Is it legal to use throwing knives in my backyard in NYC?

SAKowner-2.0 said:
No that is definitely not the case. I can't legally own switchblades or balisong knives here in NYC even if I keep them at home and never carry them with me. If it's legally a "weapon" it's illegal to own everywhere. Even at home.
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If you have a fishing or hunting license you can certainly can possess a switchblade. A sword is illegal to walk around with but you can have one on your wall and practice Iaido in your backyard if you wish. The "dangerous knife" clause is open to interpretation - what would LE say if you were throwing a hatchet at a log in your backyard? What is the charge? Throwers should fall in the same category - your intent is to practice a skill of manual dexterity that is practiced at reenactment meetings and woodsman contests all over the country if not the planet. Get pinched with one taped to your forearm and now we have intent.

Of course the Public Defender might not be much help in any event. Contact local DA office and ask them. Like as not they'll do what Vance's office did when I asked about gravity knives "the statute is perfectly clear, just read the penal code".
 
I do prosecutorial work for several communities. I would never (nor would most) competent prosecutors give legal advice to someone asking whether what they propose to do would or would not constitute a crime. I hate to beat a dead horse but prosecutors and DA's prosecute people for violating the law and are not charged with nor expected to provide legal advice to the general public; even if a prosecutor did provide such "advice" it is not a defense in court. Where this notion comes from I don't know. Unfortunately a lot of people do not understand how our justice system works and make erroneous assumptions. Consulting government officials (including DA's and cops), who are charged with administering and enforcing laws, rules and regulations is not what one should do. While such "advice", assuming it is given, may be "free", if one chooses to rely upon such "advice" then take it with a huge grain of salt.
 
Oh well I guess the other five well seat legal minds I quoted in post #35 don't measure up.....
 
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