Common sense knife carry law for Virginia Commonwealth

[palerider777]

Technically this would fail my criteria and still be secondary offense. A) You were stopped because you broke the traffic laws. No, I'm not calling you a criminal but yes you technically broke a non-knife law, or else he'd never have spoken to you. B) Even so, how did he even become aware of the Scimitar? Most people who get pulled over for speeding don't get searched.

What I meant by "traffic stop" is a road block/license check point/drunk dragnet. If I had been caught speeding then it would have been "pulled over" in Alabama speak . At that time I had a Chrysler 300 with a 360 police interceptor package running a 800 cfm Thermoquad that was running rich so it lopped at idle. The officer put me in the "check this guy out" line. How did he know I had a knife, he asked specifically if I had a gun or knife in the car. I stated only my pocket knife. To which he asked me to produce it.

"you technically broke a non-knife law, or else he'd never have spoken to you." - No, technically or in reality in the state of Alabama in that time frame. Everything was in legal limits on the car so he harassed me about the knife. I was in my early 20's he was in his 30's or so. He thought he have a little fun I guess or maybe cause me do something stupid. He didn't expect me to know the law, know my rights, and know the proper questions to ask.

 

[palerider777]

In life, there is the way we want things to be, and then there is the way things are.

It would be nice if we didn't need to hire lawyers to explain the law, but if you want a professional opinion on the law, from someone who makes their living dealing with such laws, that's the way it is.

It would be nice if there were no silly laws restricting what knives people can carry. But there are.

It would be nice if such laws could be overturned by simply calling an elected representative. But if you inquire with Kniferights.org, you will find that it takes a lot more to get knife laws repealed, and it costs a lot of money.

Have you called any attorney's in your area to find out how much an hour of consultation would cost, because a person certainly doesn't have to be rich to pay for an hour of a lawyers time. And it doesn't take days for an attorney to find and explain a few knife laws.

Contrary to popular belief, not all lawyers work for big rich law firms that charge hundreds of dollars an hour. There are a lot of lawyers in this country (and I'll bet there are a lot in Virginia), and they are all trying to make a living and pay their bills. If you call around you might find some lawyers with very reasonable, and affordable rates who are more than happy to help you.

If you can't afford to consult an attorney, and if you have any doubts about your local laws or exactly what they say, the only advice I would give you is to use your best judgement, and to err on the side of caution by interpreting the law in the most restrictive way possible, then act accordingly.

Although I support your cause and hope that you eventually prevail in changing your local laws, I won't be sending any money your way. I already donate to Kniferights.org, and that's the extent of my financial contributions. But who knows, maybe one day Kniferights will take on the laws of Virginia and succeed in getting them repealed. One can always hope. Best of luck to you .

Thanks ... Knife Rights did inform me of the effort, time and expense involved...however they are looking into what can be done.

BTW go look up the VA statue that I listed and you will find that there is an exemption for lawyers, DA's ...ect. Funny how they protected there "assets" but made the law so ambiguous that I need one them to interpreted it! Not what I call a image improving moment for lawyer team!

I will leave you with your thought ..."In life, there is the way we want things to be, and then there is the way things are." may I add this "and If you accept the way things are they will never be like you want them or need them to be" The question is do we have the courage and conviction for endeavor or would we just be happier being loyal citizen subjugated to the Crown? Think about it.

 

[palerider777]

Locking folders are fine in VA just know that there maybe a local ordance on blade length. Fixed blades can be carried open I do this all the time in the city with large bowies , daggers ect. Butterfly knives are okay as case law made them okay. Also VA issues CHP not CCW which is just a pain! I can carry a handgun concealed but not a fixed blade? Oh and autos are a big no no in VA. Most Leo's don't know or think they know the knife laws but if you aren't doing anything wrong they won't stop you just to see what you got...it's not NYC...lol! The state police website has the answers. VA law is also based on case law so thing can change but I wouldn't worry about a folder at all.

Thanks, I just down loaded Knife Right mobile app Legal Blade. There is not a listing where I live but it does have Richmond which is close enough. 3.25 blade and under folders are legal for pocket "concealed" carry so my CLB Hyper and CRKT Convergence are going back in to the EDC cycle. I am working with a kydex sheath maker to design a rig to open carry for larger folders. If and when that happens I can carry my CS Scimitar again. I am also considering a CRKT Otanashi noh Ken Folder. The way it looks closed it doesn't scream "I am I knife!" for open carry. Kershaw also has a 3.25 tanto neck knife that has that concealed in plan sight profile that might also be an option.

Thanks

 

[glistam]

What I meant by "traffic stop" is a road block/license check point/drunk dragnet. If I had been caught speeding then it would have been "pulled over" in Alabama speak . At that time I had a Chrysler 300 with a 360 police interceptor package running a 800 cfm Thermoquad that was running rich so it lopped at idle. The officer put me in the "check this guy out" line. How did he know I had a knife, he asked specifically if I had a gun or knife in the car. I stated only my pocket knife. To which he asked me to produce it.

"you technically broke a non-knife law, or else he'd never have spoken to you." - No, technically or in reality in the state of Alabama in that time frame. Everything was in legal limits on the car so he harassed me about the knife. I was in my early 20's he was in his 30's or so. He thought he have a little fun I guess or maybe cause me do something stupid. He didn't expect me to know the law, know my rights, and know the proper questions to ask.

