Define "dagger" please (CS Safekeeper III related)

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Xian

Joined
Apr 16, 2001
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In NJ we apparently are forbidden from carrying "daggers". Now in NJ, it should be common sense to just not carry any exotic blades period, but as a matter of legalism, where does a single-edged "push knife" like the Cold Steel Safekeeper III fit in?

Does "dagger" constitute a two edged knife, which the SK3 is not? Or does it include push daggers which become exempt once termed by the manufacturer as a "push knife"? ;) Finally, assuming the SK3 is legal- must carry concealed or open? Thanks!
 
And, of course, I've read the knife laws at:
http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/nj.txt

I'm looking more for interpretation.

Carry, for instance, seems unclear... basically, carry is only legal if you have a good reason (hunting, fishing, etc.) with little said about concealment except two excerpts from case law?
 
Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything that defines "dagger" under New Jersey state law. Maybe someone else can help with that.

It appears that daggers, dirks and all that other good stuff listed in 2C:39-3 e. isn't just illegal to carry, but it's also illegal to possess, so you can't even have one in your house. (State v. Jose Alvarez, 1999 N.J. Super.)

The knives listed in 2C:39-3 e. are "weapons per se", meaning that they are considered by the law to be specifically designed as weapons. Other types of knives could be illegal under 2C:39-4 d.:
Other weapons. Any person who has in his possession any weapon, except a firearm, with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the third degree.
Click to expand...
or 2C:39-5 d.:
Other weapons. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any other weapon under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for such lawful uses as it may have is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
Click to expand...

It seems that if the knife isn't of the type that is listed in 2C:39-3 e., you can carry it openly or concealed as long as you don't intend to use it for unlawfull purposes. It would be extremely difficult for a prosecutor to prove that you intend to use it unlawfully unless you confess or you actually do use it unlawfully. See State v. Jimmy Lee Riley, 1997 N.J. Super. for more about this.

2C:39-6. f. (2) and (3) list specific exemptions, but I believe that you can still carry a knife even if you don't meet the conditions there. As long as you don't intend to use it unlawfully, I don't see a problem.

Keep in mind that this stuff is just my personal interpretation of NJ law and I could easily be wrong. :)
 
Thanks, I'll just continue to be a good citizen... if not precisely law-abiding (but only out of ignorance!)/ ;)
 
"Daggers," "dirks," and "stilettos" are double-edged knives, by definition.

NAPPEN II: NEW JERSEY GUN, KNIFE, & WEAPON LAW is a good reference for civilians (non-lawyers). See http://www.evannappen.com/nappenii/

So the Safekeeper III is probably a "dirk" under NJ law.

HTH,
- pdmoderator
 
I live in the Bronx right now (college student0 but my permanent residence is in NJ. I couldn't get an original F-S Dagger as a collectors peice because of these god dammed laws. I had wanted one forever. NJ is a royal pain in the ass with these laws. I'm sorry, I'm still angry and upset about losing that purchase. I had always wanted one and when I finally find one I can afford I can't get it because of my abomination of a states dumb law. I am nervous with my Gerber EZ out in my pocket!:mad:So I don't even carry it for fear of breaking some obscure law. Never mind that I woudl never misuse it.To New Jersey, use means nothing. Mere possesion makes you a criminal. NJ's laws make me want to :barf:
I'm sorry about the effects of these dumb laws on you Xian.They are dumb through and through. All I have to say is THANK GOD FOR THE US CONSTITUTION. Maybe we can get these dumb things repealed. NYC is even worse!
 
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