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How important is local knife regulations to what you EDC?
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Both my knives are legal in my state. I do follow the laws whenever possible.
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- Aug 21, 2011
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I don't know what the laws are. I just carry what I want.
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I know that in Illinois I can carry whatever I want so long as I'm not using it as a weapon.
But then Chicago has a 2.5 inch blade length limit.
And there are a few municipalities that have 3" laws as well.
That being said, I've never had an issue but I try to keep my blade length under 4" if possible to deter attention from it.
Illinois is a great example of a state that needs a preemption law. In southern illinois you can carry whatever but living in the suburbs of Chicago I must be careful to stay within the limits of the law depending on where I go.
But then Chicago has a 2.5 inch blade length limit.
And there are a few municipalities that have 3" laws as well.
That being said, I've never had an issue but I try to keep my blade length under 4" if possible to deter attention from it.
Illinois is a great example of a state that needs a preemption law. In southern illinois you can carry whatever but living in the suburbs of Chicago I must be careful to stay within the limits of the law depending on where I go.
In Sweden we've got a rubber law stating that you can't carry anything that's meant to injure or harm another being (firearms and the like have their own law). It also states that the text in the first part doesn't apply if the object is meant for use in service (carpenter with a knife or a soldier with a bayonet), or if carrying can be justified due to the nature of the object and the needs of the user as well as other circumstances.
This means that a BM Minigrip would be legal unless you're drunk as a skunk in a city, it also means that carrying an empty glass bottle could count as breaking the law.
I abide to the law, but lately people have been interpreting the law according to the first part of the first paragraph that states that knifes and the like are illegal and they don't read the following parts that explains the exceptions to the law.
This means that a BM Minigrip would be legal unless you're drunk as a skunk in a city, it also means that carrying an empty glass bottle could count as breaking the law.
I abide to the law, but lately people have been interpreting the law according to the first part of the first paragraph that states that knifes and the like are illegal and they don't read the following parts that explains the exceptions to the law.
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- Nov 20, 2005
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- 19,385
I had always thought the legal blade limit in TN was 3". It turns out, I believe it was 4" when the law was changed to allow any blade length or design. So, I guess I really didn't know what was legal other than balisongs, daggers, and switch blades were not legal to carry prior to the law change. I have little desire to carry one of these designs now even with the law change. I try to make reasonable choices.
My regular carries generally fell within the 3" limit and I'm not going to change with the law change. I rountinely travel to GA, AL, KY, and NC and I really don't know what the law is in those places. I don't carry a knife with the "intent to be armed" and never did. My primary carry knife is a SAK. Only the ZT exceeds 3" blade length. If I ran into a legal problem, I suspect the blade length would be the least of my worries.
My regular carries generally fell within the 3" limit and I'm not going to change with the law change. I rountinely travel to GA, AL, KY, and NC and I really don't know what the law is in those places. I don't carry a knife with the "intent to be armed" and never did. My primary carry knife is a SAK. Only the ZT exceeds 3" blade length. If I ran into a legal problem, I suspect the blade length would be the least of my worries.
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- Apr 12, 2012
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- 1,668
I've tried to find anything on the internet at all about length laws in my area and as far as I'm concerned there are none. I just carry what I want to, but I don't carry anything over 4 inches just because I don't need to. I do however try to keep blade length at or near 2.5 inches when I go to Akron or Cleveland I usually just carry either my Dragonfly or a small Swiss Army Knife.
I am more careful when in NYC because I have been stopped. On one occasion I had a kershaw oso confiscated. On another the cop tried to flick open a buck, but couldn't so he have it back. I just edc a delica deep carry when in the city. In jersey I am not too nervous.
james terrio
Sharpest Knife in the Light Socket
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- Apr 15, 2010
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- 22,618
I do my best to be aware of and follow applicable laws. Luckily for me it's not really an issue because both in my homestate of WI and here in TN I can legally carry pretty much any knife I want, except in certain specific places (gov't buildings, private businesses that have their own restrictions, some parks, etc).
Please join me in supporting KnifeRights and AKTI
Please join me in supporting KnifeRights and AKTI
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- Oct 3, 2010
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- 1,272
Nope.
The length of the blade on my knife is not something I've ever worried about, anywhere.
The length of the blade on my knife is not something I've ever worried about, anywhere.
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2012
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- 215
I see several of my fellow Tennesseans have already commented to our situation here. Starting July 1st all knife laws were made null and void and we are free to carry whatever we want . However most of us have 4" or less edc blades and are comfortable with them so it doesnt really change anything. As for me, now I have started rotating my benchmade infidel and 62 balisong into service just so I can show them to customers at work.
Individual perception is an interesting thing. Even though many people act in ways that violate the law, they don't think of themselves as "criminals". But the fact is, if the knife a person carries violates the letter of the law, then that person is committing a crime, and in the eyes of the law, that person is indeed a "criminal".
