Knife carry in New York City

H

harrydog

Joined
Feb 29, 2000
Messages
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I lived in New York for about five years, but that was ten years ago.
I'm planning a visit back to the city so that my kids can get a taste of what New York has to offer, and I'm wondering whether or not I should bring a knife with me.
We'll be visiting some places like the Museum of Natural History, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, etc., and I don't know if carrying a knife will pose a problem due to the increased security measures after Sept. 11.
Can anyone fill me in on what to expect?
 
You might have a problem with the Federal monuments. I've been to Natural History, and they only look into bags or backpacks. Just keep a pocketknife out of sight.

Have fun! My daughter always used to love coming into the City for the zoos and museums and the restaurants and the Garden.
 
This was addressed recently in "Knife laws." The Statute of Liberty/Ellis Island has strict security procedures, including metal detectors. No knives allowed.
 
Thanks for the replies. I guess no national monuments for us then...
DDGator, I assume you're the same DDGator that's over at the Rohrbaugh forum? I've had one on order for awhile. Need to decide which pocket holster to buy.
 
Some places like the Empire State Building have metal detectors and a strick no-knife policy. I don't know if the guards will simply hold the knife for you.
 
Empire state they hold the knife for you. They put it in a plastic bag, then give you a claim ticket. I visited there a few months back, and this is their current procedure. They took my chinook II, put it in a freezer bag, put that in a plastic basket, and gave me the claim ticket.

When I came back, my chinook was still in the bag. Didn't look like they had played with it or anything.
 
I'd hate to have my Sebenza (my EDC) confiscated. Since I really don't want to be restricted as to what we can and can't visit, I might just forgo carrying a knife with me, even though I hate to do that.
 
Harrydog, if you're an Arab Muslim male, you can bring any knife with you anywhere in New York, because for any security personnel to tell you otherwise would be "ethnic profiling". However, if you're a non-Arab Muslim (e.g. White Protestant), don't bring anything with an edge whatsoever (e.g. nail clippers).
 
Or become a Sikh. Have to carry a knife. Nice religion, too. Never had a Sikh sit next to me on a park bench and ask if I had a 'personal relationship with Guru Nanak'!
I wouldn't let <certain folks> play with sharp things, either!
I've never heard of a Muslim or a Sikh pass an anti-knife law!
*__-
 
I've just come back from NYC.

Natural History Museum: they search your bags. No metal detectors and no problem with clips showing off the pockets (at least, I didn't have any)

Empire State Building: you pass thru metal detectors. They found my SAK (climber) on my pocket, asked to see and let me in... I think SAK's are very friendly look...

My girl always carry a small SAK (classic) in her purse, and the metal detector didn't show it.

But the law in NYC prohibiths the use of any knife with more than 4" blade and any kind of "gravity" opening method.

Regards,

Andre Tiba - Brazil
 
Metropolitan Art Museum prohibits knives - sign posted at the door. Natural History Museum checks bags, but doesn't have any signage or explicit postings saying knives are prohibited.

Last time I checked, 4" was the legal limit, which is kinda nice. I appreciate having a number rather than 18 pages of vagueness. Exemptions for transport to/from sharpening and service establishment, but that doesn't really apply to you.
 
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