Justifying a Knife

[TOM1960]

one could go this route, though invoking a miranda trial right at this point is completely out of context and rather meaningless.

Very true. My first words would be that the knife (assuming it is of legal size/length/action-type/blade configuration, etc.) is used for everyday tasks, ranging from opening mail, unjamming office copy machines to food preparation. My tone of voice would be normal conversational and I would maintain a pleasant demeanor in the presence of the LEO. The next move would be up to him/her. Even if the LEO was a complete A-hole towards me, I would continue to be pleasant to him/her in return. Many police cruisers have dash-cams and just about every bystander/witness will have a cell phone with camera/video capability. You never know who is recording. Recently, Mel Gibson found that out the hard way!

 

[MORIMOTOM]

i treat most encounters as though i am being recorded. and where i work, nearly all are, usually with a cell phone.

if we are assuming the item is otherwise legal, then responding that it is a weapon is not a good idea. this is not the time to try and exercise what you feel is your right to carry a "weapon" or argue the merits, or lack thereof, of any restriction contrary to the 2nd Ammendment.

unless you feel you are serving some greater good by going to jail so you can appeal your case, that is.

think about what you actually use your knife for, not some potential use, and respond that way. opening mail, packages, food prep, cutting hangnails, picking your nose, whatever.

a non response can be interpreted many ways, and carries with it some risk. you leave the officer no choice but to interpret for himself/herself.

as has been said many times in this forum, please be aware of state and local laws where you live or where you intend to travel.

 

[powernoodle]

This is only an ancillary comment, but being very deferential and compliant with an officer will go a long, long way toward achieving a positive outcome. You are free to cuss them out after they have departed.

That being said, my approach is to know the law inside and out, to comply with the law at all times, and not to grab my ankles for anyone (law enforcement included) in the process. Fortunately, where I live the law is clear and the police are not looking for ways to harass the citizenry. I know that others here are not so lucky.

 

[tom19176]

Agreed with the last few posts. Be polite, and respectful, and carry only what you believe to be legal. An officer may feel a certain knife is not legal, and he maybe wrong, but the way you handle matters will almost always dtermine where it goes from there.

 

[Techtical]

Get a concealed weapons permit if you can. That way you can carry a legal knife without any worries, self defense purposes or not. Treating any person as though you would want to be treated (respectfully) should be the course of any public incounter, LEO or not.

 

[SSonnentag]

The same reason I carry a spare tire and jack in my car. It's not because I use them every day. It's a tool that comes in very handy when necessary, but you never know when that time will come.

 

[dsvirsky]

Get a concealed weapons permit if you can. That way you can carry a legal knife without any worries, self defense purposes or not.

Nope. Some states, VA included, issue a concealed handgun permit, not a concealed weapons permit.

 

[Nebulae]

though it is true that if it is legal you do not need a reason so much of the problem is your, and the LEOs demeanor, mood, and what else you were doing to be in a position to be searched, or otherwise talking to a LEO

 

[Mannlicher]

I never understand the need to 'justify' anything you do that is legal.

 

[artmichalek]

I never understand the need to 'justify' anything you do that is legal.

I guess you could argue that courtesy is never really a <i>need</i>. If an officer is questioning you, he probably has some reason to suspect that you're up to something. If you're not, you might as well just be up front with him so you can both move on with your lives.

 

[greater]

Hey Guys,

I have a pretty interesting question that I've been thinking about lately. Let's say that a cop stops you and sees you have a blade on you, maybe a one-handed opener or something. You're just a pencil-pushing desk jockey and you don't really have a reason to carry, you just carry because you're used to it and it comes in handy, maybe once a day or every other day, or simply because you're a knife enthusiast.

How can you explain to a cop why you have a blade on you? You don't have a real reason to carry it to work, nor is "collecting" really a valid excuse. Even if you conduct yourself well and don't do anything stupid, that's still not a real "reason" to carry a blade.

How would you justify it?

Very simple FIRST AND FORMOST I LIKE KNIVES IF YOU DON'T IT'S YOUR PROBLEM second they can be quite handy and useful for cutting needs that pop up.

If I were to carry a weapon, that side arm (gun) you carry officer is just what I would choose. Maybe you could get me a carry permit and let me relieve you (officer) of the burden of having to carry "a dangerous weapon" by donating your sidearm to a needy unarmed citizen such as myself.

Just joking around but that may be my thoughts. Saying it would probably encourage him/her to outfit me with some of the latest shiny fashionable (these days it seems) bleem bleem bling on my wrists in no time at all.