Just because WE think knife laws are silly and stupid, doesn't mean they won't be enforced. Nor does it mean that prosecutors won't prosecute to the full extent of the law. To us a pocket knife might be a simple, harmless tool, but a cop or prosecutor might look upon it as a "deadly weapon". In court, how WE define our knives is meaningless compared to how the prosecutor, and the letter of the law, defines our knives. We can say "it's just a tool", but if the knife meets the legal definition of a "deadly weapon", then that is how it will be perceived in court.
Whether or not an individual cop on the street arrests a person for carrying an illegal knife is up to that individual cop. All cops are different, some couldn't care less if your knife violates the letter of the law, but some might. The fact is, if you are carrying a knife that violates the letter of the law, you are giving any LEO who discovers your illegal knife a justifiable reason to arrest you. I have no trouble believing that most cops would let a respectable person slide for carrying an illegal knife, but it's still a gamble. It only takes one cop to decide to arrest you and take you to jail. It could be a rookie looking to impress their superiors, or some a-hole cop who looks for any reason to make an arrest, or a cop who doesn't like people carrying knives, or maybe just a cop who chooses to follow the letter of the law. Personally, I would prefer not to give LEO's any legal grounds to arrest me.
For anyone who thinks that an arrest for carrying an illegal knife is an insignificant matter with minor and laughable consequences, let me paint a picture of what can happen if you are arrested, and maybe convicted, of a "weapons" offense. And that's exactly what it would be- a weapons offense. You're not going to be charged with "possession of a tool", you're going to be charged with "possession of a deadly weapon".
If you are arrested you will be taken to jail, and believe me, jail is not set up for your convenience. Even if you can afford to make bail, you could be there all day waiting for the process to be completed. And depending on the time of your arrest, you might even have to spend the night (how much work can you afford to lose?). Bail can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars. If you use a bail bondsman, you, or someone else, will have to give the bondsman an average of ten percent of the overall bail amount in cash, AND sign over collateral equal to the remainder of the bail amount (house, car, etc). The cash you give a bondsman is NOT REFUNDABLE, you will never get that money back. Can you afford bail? Can you provide collateral?
Can you afford a lawyer? Or are you going with a public defender?
If you can't make bail you might sit in jail for several months while your case slowly works it's way through the criminal justice system. Just like jail, the justice system does not operate for your convenience. How long can you sit in jail before you lose your job? If you aren't working, who will pay your rent, your mortgage, support your family, etc, etc? I knew guys in jail who lost their apartments while they were in jail and the landlord put all of their property on the street, while they sat in jail.
If you are convicted, even if you don't get more jail time, here's what can happen (even if it's a misdemeanor conviction)- You will very likely be required to pay thousands of dollars in fines and court costs. You will very likely be put on probation for multiple years (details of probation might vary from one state to another. here's what it's like in CA). And if you think probation is nothing, just a slap on the wrist, keep reading, because when you are on probation for a "weapons conviction" you will lose your right to possess ANY weapons, and that includes guns and non-essential knives ("essential" being kitchen knives). All non-essential knives would have to be removed from any area accessible to you. You would be required to either transfer ownership of any guns you own over to someone else who may legally possess firearms (not someone who lives in the same residence as you, the guns cannot be accessible to you in any way), or, if you don't have someone you can transfer ownership to, you will have to surrender them to the cops (if the guns are registered, the cops will know what guns you have). Of course, if you are convicted of a felony, then you will lose your 2nd amendment rights altogether.
While on probation, you will lose your 4th amendment rights (it's an automatic condition of probation). This means that you can be stopped and searched on the street by any cop, at any time, and without probable cause. Also, it means that the cops can enter and search your residence anytime they want without a warrant. And a conviction on a "weapons" charge might very well put you on the list for regular home searches by your probation officer.
While on probation you would not be allowed to leave your county or state without receiving permission from your probation officer. And to add to the expense of the whole matter, you would be required to pay probation fees.
And if you violate the terms of your probation in any way, like if you get caught in possession of a non-essential knife, you can be sent back to jail.
If you have a criminal conviction, getting that job you want might be difficult. Getting ANY job might be difficult (perspective employers might not want to hire someone with a "weapons" conviction). Getting into the military might be difficult with a criminal record.
And just think, all of that is very possible just for carrying a knife that violates the letter of the law. Just because you don't think you are committing a crime, don't assume that cops, and prosecutors will share your point of view (prosecutors love to get "weapons" convictions). You might get lucky, and a cop on the street might let you slide, but that's a hell of a gamble to take. We might look upon a knife as a "tool", but many in our society (including many with real power) might look upon a knife as a "deadly weapon".
Fortunately for me, where I live in San Diego, the knife laws are very permissive, so I can carry what I want in the manner I want and it's all legal.
