CT Knife Laws; A Few Questions.

[kieserk]

Hi, I wanted to know a few questions:

- Are double edged knifes allowed for carrying? (ex; http://www.bawidamann.com/shop/Shenanigans%20%3E%20Bawidamann%20Blades/karambit-skeletonized-bronze-cerakoted-01/ )

- Are butterfly knifes allowed for carry?

- Will I need to actually be going fishing or hunting in order not to get in trouble with police? Let me rephrase; if I'm carrying, say, a five inch blade(Not blade + handle, just blade) during winter, but I have a fishing license on me, will in get trouble? Its not like I'm gonna carry a 10 inch blade on my hip! but if I was to carry a 5 inch blade partially concealed on my belt for work, I just wanna know how strict most police officers have been in your experience.

- What knifes would you recommend staying away from while buying a carry knife, what type would you go for?

Thank you for your time!

Regards, Mason.

 

[glistam]

-Double-edged: It is possible that double-edged count as a "dirk" or "stiletto." These terms are never defined in the law but often are interpreted by the courts to mean double-edged stabbing knives.
-Butterfly knives: Surprising yes they are legal. Nothing about the law's language calls them out. Keep in mind they are still subject to other restrictions that apply to any other knife, such as length limitations.
-Hunting/Fishing: You must be carrying the knife for the purpose of those activities. Merely having a license does not make you legal.
-Stay away from switchblades, daggers, and "weaponized" knives.

One major thing to keep in mind is the law doesn't care if it's concealed or not. Carry is carry in CT.

Here's the law with some parts emphasized by me and other parts redacted for brevity:

Sec. 53-206. Carrying of dangerous weapons prohibited.
(a) Any person who carries upon his or her person any BB. gun, blackjack, metal or brass knuckles, or any dirk knife, or any switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which a blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches in length, or stiletto, or any knife the edged portion of the blade of which is four inches or more in length, any police baton or nightstick, or any martial arts weapon or electronic defense weapon, as defined in section 53a-3, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument, shall be guilty of a class E felony. ...

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to
...
(3) the carrying of a knife, the edged portion of the blade of which is four inches or more in length, by

...
(C) any person while transporting such knife as merchandise or for display at an authorized gun or knife show,
(D) any person who is found with any such knife concealed upon one's person while lawfully removing such person's household goods or effects from one place to another, or from one residence to another,
(E) any person while actually and peaceably engaged in carrying any such knife from such person's place of abode or business to a place or person where or by whom such knife is to be repaired, or while actually and peaceably returning to such person's place of abode or business with such knife after the same has been repaired,
(F) any person holding a valid hunting, fishing or trapping license issued pursuant to chapter 490 or any salt water fisherman carrying such knife for lawful hunting, fishing or trapping activities, or
(G) any person while participating in an authorized historic reenactment;​

(4) the carrying by any person enrolled in or currently attending, or an instructor at, a martial arts school of a martial arts weapon while in a class or at an authorized event or competition or while transporting such weapon to or from such class, event or competition;
...