Federal Employees and the 2 1/2 inch rule

RDaneel

RDaneel

Joined
Apr 23, 2000
Messages
5,501
I've been a federal employee (Army and now DoD) for 29 years. I've always kinda winked at this rule. But now, on my base, they have "reminded" everyone of this. I went and talked to the Chief of Police on base about how they measure the knife blade. He said from where the blade meets the handle. Then he showed me on my pocket knife (thankfully within limits). I also asked him what an officer would do if they found me with a knife over the limit. "Confiscate it," he said. Then I asked him if I could ever get it back. The answer was no. Now we have had several conversations over the last few years on terrorism. I travel overseas frequently and am required to get a briefing every six months. He's not a bad guy or unreasonable, but he does have to enforce federal policy.

The other problem I have with this policy is that it is base-wide. I can't even keep anything bigger in my truck!

One of my favorite EDCs is my William Henry CF Lancet - 2 5/8ths of an inch long blade. It really bugs me that I can't carry it. Up until this week, it has been with me every day for the last 15 months. I'm considering getting the new carbon fiber Persian to replace it.

My carry today is a small case folder and my Umfaan.

My question for you federal workers is, "What do you carry on the job - knowing this limit?"

Dean
 
Simple…I ignore it. I’ve worked for the DoD (in an office environment) for thirteen years and I’ve always carried a medium-to-large sized folder (well in excess the 2-½” limit). Today it’s a Benchmade Griptilian; usually I alternate between a Keith Coleman SUV, a Darrell Ralph Apogee and a Microtech LCC (dare I say it… a DA:rolleyes:!). At this point, I’m so disgusted with my job that I’d almost welcome any reason to quit…any attempt to give me grief about my knives would probably be the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back.” Fortunately (?), my bovine co-workers seem to be totally oblivious to my fascination with sharp, pointy objects. So, I’ll probably just continue to be a paycheck whore and miserably tick off the days until I can retire:(.

Disgruntledly yours,

Jim
 
I did not realize there was a 2.5" rule until just now. I work on federal property often as a contractor for the military, and have usually carried my small Classic sebenza on me. Not any more! Gives me an excuse to get the Spyderco Meerkat though :D

It does suck, though, and I feel your pain regarding the disqualification of your EDC. The sebbie is fast becoming my favorite as well, and it will be painful not to carry it!
 
Feel fortunate that you can carry anything! Since the attack, we have to go through metal detectors and empty our pockets. They posted a big ass sign by the door that says that NO knives are allowed in the building. No fingernail clippers, boxcutters, Leatherman tools, NOTHING.
 
Ditto what Ugly said.

I carry whatever I want for day to day from a large Sebenza to a large Crawford or BM710. I would try to explain them as tools if I had to. I carry them discreetly and I am not a bg so I don't worry too much about it. I work in DC and in the past sometimes have had to go into other federal bldgs, usually put my knife in the tray and walk through the detectors. When higher officials were involved Like the Pres I'd give my knife to the Secret Service personnel to hold till I finished my work, they'd just say thank you and I'd get it back later.

These days at places other than my building I won't do that. I'd go back to the car or hide it in the bushes. Remember, we are not the bad guys. We are the ones who with the right tools skills and abilities might be able to help in an emmergency. What next they'll want to take away my mini mag flashlight!
 
I,ve been with DOD for 25 years. Most of my EDC's have been with in that range ( SAK, Bucklite, Gerber EZ out). I was issued a Buck 110 when first employed (EMS) and carried a copy of the hand reciept when questioned by Mp personel. They let me alone. i also careied a Gerber Command II bo0ot knife for a bit, clipped inside my winter duty coat. My personal thought on the matter is, as long as your facility is at DEFCON Charlie or below, carry what you want and don't mention it. At Delta, all willbe searched so leave it in your underwear drawer!!
Ravenn in KY
 
I've been with the U.S.P.S. for 21 years, and generally have complied with this rule. It was thought to be 3 inches by most of the employees I know until recently.

