Grey area: Is it concealed?

A

AfterTFD

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Does anyone know about how much of a knife must be visible for it to be considered either concealed or in the open? For example, if only the handle and half an inch of the blade is exposed is the knife considered concealed? I'm in Iowa, but information about any other states instead/as well would also be appreciated.

Mainly I'm wondering if an objective standard exists or if it's up to whichever cop happens to be there.
 
the problem with an objective standard is the variation in size, shape, sheath, etc.

in general, open carry indicates no part of the item is concealed except by a sheath/holster. a sheath or holster is a universally recognized carry method for a gun or knife.

i think the question becomes the intent of the individual.

a folder clipped in a pocket and partially visible is arguable concealed.

the same situation where the wearer covers their pocket with a large shirt or coat is definitely concealed. but if the shirt or coat rides up and exposes the knife, is it still concealed? i think i would depend largely on the investigating agent.


i dont think there is a simple answer that can explain all the possibilities.

btw, im in california.
 
It differs for each state, just like all knife laws do. However sometimes states leave what constitutes concealment ambiguous. I have found this to be the biggest problem in determining knife carry legality. To remain completely safe I will usually only carry within the limits of concealment and only carry blades when they can and are fully concealed.

It does not seem that Iowa State laws clearly defines concealment.
 
Texas law doesn't mention concealment at all. I honestly don't see why it's even an issue. If you are one of those people who cower at the sight of a knife in a sheath, then the problem is you and not the person with the knife.
 
joe-bob said:
I honestly don't see why it's even an issue.
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Then I'll be more straightforward. I want to know if carrying a knife with only the handle visible (and visible at all times) could be counted as carrying the knife concealed. Assume the handle and sheath are in a pocket. If this is legal then it makes a lot more sense to me than carrying a big knife around with the entire sheath exposed, which some people do.
 
The definition of "concealed" varies state-to-state. And unfortunately, in many cases, it's not defined at all.

If the law doesn't provide a definition, go with the dictionary. My interpretation is that if it's even partially visible by casual observance, it's not concealed. For example, in AZ, if you have a handgun IWB, but your shirt is tucked in and the grip is sticking out, it's not concealed. Or, if it's carried OWB, shirt is untucked, but the bottom of the holster is visible, it's not concealed. So in AZ, I would infer the same follows for knives. Ie: if the clip of a folder in a pocket is visible, or the handle of a fixed blade, then it's not concealed.

Sorry, but I can't find any info on the definition of "concealed" in Iowa.
 
In New York City, knives must be carried concealed, and if the clip (or any other part of the knife) is visible, it is not concealed.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
In New York City, knives must be carried concealed, and if the clip (or any other part of the knife) is visible, it is not concealed.
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That's always struck me as odd. But I guess most states that allow CCW firearms don't allow open carry, and penalize for incomplete concealment, accidental uncovering, or even printing. But there's states that allow open and prohibit concealed carry of certain knives. NYC is the only place I'm aware of (in the US) that requires concealment of knives.

Makes you wonder what all these various law-makers are thinking. Do they prefer the illusion of safety (by having all weapons concealed from the eyes of people who would freak out if they saw them), or do they think knowing who's packing what is safer?

Of course, we all know the true answer, but certain laws are never based on reality, only ignorance and illusions.
 
Planterz said:
Of course, we all know the true answer, but certain laws are never based on reality, only ignorance and illusions.
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Of course. Laws regulating objects rather than behavior will always be subjective and erratic, being based on emotional reactions, not on actual results.

The disparity among laws in overlapping jurisdictions may even be intended to simply scare people off trying to figure them out.
 
The NYC law dates back to the Koch Administration, when leather knife pouches and fixed blades in belt sheaths could be leagally carried. Our often drunk Police Comm. at the time, out of town Brown, pressed the city council to pass the 4" size restriction and to make it a requirement that knives not be displayed when carried. This was meant to stop the clearly open display, as back then there were only a handful of knives with a pocket clip being made, and I do believe the law was not intended to ban a pocket clip being displayed, but if nothing else the NYPD is creative in their reading and enforcement of the law.....
 
I know it might be off topic, but I just found this article on the net. Although I live in Serbia, I know that US constitution and the bill of rights guarantee its citizens the right to bear arms. So what's this? Is US becoming a Stalinist like police state?

"Boston police officials, surprised by intense opposition from residents, have significantly scaled back and delayed the start of a program that would allow officers to go into people's homes and search for guns without a warrant."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/03/25/police_limit_searches_for_guns/
 
fatish, going into people's homes to search for guns or anything else without a warrant is expressly forbidden by the Constitution. That doesn't stop some jurisdictions from trying to push the law farther than they know they should. It is up to the citizenry to be aware of our rights, and to protest violations like this. As we say, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

Boston happens to be one of those jurisdictions where the benevolent government feels it knows what's best. It's a cultural problem more prevalent in densely populated urban areas.
 
Each State has its own laws and they may vary from county to county.
Some states have a Concealed Weapon Perimt, CWP that applies to both guns and knives. Here in Oregon we have a Concealed Handgun License, CHL that only applies to handguns and nothing else. You can carry any knife you want with the exception that switchblades and balisongs must not be concealed. The Statute does not define concealed, case law does. The clip or sheath must be visible. So yes, I must hide my handgun, but not my knife.
 
Hawaiian said:
Each State has its own laws and they may vary from county to county.
Some states have a Concealed Weapon Perimt, CWP that applies to both guns and knives. Here in Oregon we have a Concealed Handgun License, CHL that only applies to handguns and nothing else. You can carry any knife you want with the exception that switchblades and balisongs must not be concealed. The Statute does not define concealed, case law does. The clip or sheath must be visible. So yes, I must hide my handgun, but not my knife.
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Great law. I firmly believe that if everybody's armed, the crime rate is lower.
Coz if you buy a gun on a black market, you know you're the only one around carrying and you'll become trigger happy.
In Serbia it's forbiden to carry anything, including knives, batons, brass knuckles, tasers, maces...
And the crime rate is up high!
 
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