly more permissive) on CCW and knives is structured the same way: you can be licensed to carry a concealed handgun but that permit does not cover the carrying of a concealed bladed weapon. If you are stopped, questioned, and found to be carrying a concealed bladed weapon and if you attempt to use the CCW as justification for that, you are subject to arrest and CCW permit revocation. Yet if you do not have a CCW and if you are found to be carrying a reasonably small knife, you might be left untouched. Or you might be arrested. My state's laws are vaguely written (intentionally, I have been told) to prohibit the carrying of "daggers" but say nothing about specific design or blade length. It is basically up to individual law enforcement officers or local magistrates to decide what is or is not an "illegal" weapon. It might take a slick-talking lawyer to get you out of an arrest. A wierd situation. You can carry a very lethal handgun but not necessarily a Swiss Army knife.