Knife Laws In Your State..Do You Obey Them

Im also in michigan and never knew that....ive carried folders large to huge to small for years without worry, I stay out of trouble and to the best of my ability make sure my blades arent obvious.
 
I only worry about major cities now since I rarely go to them anymore and if I do, I do a quick check of the laws. PA is lax luckily and NJ just sucks. NYC is a pain in general and can't remember what I've done in the past, though I'm leery to carry anything there now from the horror stories I've read.

In any case, nothing bigger than a Delica or Izula for me when I go out. Carry wherever I go, minus places I know they'll actually check like museums, court houses and that sort of thing. Other than that, I mind my own business.
 
Well since I live in CA I can carry a foot long+ folding blade if I want. I don't have much interest in fixed blades so I don't have much to worry about.
 
Yes, but it is hard not to here in Vermont. The only real restrictions are that it is illegal to carry a knife with intent of doing harm, or carrying a "switchblade" knife with a blade over 3 inches in length.
 
Here in MA, state law bans the carrying of automatic knives and double-edged knives. There is no state-mandated blade length limit. Problem is, Massachusetts allows "home rule" local ordinances and an increasing number of cities are using them to set blade length limits. So far, to the best of my knowledge, the blade length limit for knives carried in public is 2.5" in Boston, Revere, Salem, Beverly, Lynn, Lawrence and Worcester. Cambridge may have a similar law at this point. Lowell politicians discussed it a few years back. Violators are subject to arrest and a fine of up to $300, plus a CORI criminal record that stays on the books forever, whether or not the charges get dismissed or the defendant is found not guilty in court.
That said, a 4" Cold Steel "Voyager" folder has been my EDC for well over a decade now, long before these ordinances have been passed. I continue to carry it while in Boston and Lawrence, regardless. My safety is more important than some stupid law. I am not a complete idiot. I removed the pocket clip and carry it completely concealed in my right front trouser pocket. I do not drink or take drugs, am well-dressed and groomed and avoid trouble whenever possible. Maintaining a low profile is the key to avoiding arrest when you are illegally armed. Over thirty years ago, while in college, I EDC'd a Gerber FS II folder completely concealed on campus, in complete violation of the rules. I graduated four years later with no one ever having known that I carried it. Then again, I was a commuter and did not live on campus, so that may also have worked in my favor.
 
Phade said:
Well since I live in CA I can carry a foot long+ folding blade if I want. I don't have much interest in fixed blades so I don't have much to worry about.
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Check your city laws. Many of them are more restrictive than state law.

Frank
 
I don't see what the problem is in NYC. You carry under 4", completely concealed, and make sure it isn't flickable with an arm throw and you're good to go.
 
Reeper22 said:
I don't see what the problem is in NYC. You carry under 4", completely concealed, and make sure it isn't flickable with an arm throw and you're good to go.
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Please list what knives meet those requirements.
 
Reeper22 said:
I don't see what the problem is in NYC. You carry under 4", completely concealed, and make sure it isn't flickable with an arm throw and you're good to go.
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And trust that you don't run into a cop who woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning and decides to hassle you just because he can.
 
Josh K said:
Please list what knives meet those requirements.
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Just about every folder I own except my BM 42's (only because of blade length) and my Military. Here's some of mine that meet the requirments:
Spyderco Paramilitary
Spyderco Stretch
Spyderco Tenancious
Benchmade Gold Class Grip
Spyderco Ladybug
SAK
Manix 2
Benchmade HK 14440sb
Sebenza
 
Reeper22 said:
Just about every folder I own except my BM 42's (only because of blade length) and my Military. Here's some of mine that meet the requirments:
Spyderco Paramilitary
Spyderco Stretch
Spyderco Tenancious
Benchmade Gold Class Grip
Spyderco Ladybug
SAK
Manix 2
Benchmade HK 14440sb
Sebenza
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Any of those, except maybe the SAK I can flip open holding onto the blade.
 
Josh K said:
Any of those, except maybe the SAK I can flip open holding onto the blade.
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I was under the impression that holding the blade and throwing out the handle is not a valid test. It seems like ti could depend on the officer maybe? Is there any ruling on this? I'm calling different precincts and asking to see what they say.
 
