Florida knife laws

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willvest98

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Mar 10, 2012
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When I go on vacation I want to know what the blade length is that I can legally carry. Does anyone know what the laws are in Floridia?
 
No specific length that I know of. The law reads that any knife other than an "ordinary pocket knife, plastic knife or blunt bladed table knife" is a weapon and requires a concealed permit. So I would leave the autos, balisongs, etc at home. If you have a concealed carry permit from a state that is reciprocated by FL just about anything that can be concealed is ok.
 
Hi Will, I have lived in Florida for 18 years, my oldest is going into the police academy shortly, one of my customers is a former a.d.a. & with all of this the law is confusing. If you have a c.c.w. anything within reason is o.k. If not you would be suprised at the lack of knowledge among " the experts". I have allways followed common sense. For example I am 55 years old so cops in general don"t view me the same on their radar as a group of younger people. If you are vacationing here follow your common sense and carry something more utility & less mall ninja & you will be fine. Explaining a spyderco delica to a cop is a lot easier than a cold steel 6" voyager for example. Hope this helps & have a great vacation, Andy.
 
You can carry darn near anything unconcealed.
 
That only applies to CONCEALED carry. The only problem that people have rub into is that some of the judges in the more liberal areas of the state have tried to rule that a "tactical" folder that locked scary was not "common pocket knife".
Bigfatts said:
No specific length that I know of. The law reads that any knife other than an "ordinary pocket knife, plastic knife or blunt bladed table knife" is a weapon and requires a concealed permit. So I would leave the autos, balisongs, etc at home. If you have a concealed carry permit from a state that is reciprocated by FL just about anything that can be concealed is ok.
Click to expand...
 
That is true. But if it's in your pocket I would consider it concealed. Interpretation as to the weapon status of any particular knife is more or less up to the cop you're talking to or, God forbid, the judge you end up in front of. The law is very vague. I have lived in FL for all of my 26 years and Have heard some real silliness thrown around as "law." Best bet is to look up the laws on your own.
 
this belongs in the "knife laws" forums, you should email a mod and ask nicely for them to move it for you.

only thing illegal in florida is ballistic knives. all other knives are legal to carry unconcealed. concealed, with a ccw all other knives are legal to carry. but............

that is state law and each county and city may or may not have their own ordinances. you need to verify which counties and cities you'll be in and then place calls to the local police/sheriff offices of each jurisidiction to verify what they consider legal by their ordinances.

there is a law being worked on by florida carry and knife rights to have a one set of rules in florida knife law to be the end all be all, much like the one set of guns rule in florida that passed last year or so......but as far as i know it hasn't passed yet(as this is being written, not 10 years from now when someone googles this)?

on pocket/folding knives....there is some case law on 4" and under being considered concealed without a ccw as legal to carry. it's not real firm, but it is there. so for folding knives 4" and under in your pocket without a ccw is legal.


now the disclaimer...i am not an attorney. this advice is not legal advice and shouldn't be taken as such. always do your own reading and verifying laws with the appropriate authorities.
 
Bigfatts said:
That is true. But if it's in your pocket I would consider it concealed. Interpretation as to the weapon status of any particular knife is more or less up to the cop you're talking to or, God forbid, the judge you end up in front of. The law is very vague. I have lived in FL for all of my 26 years and Have heard some real silliness thrown around as "law." Best bet is to look up the laws on your own.
Click to expand...

yes, Sir that is the truth there on the deputies and judges.
 
So pocket would probably be considered as consealed? My knifes will have clipped and part of the knifes will be sticking out. I don't know if that will make a difrence. And jbmonkey is that a 4in blade or knife over all?
 
as others have said there is case law in florida to suggest a folder under 4 inches is considered an average pocket knife and can be concealed.
Florida also has no open carry law against knives of any kind so you can get away with carrying just about anothing openly and its not uncommon to
see large folders and fix blades on peoples belts in florida. as far as "in the pocket" it would depend on the officer that stops you..although almost every police
officer i have spoken with says if they can see a clip in your pocket they almost always assume its a knife and thus its openly displayed.
as long as you dont hide the clip in a long shirt or stick it in your pocket without a clip you should be fine.
so all in all. you can carry a folder of under 4 inches [perferably a non scary looking one] concealed and just about anything you want on your belt of on a clip.
as long as you use common sense i wouldn't worry to much.
 
willvest98 said:
So pocket would probably be considered as consealed? My knifes will have clipped and part of the knifes will be sticking out. I don't know if that will make a difrence. And jbmonkey is that a 4in blade or knife over all?
Click to expand...

Yes pocket would be concelead clipped to pocket and top sticking out or not.....unless it is under 4" blade which fall into "ordinary pocket knife".

Its the blade length....4" and under fall into ordinary pocket knife status....but mind you and I can't say this enough....city and county ordinances overrule state laws. State law means nothing if the city says no folding knives over 3" or whatever..........call the policing departmets of the cities you'll be in and the county sheriffs office and see what ordinances are on the books that are more stringent than state laws and will can get you in a heep of trouble.

Same disclaimer as before..I'm no lawyer. My advice is not legal counsel and always read the laws yoursef. Also have fun while your here. Welcome to florida and thanks for coming down and spending your money.;)
 
I would check county ordinances for the county you are visiting. I have checked several and it really varies.
 
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