Knife laws in Manhattan, NYC?

T

tjchung

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Dec 23, 2005
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I'll be moving to the big apple this October, and I was wondering if my standard EDC items would get me in any trouble. I usually carry:

1 Vic Classic on a keychain

1 old old old before-they-redesigned-the-pocket-clip serrated Spyderco Delica in a hip pocket

1 Leatherman Wave, Swisstool or Vic Champ in a belt pouch, depending on my needs

1 SwissCard in my wallet

So if I was walking down a sidewalk in mid-town Manhattan carrying this stuff, would I get into any trouble with the NYPD or other LEO's? I'm assuming any flashlights I have are OK.
 
I'll give you a brief overview of NYC knife laws:

Prohibitted
  • carrying knives with blades longer than 4" (including the unsharpened portion)
  • gravity knives
  • switchblades
  • carrying knives in a visible manner
  • "Dangerous Knives" (NYS Penal Code term)
  • daggers

NYS State law defines a gravity knife as a lockblade knife that can be opened by centrifrugial force. In short, that means that if the blade locks, and it can be flicked open (either by holding the handle or blade), it is a gravity knife. Carrying a gravity knife constitutes "Criminal Posession of a Weapon" , which depending on your prior record could be charged as either an A Misdomeanor or a D (IIRC) felony. NYPD rabidly persues weapons violations, especially when it comes to carrying knives. In most other counties they aren't as emphatic about prosecuting people for gravity knives, but people have been charged under the same interpretation. There is an exemption in NYS law that allows the carrying of a gravity knife or switchblade while engaged in licensed hunting or fishing activities. The sale of gravity knives (and switchblades) is illegal in NYS, the exemption was really meant for people who already owned them. However, there is many retailers who do sell illegal knives, and are not shut down by NYC or NYS officials.

The other issue major issue that you will face in New York City is that NYC Administrative Code prohibits visibly carrying a knife when not in actual use (ie cutting something) with a couple of exceptions. If you carry a knife clipped to your pocket, you are subject to arrest. NYPD arrests a lot of people for illegal visible carry. If you do meet one of the exemptions (ie. the knife is for use in the course of your employment, and you're on your way to work when you get arrested), be prepared to provide documentation from your employer when you go to court. You can be punished with a fine and/or up to 15 days in jail (IIRC).

Daggers and "Dangerous Knives" are banned statewide via the NYS penal code.

If an officer asks you why you are carrying a knife, never tell them it is for self defense. That will indicate to them that you intend to use it as a weapon, and even if the knife is otherwise legal, will get you arrested.

There is several previous threads that on the subject of NYC case law as it pertains to knives. It would probably be good for you to read up on them.
http://bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=538628
http://bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=563133

On a personal note- I live in Connecticut. When I travel into NYC, I prefer to carry a smaller (small stockman or peanut or a red SAK usually) slipjoint knife, deep in my pocket. I also use it as sparingly as possible. Virtually every locking knife can be flipped open- with the right technique and a little effort.
 
Thanks for the info.

So by the definition of gravity knife, my Spyderco Delica can be considered an illegal knife, and I'd get nailed for it if I carried it clipped to my hip pocket. Nice to know!

But I'm wondering if the multi-tools I carry from time to time on my belt would get me in trouble for "visibly carrying a knife". Especially my Leatherman Wave which can be opened one-handed.
 
But I'm wondering if the multi-tools I carry from time to time on my belt would get me in trouble for "visibly carrying a knife". Especially my Leatherman Wave which can be opened one-handed.
Click to expand...
Without a doubt you would get hit with visible carry for carrying a sheathed knife/multi-tool. If the wave can be flipped open (I believe that it can, but I don't own one to test), you would also go down for the criminal posession of a weapon charge too.

Your going to need to rethink you carry knives a little bit. Go for non-locking, and concealed.
 
I work in NYC and have never had a problem with a sheathed leatherman but I did get stopped in Penn Station for a clip on my pocket. The officers were actually very nice and when I explained that I need the knife for work (elevator repair) they let me go with a warning not to clip the knife on my pocket. Glad they didnt take it as it was my Hinderer XM-18 and I would have been bummed to lose that. Attitude has a lot to do with how you are treated by the police here, most are not really into giving average working people a hard time. But lose the clip and you wont have any problems.
 
