Help define concealed in Alabama

R

R.H.Clark

Joined
Aug 23, 2007
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I've read the Alabama law that prohibits carrying a concealed bowie or butcher knife 11" or more overall on your person.

Would this also pertain to a hunting-camping situation? I want to carry a 15" overall 10" blade camp knife while hunting-camping in the national forest.I would most likely never even see anyone else and I don't think I would have a problem with any game officials.Is it possible though that a ,"Barney Fife",would arrest me?
 
Maybe I'm missing something, but why would you want to conceal it in that situation? I think that as a genaral matter, having it suspended from your belt and not covered by your clothing would not be concealed (although I cnfess I don't know anything about Alabama law), and that seems like how you would want it for camping/hunting/fishing purposes anyway.
 
acourvil
Maby I wasn't too clear.I would have it on my belt probably most of the time.It might or might not be covered with a jacket depending on the weather.It could possibly be carried in a pack though or in my truck while traveling to and from.

Maby I'm being too cautious.Just wondered if any of these situations could be considered concealed.I do realize the spirit of the law is talking about the guy on the street.I don't really think I would have any problem unless I was breaking the law in some other way.
 
O.k., I understand. Again, I can't claim to know anything about Alabama law, but usually the "concealed" restrictions are tied to the knife being readily accessible. Most of the time, I think this means that being tucked away in a backpack or in a vehicle would not be a problem (assuming that it's not tucked away in a place that makes it readily accessible). I've heard different things about a shirt over a knife carried on your belt. I think most of the time, if you can see enough to identify it (which I think would usually be the case with an 11" bowie) it is not concealed. But like everything else, you ar at the mercy of the law enforcement officer. However, I have trouble thinking that carrying a hunting knife in a campground or in the woods would be likely to get you into trouble so long as you only take it out when you have legitimate use for it as a tool.
 
As I understand it their was a court decision that an 11" Butcher knife is equivalent to a Bowie. That doesnt mean that a knife less than 11" isnt a Bowie.

Bowie is not defined in Alabama Law that I can find. The only other decision that I can find on that states that a "folding lock-blade" is not a Bowie.

As near as I can find out its up to the Judge to decide what constitutes a Bowie or Equivalent.
 
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