Connecticut

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So i know switchblades are illegal. What is the max. fixed and folder size? Can i carry a small double edged knife like a meyerco necklance?
 
The quick and dirty answer:

Knives with cutting edges under 4" are ok. Folder or fixed doesn't matter per se.
No double edged - "dirk" in legal circles has this idiotic interpretation as all double-edged. Could possible argue your way out using an expert witness, but by then you've already been arrested.
Switchblades ARE allowed, but must have blades under 1.5"
 
Lol, so there goes my Meyerco Necklance, Stiletto switchblade and most larger folders and all fixed blades.
 
Must I conceal or carry openly any single edged knife <4" blade, or is it up to me? I just got a BK&T Necker and want to carry it on my belt, but I want to be sure it is legal for someone to see it if my shirt rides up or to not see it if I were to keep it in my pocket.

Also, it is my understanding that the definition of "dangerous weapon" is >4" and or double edged and or auto opening and >1.5", is this correct?

Edit to add: I've never carried a fixed blade before, so I want to know the law.
 
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I just got a BK&T Necker and want to carry it on my belt, but I want to be sure it is legal for someone to see it if my shirt rides up or to not see it if I were to keep it in my pocket.

Your fine either way. Open or concealed is up to us with knives, unlike handguns.

I carry a BK11 as my EDC and often carry on my belt concealed. Sometimes even openly, but I am in a rural area and knives don't scare too many people out here.
 
I tend to carry an RAT rc-3 when doing outside work, or in the carpenters pocket on my carharts, tends to get left there alot of the time and its never caused a problem.

You can get around most of the CT knife laws with a CCW of course, figured I'd add that.
 
I tend to carry an RAT rc-3 when doing outside work, or in the carpenters pocket on my carharts, tends to get left there alot of the time and its never caused a problem.

You can get around most of the CT knife laws with a CCW of course, figured I'd add that.

Actually, the legislature stripped the police chiefs ability to issue permits to carry a dangerous weapon a few years ago (late 90s or early 2000s) while revamping 53-206. The only circumstances in which you can legally carry a knife greater than 4" are for the purpose of hunting, fishing, or trapping (legally, with a valid license) or while engaged in legal salt water fishing (which will likely require licensure soon). AFAIK, you may also transport such a knife for repair or with your household goods when moving to a new place of residence. Moreover, you can carry any dangerous or deadly weapon in your home or fixed place of business (in which you maintain proprietary interest).

Pistol Permits only allow carriage of pistols or revolvers (and serve as exemptors from the 14 day wait on long guns).

On the plus side, we do have caselaw that clearly stipulates that knives not specifically described in the definition of a dangerous weapon may not be considered such (there is "any other dangerous or deadly weapon...") for the purposes of 53-206.
 
Actually, the legislature stripped the police chiefs ability to issue permits to carry a dangerous weapon a few years ago (late 90s or early 2000s) while revamping 53-206. The only circumstances in which you can legally carry a knife greater than 4" are for the purpose of hunting, fishing, or trapping (legally, with a valid license) or while engaged in legal salt water fishing (which will likely require licensure soon). AFAIK, you may also transport such a knife for repair or with your household goods when moving to a new place of residence. Moreover, you can carry any dangerous or deadly weapon in your home or fixed place of business (in which you maintain proprietary interest).

Pistol Permits only allow carriage of pistols or revolvers (and serve as exemptors from the 14 day wait on long guns).

On the plus side, we do have caselaw that clearly stipulates that knives not specifically described in the definition of a dangerous weapon may not be considered such (there is "any other dangerous or deadly weapon...") for the purposes of 53-206.

Thanks a lot for letting me know, thats fairly important information! :thumbup:
 
Your fine either way. Open or concealed is up to us with knives, unlike handguns.

I was looking up something on the CT DPS website not long ago and I was surprised to see that concealed carry of handguns is not required in CT. Among the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions, I found one that said that the C.G.S.s are silent on the issue of concealed carry. If you look at CGS 29-35, you'll see that is correct.

I tried to look up the FAQs to include with this post, but I see that the DPS has changed them as of 03/20/09 and apparently removed that info. I may have save the original FAQs on my computer at work. I'll check when I get in.

I found some links suggesting that the state is trying to make concealment required, so that may be why they changed the earlier FAQs. It's also possible that they have already approved a change to the carry laws. This will require some more research...

I did find this Summary of CT firearms laws from 2007. It looked good, but I don't know if it's still up to date.
 
I found the list of FAQs that I referenced in my earlier post. The State didn't change the list, there are two separate lists. They are both on the www.ct.gov website, but one is at the DPS and the other is at the BFPE. The list that I was looking for is the BFPE (Board of Firearms Permit Examiners). I'll post the first question and its answer below:

GUN PERMIT-RELATED QUESTIONS

1. Is there any statute prescribing that firearms must be carried concealed?

The answer is no. The law does not address this issue. But, with limited exceptions, it is illegal to carry a handgun, whether concealed or openly, without a permit, except in one's home or place of business (CGS § 29-35(a)).​
 
I tried to look up the FAQs to include with this post, but I see that the DPS has changed them as of 03/20/09 and apparently removed that info. I may have save the original FAQs on my computer at work. I'll check when I get in.

I found some links suggesting that the state is trying to make concealment required, so that may be why they changed the earlier FAQs. It's also possible that they have already approved a change to the carry laws. This will require some more research...
Previously, the FAQ said what is the current reality. If you carry an unconcealed firearm, and you cause somebody to panic and call the police, you will likely be arrested, charged with breach of peace and have your permit revoked. They also used to have a response (to that or another question) that read something along the lines of "Mature judgement dictates..."

The State Police are changeing their tone as a result of lawsuit filed against DPS by Ed Peruta, an individual known for taking the government to task for seemingly small matters (especially re. FOIA requests). Ed Peruta is the same individual who sued over sales tax on prepared food a couple years ago (I believe he sued Big Y and the State). He posts regularly on www.opencarry.org.

Here are the documents relating to Peruta's current lawsuit:
http://www.ourrockyhill.com/Docs/Declaratory.Documents.htm

There was a bill brought to committee this year that would have forbade open-carry in CT, except by on duty LEOs. The bill was backed by DPS, though it didn't really go anywhere. My personal opinion is this was a response to the Peruta suit. If passed, it would have outright prohibited all open carry of pistols and revolvers- including that by security guards and hunters.
 
If you carry an unconcealed firearm, and you cause somebody to panic and call the police, you will likely be arrested, charged with breach of peace and have your permit revoked.

That is the likely result, but I believe it is a misapplication of law, one that I have argued with my co-workers about on more than one occasion. If you are engaged in a lawful activity, and someone panics because of their own misconception of what the law says, how do your actions suddenly become unlawful? Surprisingly, more cops have agreed with me than you might think. Of course, if the guy with the gun in plain view is already a criminal, his chances of arrest go up to about 100%...
 
I was looking up something on the CT DPS website not long ago and I was surprised to see that concealed carry of handguns is not required in CT..

You are correct. However as MP510 stated,depending on where you live, it is not socially acceptable.And you will risk losing your permit,at the very least.

Prior to the past housing boom in my town you could easily get away with open carry. No one would even bat an eye.With the many city folk,most from nearby states, who moved in it is no longer so laid back here.:(

For awhile we were having problems with them reporting "gunshots". Till they got the hint that it was a fact of life in the "sticks".
 
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