I spoke with two different people at two different precincts about holding the blade and flicking out the handle. The first person I spoke to at the 1st precinct didn't really understand what I was getting at and just kept repeating if it could be flicked out it's a gravity knife. The second person I spoke to was an officer at the 30th precinct who specialized in weapon laws. He seemed to know his stuff as he rattled off some specific models and companies that made legal models such as CRKT. He told me that he has never heard of holding the blade and flicking out the handle as a test. He said that if you were arrested based on that test who doesn't know whether or not it would hold up in court. He seemed to be a bit of a knife buff and on our side a bit. He called the laws ridiculous and advised me if I want to be as careful as possible not to carry anything that is flickable in anyway. He also said the intent of the law wasn't to hold the blade and flick out the handle. The policy behind the law was to reduce the speed of deployment and it seems that someone who holds the blade and flicks out the handle would then have to re-grip the knife by the handle and thus be a slower deployment. So, it seems to be pretty gray and depends on the officer and possibly judge.
 
Reeper22 said:
I spoke with two different people at two different precincts about holding the blade and flicking out the handle. The first person I spoke to at the 1st precinct didn't really understand what I was getting at and just kept repeating if it could be flicked out it's a gravity knife. The second person I spoke to was an officer at the 30th precinct who specialized in weapon laws. He seemed to know his stuff as he rattled off some specific models and companies that made legal models such as CRKT. He told me that he has never heard of holding the blade and flicking out the handle as a test. He said that if you were arrested based on that test who doesn't know whether or not it would hold up in court. He seemed to be a bit of a knife buff and on our side a bit. He called the laws ridiculous and advised me if I want to be as careful as possible not to carry anything that is flickable in anyway. He also said the intent of the law wasn't to hold the blade and flick out the handle. The policy behind the law was to reduce the speed of deployment and it seems that someone who holds the blade and flicks out the handle would then have to re-grip the knife by the handle and thus be a slower deployment. So, it seems to be pretty gray and depends on the officer and possibly judge.
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The last part is particularly relavent as I don't know have the time to go to court and explain that this knife is legal the officer is wrong. :)

And depending on how much you tighten the pivot, I can flick (standard, with my thumb) open just about any of those knives.

The only reason I mention the alternate flick method is because of it's discussion here (emphasis on NYC) and the other thread.
 
Josh K said:
The last part is particularly relavent as I don't know have the time to go to court and explain that this knife is legal the officer is wrong. :)

And depending on how much you tighten the pivot, I can flick (standard, with my thumb) open just about any of those knives.

The only reason I mention the alternate flick method is because of it's discussion here (emphasis on NYC) and the other thread.
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I'm pretty sure thumb flicking doesn't count. Thumb usage isn't centrifugal force , it's manual force. I agree that I don't have time and don't want to go to court to defend myself.
 
Reeper22 said:
I'm pretty sure thumb flicking doesn't count. Thumb usage isn't centrifugal force , it's manual force. I agree that I don't have time and don't want to go to court to defend myself.
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http://knife-expert.com/ny.txt

"Gravity knife" means any
knife has blade which is released from the handle or
sheath thereof by the force of gravity of the application
of centrifugal force which, when released, is locked in
place by means of a button, spring, lever, or other
device. [Note: In NYC, and potentially in other NY
jurisdictions, this definition is construed to apply to
ANY folding knife with a blade that locks open.
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I don't know, let's find a lawyer. :)
 
Josh K said:
http://knife-expert.com/ny.txt




I don't know, let's find a lawyer. :)
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I'm a law student. I was going to email my former crim law professor but he was a visiting prof and just left for Florida and probably doesn't have a lot of NYC particularized experience. I'm debating emailing my adjunct legal writing prof who is a judge but on Long Island so I don't know if he would know either.
 
Yeah, you don't just need a "lawyer," you need a lawyer with extensive experience with these issues in NYC. My knowledge of Colorado law won't help you out much, since we don't treat "gravity knives" differently from anything else.

The best advice is still to stick with something you're absolutely, positively certain you won't get hassled over. Even if you're technically right, getting busted can sure ruin your day.
 
Samael said:
Yeah, you don't just need a "lawyer," you need a lawyer with extensive experience with these issues in NYC. My knowledge of Colorado law won't help you out much, since we don't treat "gravity knives" differently from anything else.

The best advice is still to stick with something you're absolutely, positively certain you won't get hassled over. Even if you're technically right, getting busted can sure ruin your day.
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+1. Hence the reason I have a Mnandi on order. :)
 
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