Just because WE think knife laws are silly and stupid, doesn't mean they won't be enforced. Nor does it mean that prosecutors won't prosecute to the full extent of the law. To us a pocket knife might be a simple, harmless tool, but a cop or prosecutor might look upon it as a "deadly weapon". In court, how WE define our knives is meaningless compared to how the prosecutor, and the letter of the law, defines our knives. We can say "it's just a tool", but if the knife meets the legal definition of a "deadly weapon", then that is how it will be perceived in court.
Whether or not an individual cop on the street arrests a person for carrying an illegal knife is up to that individual cop. All cops are different, some couldn't care less if your knife violates the letter of the law, but some might. The fact is, if you are carrying a knife that violates the letter of the law, you are giving any LEO who discovers your illegal knife a justifiable reason to arrest you. I have no trouble believing that most cops would let a respectable person slide for carrying an illegal knife, but it's still a gamble. It only takes one cop to decide to arrest you and take you to jail. It could be a rookie looking to impress their superiors, or some a-hole cop who looks for any reason to make an arrest, or a cop who doesn't like people carrying knives, or maybe just a cop who chooses to follow the letter of the law. Personally, I would prefer not to give LEO's any legal grounds to arrest me.
For anyone who thinks that an arrest for carrying an illegal knife is an insignificant matter with minor and laughable consequences, let me paint a picture of what can happen if you are arrested, and maybe convicted, of a "weapons" offense. And that's exactly what it would be- a weapons offense. You're not going to be charged with "possession of a tool", you're going to be charged with "possession of a deadly weapon".
If you are arrested you will be taken to jail, and believe me, jail is not set up for your convenience. Even if you can afford to make bail, you could be there all day waiting for the process to be completed. And depending on the time of your arrest, you might even have to spend the night (how much work can you afford to lose?). Bail can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars. If you use a bail bondsman, you, or someone else, will have to give the bondsman an average of ten percent of the overall bail amount in cash, AND sign over collateral equal to the remainder of the bail amount (house, car, etc). The cash you give a bondsman is NOT REFUNDABLE, you will never get that money back. Can you afford bail? Can you provide collateral?
Can you afford a lawyer? Or are you going with a public defender?
If you can't make bail you might sit in jail for several months while your case slowly works it's way through the criminal justice system. Just like jail, the justice system does not operate for your convenience. How long can you sit in jail before you lose your job? If you aren't working, who will pay your rent, your mortgage, support your family, etc, etc? I knew guys in jail who lost their apartments while they were in jail and the landlord put all of their property on the street, while they sat in jail.
If you are convicted, even if you don't get more jail time, here's what can happen (even if it's a misdemeanor conviction)- You will very likely be required to pay thousands of dollars in fines and court costs. You will very likely be put on probation for multiple years (details of probation might vary from one state to another. here's what it's like in CA). And if you think probation is nothing, just a slap on the wrist, keep reading, because when you are on probation for a "weapons conviction" you will lose your right to possess ANY weapons, and that includes guns and non-essential knives ("essential" being kitchen knives). All non-essential knives would have to be removed from any area accessible to you. You would be required to either transfer ownership of any guns you own over to someone else who may legally possess firearms (not someone who lives in the same residence as you, the guns cannot be accessible to you in any way), or, if you don't have someone you can transfer ownership to, you will have to surrender them to the cops (if the guns are registered, the cops will know what guns you have). Of course, if you are convicted of a felony, then you will lose your 2nd amendment rights altogether.
While on probation, you will lose your 4th amendment rights (it's an automatic condition of probation). This means that you can be stopped and searched on the street by any cop, at any time, and without probable cause. Also, it means that the cops can enter and search your residence anytime they want without a warrant. And a conviction on a "weapons" charge might very well put you on the list for regular home searches by your probation officer.
While on probation you would not be allowed to leave your county or state without receiving permission from your probation officer. And to add to the expense of the whole matter, you would be required to pay probation fees.
And if you violate the terms of your probation in any way, like if you get caught in possession of a non-essential knife, you can be sent back to jail.
If you have a criminal conviction, getting that job you want might be difficult. Getting ANY job might be difficult (perspective employers might not want to hire someone with a "weapons" conviction). Getting into the military might be difficult with a criminal record.
And just think, all of that is very possible just for carrying a knife that violates the letter of the law. Just because you don't think you are committing a crime, don't assume that cops, and prosecutors will share your point of view (prosecutors love to get "weapons" convictions). You might get lucky, and a cop on the street might let you slide, but that's a hell of a gamble to take. We might look upon a knife as a "tool", but many in our society (including many with real power) might look upon a knife as a "deadly weapon".
Fortunately for me, where I live in San Diego, the knife laws are very permissive, so I can carry what I want in the manner I want and it's all legal.
