Couldn't knife laws just go something like...

B

BlindedByTheLite

Joined
May 6, 2004
Messages
347
1). SCRAP all current knife laws...
2). www.USknifelaws.com
3). list each state
4). every single state follow the EXACT SAME set-up, in DETAIL, with REWRITTEN laws

it'd go something like...

Knife laws for the state of Maine

Anyone with no violent felony charges may carry a knife within the following guidelines:
a). the blade of a fixed knife does not exceed 5 inches or the blade of a folding knife does not exceed 3.5 inches
b). the blade is not being carried with violent intent
c). the blade is not being carried into a government building or school
d). the blade is not a dagger, balisong or automatic opener
e). a blade being carried on a plane must be locked and stored in cargo
f). it is not a fantasy blade
g). etc
h). etc
i). etc
j). etc

BLADES NOT MEETING THESE GUIDELINES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO PUNISHMENT WHEN:
- the blade is being transported and used for training or blade showcasing
- the owner of the blade is a law enforcement officer or other government agent
- etc
- etc

Knife laws for the state of Texas

Anyone with no violent felony charges may carry a knife within the following guidelines:
a). the blade of a fixed knife does not exceed 10 inches or the blade of a folding knife does not exceed 5 inches
b). the blade is not being carried with violent intent
c). the blade is not being carried into a government building or school
d). the blade is not a dagger, balisong or automatic opener
e). a blade being carried on a plane must be locked and stored in cargo
f). it is not a fantasy blade
g). etc
h). etc
i). etc
j). etc

BLADES NOT MEETING THESE GUIDELINES ARE NOT SUBJECT TO PUNISHMENT WHEN:
- the blade is being transported and used for training or blade showcasing
- the owner of the blade is a law enforcement officer or other government agent
- a fast opening blade is mistaken for an automatic
- etc
- etc

i didn't put much thought into this, but you get the idea... would it not be much easier this way? if every state was on one collective database and following the exact same protocol in detail?

WHY don't they do it this way? that way it'd be a breeze to research a state and quickly find all exceptions and stipulations... you just click the state and there you go, everything allowed and everything prohibited write there in plain everyday English...
 
Well, I agree with you up to this point:

"1). SCRAP all current knife laws..."

And then I would replace them with something such as:

"No person shall use a knife to cause or threaten harm to another, except in the defense of that person's self or another's."
 
There's already a law against that. It's called Assault & Battery, and most states have suitable self defense exceptions.

Blinded, what are you trying to accomplish? Why is a 6" folder bad when a 10" fixed-blade is not?

If there are blade length laws (there shouldn't be -- but if there are), they should regulate blades longer than X and/or double-edged knives. That's it. No other criteria make any sense at all.

"Violent intent" is also a recipe for disaster. Courts often decide that certain evil-looking knives justify a presumption of violent intent unless the defendant can prove that his/her carry of the knife was benign. Self defense is sometimes considered violent intent.

"- the owner of the blade is a law enforcement officer or other government agent"
That's terrible. We do not have guardians in this country who are above the law. Possession and carry laws should apply equally to Police and to Citizens.
 
i'm not trying to accomplish anything... i'm trying to find out why knife laws aren't following the same protocol across the whole country, with plainly stated knife laws...

i didn't say a 6 inch folder is bad and a 10 inched fixed blade isn't... i was just filling in random crap... i told you i didn't put much thought into it! heh

personally, i'd rather deal with the violent intent piece of it in court than dealing with the infinite number of differences from LEO to LEO you have to deal with today... wouldn't you? y'know in that other thread where you stated you could open your Spyderco Police model with centrifugal force, but you wouldn't be arrested for it? maybe you've got it made there, but i know a half dozen ppl here in Maine who have been arrested or had their knives seized for the simple fact they can open by means of centrifugal force... it happens... often... the laws need to cut down on the bullsht and put everything in one official database, without any differences in the way knives are governed from state to state, city to city, block to block, squad car to squad car, and badge to badge... and of course court to court, judge to judge, and juror to juror...

allowing LEO's and government agents to use knives not available to the public isn't putting them above the law... they put their lives in danger every day, for a living! they sometimes need weapons that citizens obviously do not need...
 
Private citizens obviously do not need what kinds of weapons? Knives? Ever try cutting food with a knife that's legal to carry? How do you get knives back from the store legally? How do you take it to a friend's house for a dinner party? In many places, doing either is technically illegal, or it's up to a jury to decide if you're telling the truth about where you were going. If they don't believe you (which can and does happen), off to jail you go!

As for firearms, don't even get me started.

You seem to think that it's solely the responsibility of the police to maintain order. That is false. That is not how law enforcement is supposed to work, though sadly in large cities it does seem to work that way. Citizens can arrest on any number of serious crimes-in-progress, so they have just as much need for LEO-only weapons. What citizens can't do is use force to chase down fleeing and non-dangerous criminals, nor can they arrest for minor crimes (typically... though citizen's arrest powers vary widely).
 
tyme said:
Private citizens obviously do not need what kinds of weapons? Knives? Ever try cutting food with a knife that's legal to carry? How do you get knives back from the store legally? How do you take it to a friend's house for a dinner party? In many places, doing either is technically illegal, or it's up to a jury to decide if you're telling the truth about where you were going. If they don't believe you (which can and does happen), off to jail you go!

As for firearms, don't even get me started.

You seem to think that it's solely the responsibility of the police to maintain order. That is false. That is not how law enforcement is supposed to work, though sadly in large cities it does seem to work that way. Citizens can arrest on any number of serious crimes-in-progress, so they have just as much need for LEO-only weapons. What citizens can't do is use force to chase down fleeing and non-dangerous criminals, nor can they arrest for minor crimes (typically... though citizen's arrest powers vary widely).
Click to expand...
you misunderstood EVERYTHING i said.
 
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