Concealed weapon question

Plumberdv

Plumberdv

Joined
Sep 26, 2008
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I watch the series "Cops" regularly and in an episode I saw recently, a detainee was charged with carrying a concealed weapon because of a small neck knife he had around his neck under his shirt.

I don't recall where the episode was filmed and I realize there are different laws in different states, but what if he had a pocket knife? I have many pocket knives that when open, are longer than the one he had on him.

Is a knife hanging from your neck and concealed under your shirt considered more "concealed" than one in your pocket? :confused:
 
I guess it would depend on what you were arrested for in the first place, the police officers mood at the time and your attitude :D If it has a pocket clip, and it is clipped, its not "concealed" -here anyway. If I have my Paklite skinner in my pocket though..... Probably concealed!
 
All depends on the state. Most places they just pile it onto other charges (had to have a reason to arrest/frisk you in the first place).

I don't know of many cases where the knife alone gets a guy arrested. Sure it happens, but usually because of other issues.
 
ohen cepel said:
All depends on the state. Most places they just pile it onto other charges (had to have a reason to arrest/frisk you in the first place).

I don't know of many cases where the knife alone gets a guy arrested. Sure it happens, but usually because of other issues.
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That's probably the case in this instance. They were busting him for other things and just threw a bunch more charges at him to see what would stick.
 
As a former NYC officer, the old rule was a guy never got charged just for a knife, however that has changed in NYC big time! They actively go after knife arrest now. That said, the concealed part is tricky. In NY State it can be exposed or concealled but in NYC it must be concealled and even a pocket clip showing is a violation of the NYC Admin code. You have to know the law where you live and travel. Most states want it to be visible to some degree, but that also allows for an officer to ask to examine it without the need to have PC for a search.
 
It is also worth noting that the prosecutor or grand jury - not the officer - determines the charges. So it really doesn't matter what the officer says about concealed carry charge - though he is probably correct.
 
Some neck knives are double edged and that fact alone makes them illegal in some states.:eek:
 
I guess I'm lucky to live in an area where I can wear a 110 on my belt and go into libraries, stores, banks, Post Offices, Court Houses for licenses, hospitals ... and not hear a peep from anyone. Who cares what the laws here say, they are not enforced if there are laws, unless you are doing something wrong in the first place.
 
Plumberdv, I believe I saw the episode you are referring to, which I think took place in California. The issue wasn't that the knife was concealed, it was that the knife is a fixed-blade and concealed. Laws are different from state to state, and even from county to county, but in California (which is where I'm from also....howdy neighbor!), folding knives of all sizes, as long as they are not automatics or gravity knives (balisongs), are completely legal under state law. Fixed blades, of any size or blade configuration, even double-edged daggers, are legal if they are worn openly. However, you are definitely going to get noticed by the police if you walk down the street wearing a huge knife. They won't arrest you or confiscate your knife if they know the law (and that's a big "if"), but you might be detained. If you were to carry a folding knife concealed, with its blade in the open position, you would be violating the same law as if you were carrying a fixed blade.......and its a felony violation. I believe Los Angeles County doesn't allow people to carry knives (folding or fixed blade) with blades over 4". In Riverside County, there are no knife laws other than those imposed by the state. You also have to worry about places that don't allow knives of any sort, such as schools and court houses.....pretty much any government building or property. So wear those 119s, 105s, and yes, even the 102s completely visible and not covered by clothing at all, and you'll be okay. Your 110s, 112s, and Vantages can be kept in your deepest darkest pocket where nobody will know you have it, and as long as the blades are closed, you are legal. BTW, as you might guess from my name, I do know a little on this subject. Hope this helps.
 
In Florida I believe a concealed carry permit covers not only a handgun but any weapon (including knives of any size). This is not the case in most states that issue CCP's and though there is reciprocity on the CCP with many states the repiprocity does not cover knives.
 
riversidedep said:
Plumberdv, I believe I saw the episode you are referring to, which I think took place in California. The issue wasn't that the knife was concealed, it was that the knife is a fixed-blade and concealed. Laws are different from state to state, and even from county to county, but in California (which is where I'm from also....howdy neighbor!), folding knives of all sizes, as long as they are not automatics or gravity knives (balisongs), are completely legal under state law. Fixed blades, of any size or blade configuration, even double-edged daggers, are legal if they are worn openly. However, you are definitely going to get noticed by the police if you walk down the street wearing a huge knife. They won't arrest you or confiscate your knife if they know the law (and that's a big "if"), but you might be detained. If you were to carry a folding knife concealed, with its blade in the open position, you would be violating the same law as if you were carrying a fixed blade.......and its a felony violation. I believe Los Angeles County doesn't allow people to carry knives (folding or fixed blade) with blades over 4". In Riverside County, there are no knife laws other than those imposed by the state. You also have to worry about places that don't allow knives of any sort, such as schools and court houses.....pretty much any government building or property. So wear those 119s, 105s, and yes, even the 102s completely visible and not covered by clothing at all, and you'll be okay. Your 110s, 112s, and Vantages can be kept in your deepest darkest pocket where nobody will know you have it, and as long as the blades are closed, you are legal. BTW, as you might guess from my name, I do know a little on this subject. Hope this helps.
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I appreciate the info. I guess that means that a California resident had better not carry a Buck Hartsook, Kaala or Smidgen as they were designed to be carried (and that's how the Hartsook and Kaala are described in the catalog) if they will be concealed under a shirt or jacket.

I always wear my shirts tucked in so I guess I could carry a fixed blade on my belt, but my brother who never tucks his in (shows off his big gut too much;)) couldn't.
 
riversidedep said:
... The issue wasn't that the knife was concealed, it was that the knife is a fixed-blade and concealed. Laws are different from state to state, and even from county to county, but in California (which is where I'm from also....howdy neighbor!), folding knives of all sizes, as long as they are not automatics or gravity knives (balisongs), are completely legal under state law. Fixed blades, of any size or blade configuration, even double-edged daggers, are legal if they are worn openly.....
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Exactly, FB Knives are IIRC the term is in battery, ready to be used, while a folder has to be removed from the pocket or sheath and then opened before it's in battery.
 
topol said:
In Florida I believe a concealed carry permit covers not only a handgun but any weapon (including knives of any size). This is not the case in most states that issue CCP's and though there is reciprocity on the CCP with many states the repiprocity does not cover knives.
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in fl it covers anything that can be used as a wepon I belive.
 
We can't carry handguns here at all,there is no permits that allow carrying one.I think its rediculous myself,as you could legally strap a machete on your hip and walk into the liquor store and have zero problems,I wouldn't try it,just sayting that there are no carry laws here for knives,no set blade length ,notta thing.I regularly use my 110 in restuarants without so much as a second stare from patrons.
 
Riversidedep is correct. Fixed blades cannot be carried concealed legally in California, no matter what size. If carried openly with no part of the handle or sheath covered, you can carry any size fixed blade legally. Go figure - a Hartsook on a chain under my shirt is illegal, but I can legally carry my swords (of course it might still attract attention). And folders carried in the open and locked position are treated the same as fixed blades.
 
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