The only thing that I am prohibited from carrying that really affects my EDC choice is not being able to carry double edged blades (considered a "dagger" in TX, prohibited to carry). That means that things like a Benchamde Infidel and a few other double edged OTF autos are a no go. The 5.5" blade length limit really doesn't ever come into play, I would never want to carry anything that large anyway, it really isn't practical for me.
I do always follow the law on what I carry and where, I potentially could lose a lot with an arrest for an illegal knife. I have a concealed handgun license, anything over a class B misdemeanor and forget it, a class B or higher charge usually results in immediate suspension also. Any felony conviction pretty much ruins one's life (voting, guns, etc.) no matter who you are, I would probably lose my law license also. Working at Walmart isn't something I see in my future.
The bottom line is that I can legally carry almost anything I want, the things I can't I just don't.
I do always follow the law on what I carry and where, I potentially could lose a lot with an arrest for an illegal knife. I have a concealed handgun license, anything over a class B misdemeanor and forget it, a class B or higher charge usually results in immediate suspension also. Any felony conviction pretty much ruins one's life (voting, guns, etc.) no matter who you are, I would probably lose my law license also. Working at Walmart isn't something I see in my future.
The bottom line is that I can legally carry almost anything I want, the things I can't I just don't.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2013
- Messages
- 6,168
Every knife I carry in public is a Texas legal knife - blade less than 5.5 inches, no double edge. Half the stuff I carry everyday on the farm is Texas illegal - way over 5.5 inches - choppers, machetes, 1219C2s. But then on my own property I can carry whatever I want - Bowies, bayonets, bastard swords, pikes, halberds, battle axes, etc.
So does following the law affect what I carry in public? NO, because when not on the farm , "in public", anything over about 4 inches is, IMO, overkill. Anything I need to do with a knife out in public can be accomplished with 4 inches of steel or less.
So does following the law affect what I carry in public? NO, because when not on the farm , "in public", anything over about 4 inches is, IMO, overkill. Anything I need to do with a knife out in public can be accomplished with 4 inches of steel or less.
I hate California for many reasons, but one thing the Golden State is pretty good about is knives. Technically, under the law of LA county, you can carry any blade length in either a fixed or folding knife as long as its concealed and doesnt fall under any of the prohibited categories (balis, autos, gravity knives, etc). Dont ask me why it has to be concealed, I know it doesnt make sense..... My guess is its because they would rather you just not scare anyone or ruin the city's "image" by open carrying it 
You cant carry anything over three inches in length openly, regardless of your intent. Spring assisted knives are legal here, but its a very grey area. Depending on the cop who sees it, and depending on the exact type of assist mechanism it has, the knife could be considered a switchblade. But the law says that as long as the assist has to be started via contact with the blade (thumbstud, flipper, etc) then it is perfectly legal.
So, yes I try to stay within the limits of the law when carrying, but it just isnt very hard to do where I live Still, I try to avoid police contact when carrying just so I dont end up getting my knife confiscated by a cop who still thinks the blade has to fit in the palm of your hand or cant be able to be flicked open.....or who just wants my knife to add to his collection.....
You cant carry anything over three inches in length openly, regardless of your intent. Spring assisted knives are legal here, but its a very grey area. Depending on the cop who sees it, and depending on the exact type of assist mechanism it has, the knife could be considered a switchblade. But the law says that as long as the assist has to be started via contact with the blade (thumbstud, flipper, etc) then it is perfectly legal. So, yes I try to stay within the limits of the law when carrying, but it just isnt very hard to do where I live
Still, I try to avoid police contact when carrying just so I dont end up getting my knife confiscated by a cop who still thinks the blade has to fit in the palm of your hand or cant be able to be flicked open.....or who just wants my knife to add to his collection.....Here in texas any law limiting carrying is superseded by state law, and invalid. They know this and really don't enforce them.
All my carry knives comply with state law. But that is purely because it's what I've liked. At some point I'll get a double edged knife, like a Bowie. Just haven't done it yet.
It is illegal to carry a fixed-blade concealed in any part of California (including LA county). It is however legal to carry concealed any size of manual-opening folding knife in LA.I hate California for many reasons, but one thing the Golden State is pretty good about is knives. Technically, under the law of LA county, you can carry any blade length in either a fixed or folding knife as long as its concealed and doesnt fall under any of the prohibited categories (balis, autos, gravity knives, etc). Dont ask me why it has to be concealed, I know it doesnt make sense..... My guess is its because they would rather you just not scare anyone or ruin the city's "image" by open carrying it
So, yes I try to stay within the limits of the law when carrying, but it just isnt very hard to do where I live
And you can openly carry a knife (fixed or folder) with a blade 3" or longer in LA if you are doing so for legitimate work or recreational purposes (LA County code 13.62.030 explains these exemptions).
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