OK, thanks for the info. Looks like the Leatherman wave is staying home in Manhattan. I'll have to go back to carrying a "Man Bag" satchel to hold the Swisstool and Spyderco during my jaunts thru the city. But my Vic Classic is staying on my keychain!
 
Interesting MP510

I always had my Emerson Commander clipped in my pocket at all times and my leatherman in pouch on my belt when I worked in the city. I had numerous conversations with cops and they never said anything to me. I always though concealed carry was illegal, oops.

I am in CT also now but still go down to the city every now and then, I guess I'll think twice about just clipping the Commander in my pocket.
 
I am in NYC very often, and I have heard that the knife carry laws change quite rapidly, it's pretty simple don't have an exposed clip! put it in your pocket. Out of sight, won't get you into trouble, unless your stupid.
 
tonym, mp 510 has it 100% correct. You may have talked to officers that were not as crazied with enforcing this law, also the push to enforce it has grown over the last 7 years, and I am not sure when you were here. The law was passed under Koch, but not well enforced for years. Tjchung, just be a bit careful about the swiss army knife on a key chain, if that key chain is swinging from your belt, of otherwise exposed. I know it sounds silly. BUT having had been a NYC LEO you would be amazed how creative enforcement can be at times. Remember, NYC has over 40,000 sworn officers that are judged for performance by their monthly productivity report....need I say more ???
 
Thanks Tom, you are correct as is Mp510. I spoke with my friend who was cop down there for 5 years and he confirmed what you guys stated.

I haven't worked in the city in 5 years, and every time I went down I have just been lucky I guess.

I will change my way of carrying when I'm down there next time.
 
NYC law does not only prohibit blades over 4", it prohibits blades at 4" or longer.
Unlike many other juridictions, NYC insists knives must be carried concealed.
 
Cops in NYC tend to give you a hard time if they lay the blade across their hand and it is longer than their palm, even if their palms measure less than 4" across. You can always carry a folder IWB if you wear your shirt untucked. :) Gravity knives are a definite no-no though.
 
"Gravity knives are a definite no-no though."

As far as Gravity knives go, I have been reading that anything with a locking blade is illegal as well because it is a gravity knife.

Does this make sense? Any Benchmade for example with an AXIS lock is illegal in New York because the blade can lock open?

I have a knife (Benchmade 557) that can be flicked open by using the thumbstud or the Axis. Is this illegal to carry in NY?
 
Leviathan, the interpretation NY police seem to be using is that any knife that can be opened by centrifugal force and then locks open is a gravity knife.

Centrigugal force by their definition includes holding the blade and swinging the handle away from it, with however much force is needed to get it to open. They WILL make it happen, or they will make ti fly off and smash into the sidewalk or wherever.

Any axis lock can be easily opened by centrifugal force: hold the lockbar back and shift your wrist. The blade will fall open and lock as your release the lockbar.
 
Esav, has it right. You can thank Syderco for the holding the blade part. A small non locking blade is the best way to not, and NOT visisble on a key chain, belt, pocket clip....
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Leviathan, the interpretation NY police seem to be using is that any knife that can be opened by centrifugal force and then locks open is a gravity knife.

Centrigugal force by their definition includes holding the blade and swinging the handle away from it, with however much force is needed to get it to open. They WILL make it happen, or they will make ti fly off and smash into the sidewalk or wherever.

Any axis lock can be easily opened by centrifugal force: hold the lockbar back and shift your wrist. The blade will fall open and lock as your release the lockbar.
Click to expand...

That's not centrifugal force.
 
Vic Classic on a keychain ,,,ok ,,i carry a vic super tinker on key chain and work around nyc officers all day long ,,never had a problem


clip pockets on knives is something police are now enforcing as "threating "


any Leatherman Wave, Swisstool or Vic Champ in a belt pouch is ok ,,,again


SwissCard in my wallet ..ok ,,,
 
Sometimes I'm glad I don't live in New York anymore. It's nice to have my Emerson Combat Karambit on me.
 
joe-bob said:
That's not centrifugal force.
Click to expand...
We're not talking rocket science here, we're talking case law as applied by a police force. That's the term used and the definition they will arrest you under. Care to see a judge and tell him he's using the wrong dictionary? :)
 
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