My interests are generally known at work. I used to have an F.F.L., I have HK tattooed on my arm...you get the idea.Well...The Inspection Service received an ANONYMOUS letter back in June about me. It was reported that someone saw me "sharpening" my pocket knife and it made them "uncomfortable". I was probably stropping it on my checkbook, or something along those lines, but it matters not. A representative of management calls me on the carpet for a discussion of this in August.We discuss the facts,He actually asks me "Do we have anything to worry about" and I tell them they can talk with my doctors [I am being treated through medication for depression, I make no secret of this] That was my mistake, being HONEST and OPEN with people I work with!!:rolleyes: My response was basically "If anyone here thinks I would risk family or freedom over them or my job,then they give themselves ENTIRELY too much credit!!" This beats 21 years at mcdonald's, I'm glad to have a good job, but geez, I have a life, unlike, apparently, too many people here! then I sign a release so they can speak with my doctors. I have not officially heard much else. One of my Doctors did indicate they plied him with MANY questions, such as "Risk Indicators", mental health status, etc...

Currently I carry a Scott Black [ABS Journeyman] friction folder with a 1.75 inch blade. I have a custom TNT on order with an appropriately sized blade.
 
Hmmmm...I've worked for the postal service for 22 years and I never knew there was a limit on blade size. Most people I work with don't know I carry a knife and I usually don't use it while I'm in the office. I have been carrying my Blue Delica most workdays, cause it goes so well with the uniform.
Jeff
 
I've worked for the Army for 22 years and never knew of the restriction on knives. I've alwys carried a SAK of some sort and started carrying my Large Sebenza as my EDC for the last 3 years. Most people in my building know that I'm a knife nut and think I'm psycho for spending more than $15 on a blade. But then, most of the people in my building are the type who wake up, come to work, go home, eat dinner, watch TV, and go to sleep. No life. Why is it that most people are afraid to live, and have fun?
No risk, no reward, right? Does the federal gvt attract this type of personality? If so, what am I doing here?
You all would get a kick out of some of the people that work here. Some of the most boring, shallow people I've ever met.
As an example: I related the story of a mountain bike accident I once had (where I ripped some shoulder tendons/ligaments) to some co-workers. I stated that I couldn't wait to get back on the bike and do some riding. The co-workers looked at me as if I had 3 heads! They couldn't understand how I could like something which was inherently dangerous.
They couldn't relate to the fact that the "fun-factor" was inherently related to the "danger factor".
MAN THAT ATTITUDE PISSES ME OFF! WAKE UP PEOPLE! LIVE! HAVE FUN! YOU MIGHT NOT BE HERE TOMORROW! DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE!
I want to broadcast those words on every radio and TV station. What's the point of chasing the almighty dollar and living without a life? I really don't think God put us here for that.
Sorry for ranting and raving, but I just had to get it off my chest.
Lenny
 
BTW, Tom...since your orders dissappeared into the cosmos, my tnt was to come with a Sinn Watch . You remember, right?


My end was prepaid, I think you blew the money on new sandals or something like that.:p :p :p
 
I work in a Federal building in D.C. and we've had metal detectors for about 4 or 5 years. Enforcement is inconsistent. I've had a zytel Dragonfly and a SAK classic confiscated for the day. I also accidentally brought my Goddard lightweight to work one day and they also held that. Funny thing was, it was a different guard and he gave me much less grief than the guy who took the Dragonfly. I carry a Minimag, Leatherman Wave and a zytel Dragonfly in a clip on pouch. We used to just empty our pockets on the table and I never had a problem with this arrangement. Now we have to empty our pockets into a little basket and run that through the x-ray machine. So far so good. I went to the credit union in a different building and the guard there would not let take the Leatherman in. What really irritates me is that they hassle the Federal workers, who all underwent a background check when they were hired but they let the phone guys and copier repairmen in with all kinds of potentially lethal tools. They let a plant care woman in the other day with a pair of pruners that could hve easily been seperated into a couple of rahter nasty daggers. I just don't understand the logic that says if you are a Fed its a "weapon" but if you are a contractor it is a tool.

phantom4
 
>MAN THAT ATTITUDE PISSES ME OFF! WAKE UP PEOPLE! LIVE! HAVE FUN! YOU MIGHT NOT BE HERE TOMORROW! DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE!
I want to broadcast those words on every radio and TV station. What's the point of chasing the almighty dollar and living without a life? I really don't think God put us here for that.

