CT Knife Laws

O

OverlordXenu

Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Messages
4
I just read this thread, and was wondering if there have been any changes in the laws or legal precedents?

I was thinking of getting a Cold Steel Recon Tanto, and was wondering if it would be legal to conceal carry if I got a fishing permit?

Thanks.

Edit: I also have a Leatherman Wave, and was wondering about its legality.
 
There have been no recent changes to Connecticut's statutes dealing with knives; Sec. 53-206. Carrying of dangerous weapons prohibited, and Sec. 29-38. Weapons in vehicles.

Both statutes generally prohibit the carrying of "...any knife the edged portion of the blade of which is four inches or over in length..." However, both statutes also say;
The provisions of this section shall not apply to... ...(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...​
 Therefore, the short answer is Yes, you can carry your Cold Steel Recon Tanto while fishing if you possess a valid fishing license. (I would recommend carrying the license with you.) Whether or not your knife is concealed is irrelevant as far as the CT General Statutes go.

As far as the blade on your Leatherman, it depends on the length of its edged portion. If it is under 4 inches in length, you are all set. Leatherman's website lists the Wave itself as being 4" long. I would assume that means the edged portion of the blade is less than that, but you should measure it if you aren't sure.
 
I think you can read that part of the statute two ways; 1. That only need to have the fishing license or be a salt water fisherman... 2. That you need to have the fishing license and be carrying the knife for lawful fishing activities.

However, I think it's pretty clear that the intent of the Legislature was that you be engaged in lawful hunting or fishing activities, and it's probably not a good idea to become a test case to see if they worded the statute properly.

CT's weapons statutes actually seem to be more intelligent than most states, concentrating on prohibiting specific acts with the "weapons" more so than demonizing the actual "weapons" themselves. Although, it's always seemed silly to me that I can get a permit to carry a concealed pistol but not a knife with a blade over 4 inches.

I guess the lawmakers like to ignore the fact that the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution refers to "Arms", not just to firearms. Similarly, Section 15 of the CT Constiution's bill of rights says, "Every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and the state.", again with no attempt to define firearms as the only type of arms. (Of course a logical reading of Sec. 1 of CT's bill of rights prohibits welfare payments, at least unless every citizen receives one.)

The bottom line is that everyone who pays taxes is screwed as long as we have a system where politicians can ignore our founding documents, steal our money through taxes, then dole out the money as they see fit, with the twin goals of enriching themselves and buying votes to remain in office.
 
There are any number of knives that would be lawful for everyday carry in CT. What do you need your knife to do? Do you want a fixed blade or a folding knife? Stainless or carbon steel? It all depends on your wants and needs.

In my own case, I prefer to carry a folding knife. I don't really do much with it beside opening mail and little chores like that, so edge holding is not a huge issue. I like stainless steel so that I don't have to worry about it rusting. I also carry a relatively inexpensive knife, so if I lose it I won't be too upset.

This is what I usually carry, a Gerber 3.5:

5868.jpg




However, I made this one for when I go fishing:

Ring-Hilt-Knife-with-sheath-4.jpg
 
Xenu -

For under $100, most people on the forum would send you to three places: a benchmade mini-grip, any one of the kershaw ken onion knives, or a spyderco native, delica, or endura. To see pictures of the knives, you can either go to the manufacturer's website, or www.newgraham.com

gc
 
confused06.gif
Hmmm, clearly I was mistaken in my belief that it was relevant to know what type of knife someone wanted or needed before making recommendations on what they should buy. :p
 
I think you can read that part of the statute two ways; 1. That only need to have the fishing license or be a salt water fisherman... 2. That you need to have the fishing license and be carrying the knife for lawful fishing activities.

However, I think it's pretty clear that the intent of the Legislature was that you be engaged in lawful hunting or fishing activities, and it's probably not a good idea to become a test case to see if they worded the statute properly.
Click to expand...

I think the words "for" and "purposes" are actually relatively ingenious verbiage. They seem very useful for indirect hunting, trapping fishing activities- say hanging a legally killed deer behind your home for butchering or something like that.

Now, what I wonder, is to what exact extent it would cover somebody. Would they be covered if they had a 4''+ knife and some tackle in their trunk, with a real intent to go fishing (or hunting, or trapping) after work (fore example)?

The only other snafu with CT law, is that is does not specify how length should be measured- whether the portion would be measured along the curve of the blade or linearly. Presumably, this vaguity could allow an officer to measure the edge either way.

On the plus side, though, is that Connecticut is concerened with length of the edged portion, unlike most other states.

Also, you always want to have the license on you when your fishing. Not carrying it while engaged is a (IIRC) $70 fine or something like that.

The other good thing is that Connecticut courts have held (and the legislature has incorporated) that a knife not so defined as a dangerous weapon in 53-206 is not a dangerous weapon when peacibly carried.

I had one very positiveinterraction with a Farmington cop while fishing at Batterson once. It went real well, and they didn't so much as ask a single quiestion about the sheathed knife hanging off my neck (it was a small knife, but I would have expected a much different reaction from an LEO confronting somebody he didn't know). They simply wanted to check fishing licenses (as I produced mine from my wallet, they were satisfied- they didn't even review the info)- they were trying to scare off miscreants IMO- it seemed like there's a bit of drug activity going on up there until the rolled through. Was glad to see them up there- a little scum can make a good day really miserable.

BTW- the Gerber is a good knife. I have a similar model with the teflon coated 3" partially serrated blade.
 
I'm confused. Is it the whole blade itself that has to be 4 inches included the serrated part or just the serrated part?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top