Florida knife laws and minors

[The3rdnut]

hello, i am 16 years old and i have the kershaw leek. my dad got it for me as a present after he retired from the army. i was wondering if i can LEGALLY carry it with the pocket clip showing in my pocket. it is only a 3 inch knife, and it is the standard silver. the knife will be clipped in my pocket, and the clip will be visible. i have read the florida knife laws, but it says common pocket knife. i am not using this knife as a weapon/self defence object. i am going to be driving soon, and a standard swiss army knife cannot be opened with one hand, and it would struggle cutting through my seatbelt if i got into a car accident. the knife laws say you cannot sell a knife to a minor WITHOUT parental acceptance, but my dad gave it to me. i understand that i cannot have it concealled, but can i open carry it? the laws never mention if there is an age limit on carrying knifes. i do not have malicious intent, and i am a great student with a 3.7 GPA. the only reason i will use this knife is in emergencies, such as a flipped car and the seat belt is stuck, and to open boxes and things at my job. i am also not threatening looking, if that helps. i wear glasses and dont "sag" my pants. i even sometimes wear a belt. i have never gotten into trouble in my life with the law. please help me understand the florida knife laws for a minor.

 

[jbmonkey]

Florida state law statue 790.17 and I am paraphrasing...giving any minor a weapon or dirk other than a ordinary pocket knife without permission of the minors guardian is illegal and commiting a felony.

I suggest you do a google search or 790.17 and read it in full yourself. I also suggest you read the florida legal definition defined by case law of what a common or ordinary pocket knife is. This info is easily found and while asking on these types of forums is a good place to start. When it comes to legal matters which if given bad advice online and can earn you a potential felony record and strip you of your rights to own firearms and vote, etc.....its not worth the risk to not read and understand the laws yourself. I only tell you this for your own good and because you are a minor.

Case law defines a comon pocket knife loosely as a 4"or smaller blade folding knife. I found no mention of minors carrying one as illegal, but it could be there? Also concelaed is without a ccw permit and larger than 4" blde when it comes to folders.......but again I looked but so no mention about minors in the laws. Best to have your mom or dad call the local sheriffs office and see what they say and maybe also your city and county reps. After all they work for you. Ill bet they have no idea and keep referring your parents to other govt agencies and no one will commit to a decision other than saying refer t a weapons law lawyer. I know thisfirst hand cause I have tried numerous times.

That said, keep in mind state laws are one thing, but county and city ordinances are another and they superceed state laws on knives at this time as I write this post. Hopefully that will change in the future. Until then read up on all the city and county ordinances of where you live and enter and exit and plan on going
During your normal life pattern.

If this sounds like allot of work and headaches......you would be right, and this is a nice civics lesson of how govt likes to work and bombard you with so many laws at any point they can turn you into a criminal. Welcome to the life of big govt...and its not just the federal that pumps out the legislation...your state and local reps are busy too trying to make following the law about impossible.

Lastly, I am no lawyer.......always talk to your parents and have them seek legal advise on your behalf. Never ever believe someone on the internet forums about the law. Its your neck if you get bad advise and follow it. Nothing I write is intended to be legal advise and shouldn't be taken as such. Hope I was clear enough?

 

[OhShoot]

Florida state law statue 790.17 and I am paraphrasing...giving any minor a weapon or dirk other than a ordinary pocket knife without permission of the minors guardian is illegal and commiting a felony...

To be precise, knife is 1st degree misdemeanor, firearm is 3rd degree felony.

- OS

 

[TOM1960]

hello, i am 16 years old and i have the kershaw leek. my dad got it for me as a present after he retired from the army. i was wondering if i can LEGALLY carry it with the pocket clip showing in my pocket. it is only a 3 inch knife, and it is the standard silver. the knife will be clipped in my pocket, and the clip will be visible. i have read the florida knife laws, but it says common pocket knife. i am not using this knife as a weapon/self defence object. i am going to be driving soon, and a standard swiss army knife cannot be opened with one hand, and it would struggle cutting through my seatbelt if i got into a car accident. the knife laws say you cannot sell a knife to a minor WITHOUT parental acceptance, but my dad gave it to me. i understand that i cannot have it concealled, but can i open carry it? the laws never mention if there is an age limit on carrying knifes. i do not have malicious intent, and i am a great student with a 3.7 GPA. the only reason i will use this knife is in emergencies, such as a flipped car and the seat belt is stuck, and to open boxes and things at my job. i am also not threatening looking, if that helps. i wear glasses and dont "sag" my pants. i even sometimes wear a belt. i have never gotten into trouble in my life with the law. please help me understand the florida knife laws for a minor.

I checked FL law regarding concealed knives before I went there on vacation a few years ago. FL courts have determined that a folding knife with a blade of 4" or less is a "common pocket knife". A 4" folder is a substantial knife; plenty of cutting power while still comfortably concealable. I carry a 4" lockblade folder on a daily basis and have done so for 34 years. I never felt the need for anything larger. If you are new to carrying, make sure your folder is well-concealed. Check yourself in front of a full-length mirror if necessary. Go for deep pocket carry and do not use the pocket clip. The less LEOs see, the better, especially for someone your age. Do not under any circumstances bring it to school or onto any school property, courthouses, or any other government building. Use your head and be careful.

 

[elijames21]

That sucks. I go into stores and buy my own knives. I'm 14, however i look like i could be 18. Just only break one law at a time and you'll be fine.