I think My Kitchen Knives Are Illegal...

[Joben]

Knife laws make no sense.
I realize that's preaching to the choir here, but really.
My home state is Connecticut. I found one bit in it's laws that just makes my head hurt.

http://knife-expert.com/ct.txt

Sec. 53-206. Carrying of dangerous weapons prohibited. (a) Any person who carries upon his or her person...*snip*...or any knife the edged portion of the blade of which is four inches or over in length...shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than three years or both.

4" or greater blade is bad...Ok...wait. As far as I can tell 'Carrying' means having it on your person. Literally carrying in your hands it would certainly apply right? I mean if knife X is illegal if it's in your pocket it can't possible be ok if it's in your hand right? Ok then.

Every time you handle an average chef's knife on your own property you are committing a crime! There is no exception for knives at your house. There's one for BB guns, but not knives.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to... *snip* (6) the carrying of a BB. gun by any person upon such person's own property or

There is a specific exemption for someone MOVING their goods from one house to another. But not for when you actually get there!

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to... *snip* ... *snip* ...lawfully removing such person's household goods or effects from one place to another, or from one residence to another...

As far as i can tell there is no 'catch all' clause for possessing dangerous weapons on your own property. Any knife 4" or greater is a dangerous weapon.

Now don't say I'm being picky. Legals codes are by their nature picky. This one has been worded with great care and exactness, except for this massive hole.

What say you all to that?

 

[stealthchaser13]

Theres the letter of the law, then theres the spirit of the law...I don't think a cop, let alone a judge will charge you for having/using a kitchen knife with a blade greater than 4"

 

[artmichalek]

As far as i can tell there is no 'catch all' clause for possessing dangerous weapons on your own property. Any knife 4" or greater is a dangerous weapon.

I'm guessing it's implied by the use of the term "carry" rather than "possess". While possession extends onto private property, carrying is understood to only be in public.

 

[Joben]

But that's inconsistent, see my point about "carrying" a BB gun on your own land.

It says carrying a BB gun or large knife is generally illegal.
But carrying a BB gun on your own property is not.
No matching exception for large knives.

 

[Renaissance-reborn]

(This is all from what I, as a non professional, understand)

There's also the consideration that you have probably reason to have those knives. If you had one just on you... on the street, or in your car, or anywhere else really, then there would be no real cause for having, say, a cleaver, or heavy kitchen knife. But if they are IN A KITCHEN you can argue that you have them in there for cooking.

 

[Watchful]

"Carrying" as defined by Connecticut law refers to having it on your person in public.

So...holding a kitchen knife on your person at home, not a crime.

Holding one in a package to purchase it at a store, not a crime.

Walking in a crowd at the airport, holding it in your hand or hiding it up your sleeve--you are carrying a dangerous weapon.

Pretty clear cut, actually, and no pun intended: your kitchen knives are not illegal.