Going to D.C. this weekend - advice on knives and gear

Starfish

Starfish

Joined
Jun 14, 2001
Messages
1,256
Hi all,

I'm heading up to D.C. this weekend for a business trip/family vacation, and would like some advice on carrying knives and gear. I want to make sure that I don't end up having to give up anything in order to not be separated from the family.

The items I plan to bring are a SAK with a blade less than 2.5" and a Surefire E2e light. Can I expect any hassle for either of these items?

I realize that the knife can't be carried on the plane, but will I be hassled about the light?

Thanks for your help,

Matthew
 
As long as you can turn on the flashlight you probably won't have problems with it. On the other hand I'd be happier in DC with a gun in my pocket. Here's an interesting website where you can compare the crime rate of the place that you are going to places you have been:
http://www.bestplaces.net/crime/

The murder rate in DC is 10x the rate where I live.
 
The flashlight won't be a problem. At the most, you may be asked to open the battery compartmentat some government or federal building. The SAK may be fine depending where you go. If a building has a 'no knife' policy, keep it in the car. Those buildings are now sports arenas, museums, metro trains (who are getting tough with even minor infractions) and even dc public libraries.

If you plan on being near the White House, Captial Building, etc., best to leave it in the car. Some security personnel may see it and confiscate it.

The main thing is to be discreet with use. There's a lot of sheeple around there. Hope this helps.
 
The advice being offered here is quite good---watch yourself in D.C. with anything that can cut, but the light should be fine. I had to go into the Pentagon once and lost a little Spyderco I was carrying. No amount of "I have a security clearance!!!!" got it back. :rolleyes:
 
This is a real double edged situation. In DC proper where most tourists go securtiy is REAL TIGHT. You could even lose an SAK but you and the family are real safe. Outside of DC, or DC at night, as the man said, the crime rate is off the scale and you really need a Strider or better a Glock. Plan accordingly.
 
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The legal maximum blade length in DC is 3" and it must be a folding pocket knife. Federal law saus that you may not bring dangerous or deadly weapons into federal buildings unless you are a law enforcement officer carrying such in discharge of your duty. But the law then goes on to define a pocket knife with a blade of less than 2.5" as not being a dangerous or deadly weapon, thereby making it legal. Please see 18USC930 in this regard. The Smithsonian Institution museum complex is federal, but seems to operate on its own set of rules, so I cannot speak to how they will react. I can say that the last time that I was there, about 2.5 years ago, they allowed my SOG Crosscut Minitool which has a 1 5/8" blade. On the whole, I would suggest not carrying any bladed objects at any of the tourist spots, just to be on the safe side. I would especially not carry any at the White House, the U.S. Capitol and the Congressional office buildings, the Supreme Court, or the Library of Congress.

All of the above said, I work in a federal building and travel to and from it on METRO every day carrying a folder with a blade of less than 2.5" visibly clipped to my pocket as well as the previously mentioned minitool. The METRO police have seen me using the minitool and never so much as asked me about it. The Smithsonian security people two years ago wanted to know where to get one.

Carrying a firearm in DC is very strictly illegal and will land you in a world of trouble if you are caught with it. Virginia allows visible carry, but requires a permit for concealed carry. I cannot speak for Maryland.
 
Thanks all for the replies. Sounds like my flashlight would be OK everywhere.

Perhaps I'll have to find a small multitool to take with me in lieu of the SAK when we head out for sightseeing, since most of our time will be spent at the various Smithsonium museums and the like.

Thanks again,

Matthew
 
Matthew, please do remember that my experience with the SOG Crosscut, while post-9/11, was 2 1/2 years ago and things do change. The Smithsonian is a federally operated institution with its own board of governors, etc., so I am not entirely certain if 18USC930 applies to them.
 
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