=====================================

Amen, brother! I definitely like your attitude. Problem with broadcasting these wise words on the tube is that the people who will hear 'em are the very ones most likely to remain glued to the couch. :rolleyes: Gotta love the ones who sit at the TV watching 12 hours of "news" coverage of the 9/11 attacks per day, and then say things like "Man, we could all be gone tomorrow just like <i>that</i>. You just don't know." True, so get off the couch and DO SOMETHING! Make the most of your time here.
 
I work in a lab that is separate from the main office of our regional EPA headquarters. I daily carry almost anything. My main carry is my LCC D/A. Recently I've been carrying a 5" fixed blade around.

I actually enjoy bringing in my new acquisitions, as there are at least 5 people who want to see my new knife. One guy regularly brings in his newest Randall, and we know that those are over 2.5" Everyone here knows that I'm a knife nut, and no one questions it anymore.

In response to the idea that Gov't workers tend to be Fuddy Duddies, who don't enjoy life, we have three people who raise and ride, and show horses, my manager just recently took a cross-country trip on his BMW motorcycle after breaking his arm on his dirt-bike last year(he's 52), and the girl in the office next to mine brings in home-made deer sausage from the one she shot last year. One guy is building his own home on a mountain side in New Mexico. We have three avid fly fishermen, and one person with a private pilots license, and one mad Cuban who shares his hand-roled Cuban cigars with me. Now, this is the laboratory. I really don't know much about the main office.

We do have a security guard at the front desk, now, but we all come in the back door anyway. I guess I'm really lucky. I just don't plan on going to the main office any time soon.

DD.

P.S. Did I mention that I love my job?
 
I've worked for the army for years and never knew
there was a blade length limit until about 3 months
ago. I carry what I usually carry, a small pocket
lockback about 2 1/4" blade, mainly because I didn't
want a large knife in my pocket. Have a 3 1/2" cheap
lockback knife in my trunk somewhere along with
miscellaneous wrenches, tools, etc.
 
Hi. First, let me start this by pointing out that there is no 2 1/2" limit on knives in federal buildings. No such animal, doesn't exist.

The applicable statute is 18 U.S.C. sec. 930, which prohibits carrying a dangerous weapon in a federal facility. And then goes on to specifically exclude a pocketknife with a blade of less than 2 1/2" from the category of dangerous weapon. Not a limit -- an exemption. Technically speaking, any knife carried for lawful purpose is legal to carry in a federal facility. Please note, however, that judges are allowed to make their own rules for federal courthouses.

That said, I'm with the Veterans Administration and I work in the federal building in Roanoke, VA. Employees do not have to go through the metal detector. Normally, I carry a CF Lancet around the office; also either a Black & Tan Persian, or Spyderco Toad, or some other completely-within-the-exemption knife, just in case.

However, this week I'm in Baltimore, working at the federal building there. Every employee goes through the metal detector and their stuff through the x-ray. Maybe the guards have read and understand the statute. Maybe not. I'm not taking any chances. My only carry in the office is an aluminum Cricket, since it doesn't have a knife profile when it passes through the x-ray machine in my bag. Should they somehow detect it, I can still point to the law and show that I have not broken any law since the blade is well under 2 1/2"; the most they can do is make me check it with them for the day.

When I'm inside, I can then transfer it to my pocket where it belongs.
 
You can use whatever term you choose, fact is, it was made clear, lay low. I pick and choose my battles when it comes to this sort of thing. I cannot justify arguing "why can't I bring a bigger knife". The logical response would be "why would you need it"?
I concur...why would I?

I have had enough grief over this. I am outspoken enough on other issues at work.I am comfortable abiding by the "exemption".

Thankyou for the clarification, though.:)
 
guess i'm one of Those Maintenance guys. I'm in the Army and work as a Medical Equipment Repairman. in my shop thre are about three of us that carry knives although i have the most by far and i'm the only one that carries two. I have a Spyderco Harpy and a Kershaw Boa that i carry on a regular basis at work and everyone pretty much thinks that they are cool. when I'm out of the shop I don't bring them out unless I really need to but i refuse to wear a leatherman and use that blade. I have found that the Leatherman(gerber,SOG whatever) makes far too much work because they will strip pretty much anything i'm working on. I use the right tool for the right job and many times the right tool is my Harpy. My Boss understands that and my co workers agree and say "damn that is a cool knife":D
 
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