Definition of concealed carry/Indiana, Michigan laws.

[Steel130]

Ok so I would like to start carrying a few fixed blades in pocket sheaths. Meaning the sheath will have a pocket clip on it like the Izula 2 sheath does. I think this looks less threatening than having a knife right on your hip in public. Part of the handle will always be showing just like a folder. I live in Indiana, but work, and frequent Michigan. Would cops see this form of carrying a fixed blade as concealed? I plan to get a CCW soon, so maybe that would take care of any issue to begin with. Thanks for anyone's help.

 

[killgar]

I don't know the laws of Indiana or Michigan, but I do carry a fixed-blade openly here in California.

In general, I will say the following- The common laymans opinion tends to be that as long as the knife is clearly visible and is recognizable as a knife then you are ok. But just because YOU recognize it as a knife doesn't mean the cops will, and it's their opinion that matters. Every cop is different and what one cop might overlook another might arrest you for. If you are stopped by one who does consider your knife to be conceald, then it might be up to a jury to decide, and this is not a position you want to be in.

My opinion is this- If you are going to openly carry a fixed-blade, then OPENLY CARRY your fixed-blade. Don't leave ANY room for the opinions of others (cops, prosecuters, jurors) to put you behind bars. Take it from someone who has done time (me), when your freedom is on the line, go the extra mile to avoid incarceration. Just getting arrested can really screw-up your life even if you are aquitted or are lucky enough to get the charges dropped. Being arrested, and the time you might have to spend in jail waiting for the matter to get sorted out might cost you your job (the criminal justice system can move very slowly). And if you are found guilty of carrying a conceald weapon (and that's what they will call it) you could face a long jail sentence, probation, lose your rights to posess firearms and/or knives, and thousands of dollars in fines and court fees, not to mention the cost if you hire a lawyer.

I'd suggest that you err on the side of caution and carry your fixed-blade WIDE-OPEN or not at all. Don't gamble with your freedom. And as far as conceald carry permits, my understanding is that not all of them permit the conceald carry of knives, so make sure you check on that first.

 

[Steel130]

Thanks for the answer killgar. I am just wondering if a cop is going to see a fixed blade handle in my pocket differently than a pocket knife clipped to it? Not sure if there is a legal difference or not.

 

[glistam]

Thanks for the answer killgar. I am just wondering if a cop is going to see a fixed blade handle in my pocket differently than a pocket knife clipped to it? Not sure if there is a legal difference or not.

Your technically asking a forum to predict the opinions and prejudices of all Michigan and Indiana police officers. There's not really a reliable way to do that. Even the pocket clip of a folder showing is debatable depending on the law: In most states, if a folder is legal it's legal fully concealed deep down inside a pocket with no clip showing. If concealed carry of said folder is not legal, it's entirely possible for a visible clip to be considered concealed because it is not recognizable as a knife, which the cop's perception of it not counting because they are "specially trained" to spot weapons.

Now for the record, Indiana state law is actually super knife-friendly. You can carry anything you want concealed or opening, even fixed blades, so you're good there regardless of what you do unless you live in some crazy uber-paranoid big city with special municipal regulations.
(Source: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title35/ar47/ch5.html)

 

[tobii3]

...But just because YOU recognize it as a knife doesn't mean the cops will, and it's their opinion that matters. Every cop is different and what one cop might overlook another might arrest you for....Don't leave ANY room for the opinions of others...I'd suggest that you err on the side of caution and carry your fixed-blade WIDE-OPEN or not at all. Don't gamble with your freedom.

With all respect to the LEOs here, Rookies are the worst "offenders" on this issue. Not saying they are right, nor am I saying they are wrong...bit of a devil's advocate here, and there are a couple of reasons:

First and foremost, young guns in blue are anxious to prove themselves...and they get overzealous. Nothing wrong, we're all guilty of it (overzealous,that is, not an LEO here). The other reason is simple....COMMON SENSE.