Ah I see. We don't have those in Maryland, or at least none I've ever encountered, and I have lived my entire life here. Not sure why but I heard rumors that some states have ruled this is unconstitutional to stop cars that are not suspected of having committed a crime.

 

[lazy otter]

Thanks, I just down loaded Knife Right mobile app Legal Blade. There is not a listing where I live but it does have Richmond which is close enough. 3.25 blade and under folders are legal for pocket "concealed" carry so my CLB Hyper and CRKT Convergence are going back in to the EDC cycle. I am working with a kydex sheath maker to design a rig to open carry for larger folders. If and when that happens I can carry my CS Scimitar again. I am also considering a CRKT Otanashi noh Ken Folder. The way it looks closed it doesn't scream "I am I knife!" for open carry. Kershaw also has a 3.25 tanto neck knife that has that concealed in plan sight profile that might also be an option.

Thanks

I live in Va and in richmond city I did consult local police and a attorney so I have walked around with very large fixed blades and now (cuz I just got it) a spartan breed fighter which is double edged open carry and no issues ever! The blade length on a folder you are right on but several patrol officers a detective and some other said that that is true but mostly so they can tack on charges to someone who has already broken a law or being an ass or has a pretty bad background! I carry a large sebenza and Rock lobster and don't and wouldn't ever think twice about it! If you don't do anything wrong the police won't bother you so you don't got to worry. Now I'm not the end all be all of legal advice and following laws to the T so take what I say and forget it and do what you feel comfortable with cuz I maybe wrong! Laws change, views change, and not every officer has the same view! So protect yourself and do what your comfortable with!

 

[palerider777]

Ah I see. We don't have those in Maryland, or at least none I've ever encountered, and I have lived my entire life here. Not sure why but I heard rumors that some states have ruled this is unconstitutional to stop cars that are not suspected of having committed a crime.

"Unconstitutional" .... whats a Constitution? Oh you mean that pesky piece of paper that the Progressive/Liberal/Elitist/Tory/Feudal Lord/Salvers have been trying to get rid of since the 1880' and Barack Hussein Obama destroyed in 2012 when the people re-elected him Emperor? You should be taking about this subject since we now are the Obamanation not in the USA!

Not that that rant is over ... yea they had them in Alabama all the time!

 

[palerider777]

I live in Va and in richmond city I did consult local police and a attorney so I have walked around with very large fixed blades and now (cuz I just got it) a spartan breed fighter which is double edged open carry and no issues ever! The blade length on a folder you are right on but several patrol officers a detective and some other said that that is true but mostly so they can tack on charges to someone who has already broken a law or being an ass or has a pretty bad background! I carry a large sebenza and Rock lobster and don't and wouldn't ever think twice about it! If you don't do anything wrong the police won't bother you so you don't got to worry. Now I'm not the end all be all of legal advice and following laws to the T so take what I say and forget it and do what you feel comfortable with cuz I maybe wrong! Laws change, views change, and not every officer has the same view! So protect yourself and do what your comfortable with!

Thanks

 

[mainaman]

Different cities/counties will have different ordinances regarding knives. I talked to one of the local police officers, and was told that 3" or under folder is fine. Open carry fixed up to 5" is fine too. I think the lengths he stated are what he would consider OK.
I doubt there will be an issue carrying bigger folder as long as it is not used as a weapon or in threatening manner. In VA a ton of people carry knives so pocket clips do not stick out at all.

 

[palerider777]

Different cities/counties will have different ordinances regarding knives. I talked to one of the local police officers, and was told that 3" or under folder is fine. Open carry fixed up to 5" is fine too. I think the lengths he stated are what he would consider OK.
I doubt there will be an issue carrying bigger folder as long as it is not used as a weapon or in threatening manner. In VA a ton of people carry knives so pocket clips do not stick out at all.

Thanks

 

[lazy otter]

Two fixed blades I open carry are a Busse MOFBM and a Spatan Blades Breed with double edge. I walk by officers all the time and everytime I go into greentop sporting goods no issues. Now the Busse would fall into the bowie category and well the spartan is double edged but because they are open carried I'm fine! If somehow I was to have my shirt cover them and was caught I'd be screwed! I also tote a 1911 open and sometimes concealed because I have a permit so a knife IMO shouldn't be a big deal if I'm obeying the laws. But a CHP doesn't cover anything but a handgun here which is kinda silly since I have a AK pistol with SB47 brace and 75 round drum that I can conceal cuz it's a handgun but heaven forbid I carry a fixed blade concealed!

 

[Hacked]

Been in VA for over ten years now and have carried everything from a SAK to a small fixed concealed. I've yet to have an issue, or heard of someone in the state having an issue with carrying a knife. The area surrounding Richmond has a lot of hunting so seeing a person with a fixed blade on their belt in public is to be expected. Folders carried in this fasion isn't something I've personally noticed. I do however see pocket clips of near concealed folders left and right.

Personally I think you are over thinking this whole thing. I would just enjoy the fact that snow no longer voids your car insurance and carry what you are comfortable with, with in reason. Of course if you rob your local 711 then all bets are off.