If Only: Ideal knife law database...

M

Muppet

Joined
Apr 2, 2004
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Does such a thing exist? My idea database would:

1> Have a clear description of what's legal in each state, and any major vicinity with different laws like major cities.

2> Have a way of cross-correlating knives and where you can carry them, so you specify "3.5' blade tactical folder" and it'll list where you can carry, or you can type in "Maine" and have it come back with a list of legal blades.

Does anybody have this or anything like it?

Second question: are there any blades which are legal in all of North America?
 
I know of no such database, but it would be nice.

As far as are there any blade legal everywhere? I would imagine that a knife with an under 2" blade would be close.
 
Some municipalities of which I am aware specify that a knife blade must be less than 2.5 inches. One municipality, San Antonio, TX, forbids folders with blades which lock in the open position, with a blade length less than 5.5 inches. (Over 5.5-inch blades are covered by Texas state law.) Perhaps a dedicated member of Bladeforums could start such a database, but with a country such as the USA with decentralized government, such a database would always be out of date as laws change at every level of government on an ongoing basis. Shootist16's recommendation is about right, I think. Then, there are issues of concealment. In Texas, concealment is not an issue with knives. In some places, all weapons must be visible. In NYC, knives must be worn concealed, as I understand. Fixed or folder can make a difference. In some places, only folders may be worn concealed. Are we confused yet? A Swiss Army knife with the longest blade two inches or less is about a legal as is humanly possible, or perhaps the Spyderco Pride, which was specifically designed to be legal in places where locking blades are illegal.
 
The trouble is, what's legal (if you have a good lawyer) and what you might be arrested for are sometimes quite different. On top of that, many laws are so vague that what's legal is highly variable depending on the judge and/or jury irrespective of your lawyer. Even in states that have no law restricting open carry of edged weapons, you can't usually expect to be unchallenged if you walk around in a city and carrying a katana.

Those problems have indefinitely torpedoed my motivation to complete the list I started. Maybe I'll finish it later this year.
http://www.thehighroad.org/library/blades/knifelaws.html
In general, if the comments column has some cases listed, that state's info is more accurate. If someone wants to research caselaw (states with poor info are a good place to start, but they could all use fixing up to some degree), send an update to the email address listed at the top; I'll be happy to include it.
 
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