Europe vs US laws

[C_Becker]

I keep reading about blade length restrictions, concealed carrying and lots of other things from U.S. posters here.
And all very different from state to state, so its pretty hard to keep track when travelling etc.
NYC in particular seem to be really strict about knife carrying

Compared to Germany, where I live I can carry:
-a fixed blade with up to 12cm blade length, larger with "legal reason"
-a 2-hand folder of any length and locking mechanism
-a 1-hand folder of any length without locking mechanism (OHO with lock only with "legal reason")

No mention of concealed carry anywhere

Obvious no-gos are double edge, carrying on public events, OTFs, balisong, courts, airports
I think thats pretty similar to the U.S

So are European knife laws really that bad compared to US laws ?
I know the UK and I think Denmark have some pretty strict laws, I don't know much about other european countries

 

[killgar]

I don't know about all states here in the US, but here in California (in particular San Diego), the knife laws are pretty liberal. Here's a simple breakdown of some California knife laws-

We can carry openly or conceald, any size folding knife, with any type of lock. The exceptions are- folders cannot be carried conceald with the blade in the open and locked position, no gravity knives (folders where the blade can swing out from the handle under its own weight), and no switchblades with a blade 2 inches or longer. There are also restrictions on butterfly knives but I don't remember them off the top of my head.

We can openly carry any size fixed-blade, single or double-edged.

We aren't required to provide law enforcement with a reason for why we are carrying any type of legally permitted knife.

We aren't allowed to carry on school grounds or in court buildings.

We are allowed to carry at public events (street fairs, carnivals, etc) as long as they are on public property or private property where the owner of said property doesn't object.

We are allowed to carry in parks and on state owned property.

 

[DrIndianaJones]

Hi everyone. I am reasonably new to this forum and loving it. I always try to stay in tune with knife laws primarily in my own state but also in Europe for travel reasons. In Europe I can be found carrying a Fallkniven F2 3G locking folder. The best pocket knife in the world in my opinion. With a 3 inch blade it satisfies 'most' European countries.

Australia has some pretty ambiguous if not strict knife laws but they are not as bad as Britain, where you can't even have a locking folder, only slip joints are allowed. For those of you who are interested 'Downunder' our laws fall under 'The Weapons Control Act, 1973'. This means whatever weapon you are carrying that is legal must not be seen to be being used in an offensive manner and you must provide the police with a lawful and reasonable excuse when and if questioned by them and the situation/ circumstances you are in are often taken into account by the police. For example some of these are; you can carry a concealed knifes for food prepartion, you can carry belt knifes or pocket knifes for recognised sports and recreational purposes like fishing, hunting, hiking and camping. But your circumstances and situation is almost always interpreted by Police in considering wether you are using the knife offensively. For example you cant on you're way home from a fishing trip go shopping with your knife on you're belt. We believe this interpreatation of circumstances can sometimes be a breach of our rights, as you are basically left to the mercy and nature of the Police Officer, who can and does decide you're fate. For example wearing a knife around a camp sight vs being caught with it hiking in the middle of no where. Obviously the former example would be seen as being more detrimental than the latter. Horse vetinarians and chefs are allowed to carry knifes, but maunfacturers and ealers are not.

Other ambiguous laws here are our Customs laws. Its clear that we cannot import automatic, flicks and mechanical assisted openers but they say we cannot import assisted openers (knifes that can be opened with one hand using a fixture or thumb stud on the blade). BUT we can add this blade fixture and carry the knife legally!? Go figure! The other weird thing is some suppliers sell these here and other don't. Customs also somtimes lets them in as well, so you can see how our govenrment won't tell us thr truth and is ambiguous in its decision making at times. It is illegal here to both import and to own double sided edged knifes like daggers and swords. However is some states this is legal if you join a knife or preferably a militaria or collectors club. Note these knife types cannot be carried about unless its for the purposes they are own i.e. taking them to be restored, to a club meeting or for the purposes of sale.

Unlike the US butterfly knifes, automatics, flicks and mechanically sprung assisted openers or wrist flicks are totally restricted and classed as illegal weapons to even have in you're home (like if you were caught owning a machine gun in some US states I guess). Note we have no restictions on blade length and locking blades are allowed.

My EDC here is a Fallkniven U4. Why because it is small, unthreatening and is a decsent utility knife. I have it concealed and my reason is, 'because I use it for food purposes at work or holidaying (food purposes). When I am engaged in sport or recreation I carry my Fallkniven F2, excellent utility and personal security knife.

 

[clayton c]

I think Euro laws are restrictive, some countries more than others. "Legitimate reason" bothers me somewhat. It's like you can never be sure what is legit from one person to the next.

 

[Samon]

I think Euro laws are restrictive, some countries more than others. "Legitimate reason" bothers me somewhat. It's like you can never be sure what is legit from one person to the next.

That's the issue the majority of people living in Britain face, confusing subjective laws. The law in Britain (England, scotland and wales - not inlcuding northern ireland with this law) is we can legally carry a folding knife and not have to provide a reason for doing so aslong as.. the 'cutting edge' of the blade is under 3"-75mm long and doesn't lock. Anything that locks, or is fixed into place is still legal to carry in public providing you have a 'reasonable excuse' to do so, i.e a butcher carrying knives to work, electricans carrying multitools on their belt etc. These laws are documented in 'section 139 of the criminal justice act'. Knives in Britain get alot of media attention due to the high levels of violent crime and murder that are regularly commited by young men with knives, it is in a sense quite serious and made much worse by the stupid press scaring people into thinking knives are bad, when really it's the unruley degenerate kids making a mess of an already difficult situation. However, alot of non British folk like to think 'knives are illegal over there' but they aren't, our law is written so that 'weapons' aren't on the streets (even though clearly they are- highest murder rate in europe what?!) and in the 60's it was made an offence to carry any 'article' for self defence, drastically changing 'knfie culture' from normal pocket tool to evil stabby nastyness for bad people.

I won't express my opinions on what I think the law should or shouldn't be, but I do like to clarfiy and help expalin to those who aren't aware. That being said, even if the dark lord Cthulhu banned all the knives in the universe I'd still carry mine, and cut up my apples with it in the park

 

[mlehto]

In Canada, anything goes as far as folders, and fixed blades, but no gravity knives, push knives or autos.

No length restriction, or locking restrictions at all.