GA knife laws?

[Infi-del]

Atlanta. What are their views there?

I live near Atlanta. Cobb County Cops are douche bags. But they also have to put up with some of the worst people in Atlanta. They may give you some trouble if they catch you with a large pocket knife. Gwinnette County guys are pretty strict from my experience but unless you're causing a problem they'll leave ya alone. I hate to say it... but if you're white and dressed half way decent, they'll leave you alone. You pretty much only have to worry about answering for your knife if you're caught doing something else. Like a traffic stop or something.

 

[Infi-del]

Georgia has some rather strict laws but the authorities sort of turn a blind eye if you don't look like a potential "black hat" guy?

That's pretty much the way it works. But the rare dirt bag cop does reserve the right to "Confiscate" your knife based on the law. And it won't wind up in an evidence locker or storage room. The next day it'll be riding in his pocket. I try not to carry any weapon or tool that I can't stand to lose. Just got a $2K+ Ed Brown Custom 1911 not too long ago. Not gonna carry it simply because it would kill me to lose it. So never carry your prized collection piece. You may lose it one day.

 

[sidecutter]

I live near Atlanta. Cobb County Cops are douche bags. But they also have to put up with some of the worst people in Atlanta. They may give you some trouble if they catch you with a large pocket knife. Gwinnette County guys are pretty strict from my experience but unless you're causing a problem they'll leave ya alone. I hate to say it... but if you're white and dressed half way decent, they'll leave you alone. You pretty much only have to worry about answering for your knife if you're caught doing something else. Like a traffic stop or something.

you're right. cobb co. cops are the most corrupt in the country.

 

[cgmblade]

Hi Farmer Brown, I live in Georgia and must admit that the state knife laws as written are somewhat confusing. I believe that when these laws were being written that the main concern was with firearms and they just threw in knives without much thought.

Having said that, I generally edc a Delica, Native, Caly3 or similar knife. My job takes me all over the metro Atlanta area and I've never had a problem from the police. It's very common to see other men and even teenage boys with knives clipped in their pockets or on their belts (leatherman, Buck, etc). As others have said I suppose it could give an officer a pretext to hassle you if he were looking for a reason but generally typical pocket knives such as those I mentioned above should be okay.

Of course, local cities such as Atlanta are free to pass their own ordinances which could be more restrictive but again I've never had a problem.

Where knives will be a problem is at schools, courthouses, etc.

The part of Georgia law that creates the most confusion for citizens and cops is the line that says 'knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense'. Nowhere in the code is that defined but I did find one link that defines that as (swords, ballistic knives). The link is below. Hope you like Georgia.

http://georgiapacking.org/law.php

Strange as it might seem, I don't think Georgia's concealed carry permit applies to knives. So I guess that technically you could find yourself in a situation where it would be perfectly legal to carry a Glock but not a Buck.

 

[Infi-del]

you're right. cobb co. cops are the most corrupt in the country.

LOL, I never said that. But they are pricks. But they come buy it honestly. They have to tackle a Meth Head homeless guy trying to tear apart a street sign every single day. Lots of crazies hang out down town.

 

[Infi-del]

Nowhere in the code is that defined but I did find one link that defines that as (swords, ballistic knives).

The problem is that the definition will depend completely on the cop, lawyer, and judge in charge of charging you. It leave it up for debate. And unless you have tens of thousands of dollars to fight it in court it's kinda whatever the people in power want it to be. 50 years ago, everyone carried a knife in Georgia and it was never an issue. But in this new scared of terror over PC cops with too much power era... You can get in trouble for carrying something as simple as a case slip joint.

Strange as it might seem, I don't think Georgia's concealed carry permit applies to knives. So I guess that technically you could find yourself in a situation where it would be perfectly legal to carry a Glock but not a Buck.

That's exactly right. That's why I carry a simple multi-tool (nothing weapon like at all) and TWO firearms all the time. A fullsized and little baby gun as a BUG.

 

[Revolvergeek]

Seems like this would be perfect venue for a Spyderco Rescue or something of that sort since they weren't designed or marketed for offense nor defense, but rather emergency use.

 

[Farmer Brown]

Thanks for the info, guys.

I was really hoping to be entirely free of New England "prohibition."

 

[bdschwa]

a concealed carry liscense specificly includes the word knife...so regardless of size and auto or not u can conceal one on your person in ga depending on local ordaninces for instances its perfectly legal in augusta to conceal a blade on your person with a concealed weapons liscense

 

[TOM1960]

That's pretty much the way it works. But the rare dirt bag cop does reserve the right to "Confiscate" your knife based on the law. And it won't wind up in an evidence locker or storage room. The next day it'll be riding in his pocket. I try not to carry any weapon or tool that I can't stand to lose. Just got a $2K+ Ed Brown Custom 1911 not too long ago. Not gonna carry it simply because it would kill me to lose it. So never carry your prized collection piece. You may lose it one day.

Another possibility is the chance that you may have to use it in SD and then ditch it in a river, lake, storm drain, etc. Since knives do not have serial numbers, are not registered and are untraceable, ditching one after using it is definitely an option. It is a much better option than going to the police and running one's mouth like Mr. Bernhard Goetz did in NY back in 1984, which led to a felony weapons conviction and a huge lawsuit. This is why I carry a 4" CS Voyager. It is moderately priced, light weight, strong and very sharp. All that I could ever ask for in a EDC knife. If I have to use it and ditch it, I will not be out that much money.