Knife rules on a college campus

J

JahRo225

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Jul 6, 2011
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I'm attending LSU and I'm just wondering if there are any restrictions with knives around campus? I'm not sure where to look, but I don't want to get into any trouble carrying around my little EDC. Thank you guys
 
There is usually a student handbook of some form, usually available online that will have most of the campus rules. Another option would be to check with campus security, though in general they'll want to err on the side of safe and will likely say no, even if technically they are allowed. Not always the case with all schools, or all security people, but its not uncommon.
 
You are going to have to check with campus police to be sure. You will need to phrase the question carefully, for example "Are their any polices about pocketknives above and beyond that of state or local law?" If they say there are restrictions on knives from campus policy, ask for the specific citation in writing or where you can find it. Campus police (nor any other police) cannot just make policy up as they go; it must be documented somewhere.
 
Definitely check the handbook first. For example: I can pull my University's handbook up online and go to the section about "weapons" that aren't allowed and they directly reference a state statute in that section and reading through it and the handbook it basically says that pocket knives are okay on campus. But that's here in Florida so Louisiana might be different but just shows it should [hopefully] be written out in black and white for ya.

Just a note: I have those statutes and that section of the handbook printed out and in my backpack. It all fits on a sheet of paper so its not an inconvenience but sometimes you get some campus security or police who don't know everything they're talking about so I err on the side of caution (to the point of sometimes going too far) just in case I have to prove my case to them if they freak over a knife. But I have had a knife in my pocket everyday of class for over 3 years now with no problems.
 
I have carried an edc on campus for years, as well. I would also echo those who posted before me - check with campus police. I would also be weary of what knife you bring on campus. Most of the knives I have I wouldn't carry on campus, even though none of them are bigger than 3.5 inches (most are 3 and under). Any of my folders with speedsafe or other fast opening device, crazy grinds (I wouldn't carry a tanto on campus), etc., stays at home. The question I usually ask myself is, "would I be comfortable showing my edc to an officer, should the situation come up that I would need to display it?". I stick to very utilitarian blades.

I doubt you'd ever get into any trouble for having one on you, unless the circumstances said otherwise. I have had conversations, sat next to, and walked by campus PD without any problems (knife in pocket). While campus security is taken very seriously, I don't think a small folder is going to stir anything up. But ya never know...
 
Nobody has bothered to ask me about the knives in my pockets for the past 4 years on campus everyday ranging from kershaw skyline to big ol' Rat1.. Just act like a normal college kid and you'll blend in without issues.. Just be prepared to see some crazy faces if you ever use your blade opening something for a member of the opposite sex..(or ANYBODY for that matter... cause people are so easily startled)
 
Class E felony here in TN, same as carrying a pistol on campus.

Very unlikely to be charged with it (for a knife) unless you caused some significant ruckus.

- OS
 
V1GiLaNtE said:
Nobody has bothered to ask me about the knives in my pockets for the past 4 years on campus everyday ranging from kershaw skyline to big ol' Rat1.. Just act like a normal college kid and you'll blend in without issues.. Just be prepared to see some crazy faces if you ever use your blade opening something for a member of the opposite sex..(or ANYBODY for that matter... cause people are so easily startled)
Click to expand...

I did the same, and even carried a sword cane on campus for a time without getting caught (was young and didn't know any better, though it did save my life from an three-on-one assault). However, some campus police are a little.... overly enthusiastic. I had a friend who was grabbed, handcuffed and booked at the station for littering because he left his drink cup on the steps next to the library in the middle of the day. The good news is we got all the charges dropped (both the real and the fictional ones the cop made up) due to this excessive handling, but had he had an illegal or prohibited knife, he would have had no defense at all, save Fruit of the Poisonous Tree, and that would have been a stretch.

Not saying that is a statistically likely event, but things happen.
 
The college I attended prohibited weapons; specifically stating that pocket knives, were OK for utilitarian use.
 
I'm here at slu in Hammond and they're fine as long wether are under 5 inches, thats what the handbook defines as a weapon that is prohibited. But it should be stated in your handbook.
 
I go to LSU as well and i carry mine everywhere on campus adn have never seen any signs about it. Just dont draw undo attention to it. I have used mine in front of police on campus and have never had a problem. Just dont worry about it is my advice
 
Im a college student as well, and would give the same caution that the previous posters have. Don't carry anything crazy, big, or quick opening, and people tend to not freak out about it. I stick with a UKPK, as its pretty hard to open quick, and looks quite "normal"

But check your student handbook for sure, and check in with campus police. (fyi I would bring your knife along to show them, just ask about general policy)
Ive never had anyone comment on my knife, and its only ever been used for usual edc tasks.

If you can't get a solid response from anyone, I would say don't carry it. Its not worth getting kicked outta school for it.
 
Carry but don't use it unless nobody is around, that is my policy. You won't be cutting cardboard or opening packages as a student. Carry it so you will have a peace of mind knowing you will have a edge in an emergency.
 
I carried a concealed 4" Gerber FS II lockblade folder through all 4 years of college (1978-1982) without incident. I was a commuter and didn't spend much time on campus after classes. Actually, the folder was used at the part-time jobs that I had during my college career (supermarket for the first two years and a nearby restaurant for the last two), opening boxes of canned goods (supermarket), as well as cases of beer and boxes of fresh food (restaurant). If you have a part-time job that requires the use of a knife and you customarily go directly from school to the job like I used to do, then you should be OK. I would not mention the fact that you carry to either the campus police or other students. A campus PO will look forward to making a weapons arrest to further his/her career and you never know whether the sheeple..oops!...I mean fellow students and faculty (LOL!) will rat you out to either the administration or the campus PD. Make sure it is well concealed when you carry it.
 
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