Carrying a fixed blade, let's say, for the sake of the argument, an AG Russell Woodswalker...

Wouldn't necessarily be perceived as posing a threat or possible risk, as opposed to carrying, say....

Now, I say "wouldn't necessarily be perceived" in the loosest sense because we all know there are people out there who consider a fingernail file as a "deadly weapon".

Something else to consider is the situation itself. Exchanging insurance information after a fender bender while a knife is clipped to your pocket or sheathed on your belt is no need for alarm. Beating on the guys window screaming obscenities and verbal threats while carrying those same knives, however...

Killgar's comments are based on real world experience - the best type of knowledge to have.

 

[Steel130]

Thanks for the answers guys. I do not go out of my way what soever to be attract attention to myself in public. I also do not run around with the type of people that are out making trouble. If I had a run in with an officer it would be because I got pulled over for speeding. For myself, I think I am ok with carrying a fixed blade with the handle showing. Hopefully the Cops won't perceive it as a threat or anything. I would hope that worst that would happen anyway is the knife in question getting confinscated.

ETA: I just talked to a Michigan State Police Officer and as long as I am not intending to carry a knife with intent to harm others. There is not a blade length limit. She also stated that if it is not a dirk,dagger, stiletto, or non folding double edged knife then it is legal. And it sounds like pocket sheath carry would pretty much be ok. Although she couldn't give me a difinitive answer on concealed carry, because she couldn't see the knife in question. It sounds like mainly concealed carry is unlawful if one of the above four illegal ones described.

 

[HoosierQ]

On the Indiana side there is really no law concerning carrying a fixed blade. Period. The only thing that's illegal in Indiana is a switchblade and that's currently in the State Senate and may go away. Can't speak to Michigan.

Carry whatever you like, however you like. In other words any knife is just as legal (or illegal) as any other...no knives of any sort in courthouses, sporting arenas, etc. Lot's of bars here will confiscate a knife if you have one pocket clippped...you can leave with the knife and not come back or give it up...their house, their rules I guess.

 

[Casey4545]

I would be careful in Michigan, hunting knives that look like hunting knives are about the most I would risk carrying for a fixed blade. Folding knives must be less than 3 inches. I wouldn't partially conceal any fixed blade of any length. You're right about the "intent" being the determining factor, but that still leaves a TON of gray area. I think killgar said it best. Its too bad the laws are so restrictive. Just about anybody can get a cpl but its a crime to carry a 3.5" pocket knife

 

[Steel130]

I would be careful in Michigan, hunting knives that look like hunting knives are about the most I would risk carrying for a fixed blade. Folding knives must be less than 3 inches. I wouldn't partially conceal any fixed blade of any length. You're right about the "intent" being the determining factor, but that still leaves a TON of gray area. I think killgar said it best. Its too bad the laws are so restrictive. Just about anybody can get a cpl but its a crime to carry a 3.5" pocket knife

Below is what a Michigan State Officer told me today. She also quite heavily stressed that there is no blade length limit, if you are not intending to carry the knife with intent to harm another person.

I just talked to a Michigan State Police Officer and as long as I am not intending to carry a knife with intent to harm others. There is not a blade length limit. She also stated that if it is not a dirk,dagger, stiletto, or non folding double edged knife then it is legal. And it sounds like pocket sheath carry would pretty much be ok. Although she couldn't give me a difinitive answer on concealed carry, because she couldn't see the knife in question. It sounds like mainly concealed carry is unlawful if one of the above four illegal ones described.

 

[adnj]

There is no blade length limit. The issue is intent and under what circumstances you came into contact with the LEO. There have been cases where a hammer or screw driver was deemed a weapon because of the circumstances involved. The Michigan CPL is also very specific with regard to it only licensing carrying a concealed pistol in certain areas and with certain incremental restrictions (such as permissible blood alcohol level) at others.