I have a sword about 18 inches in length, and i keep reading these laws about walking with them. and they seem to be going both ways. I just want to know am I able to walk with my sword in its sheath on my back. It really wouldnt be concealed the handle is completely visible. Can someone help me on this?
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Confused about washington state knife laws
- Thread starter Dirdum
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2004
- Messages
- 1,022
Moderators, should perhaps this be moved, lest we bore everyone to tears? 
Hello,
I'm not a lawyer, just a fellow Washington resident. A quick search of http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch/default.asp using the word "sword" yields just one hit in the Revised Code of Washington.
RCW 9.41.270
Weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm -- Unlawful carrying or handling -- Penalty -- Exceptions.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.
I have no idea how that last clause is interpreted legally, but I would think that the language gives officers a broad definition of what "warrants alarm." Someone carrying a wakizashi in downtown Seattle would certainly create a disturbance, but someone wandering around the channeled scablands might not. I hope this helps.
Jeremy
Hello,
I'm not a lawyer, just a fellow Washington resident. A quick search of http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch/default.asp using the word "sword" yields just one hit in the Revised Code of Washington.
RCW 9.41.270
Weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm -- Unlawful carrying or handling -- Penalty -- Exceptions.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.
I have no idea how that last clause is interpreted legally, but I would think that the language gives officers a broad definition of what "warrants alarm." Someone carrying a wakizashi in downtown Seattle would certainly create a disturbance, but someone wandering around the channeled scablands might not. I hope this helps.
Jeremy