Knives in Florida

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KnifeLover10603

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I will be taking a trip to Florida in June, and Im curious about the knife laws. Im seeing different results around the internet, so i figured theres plenty of people on here that would know. What can i carry in terms of blade length (concealed in pocket and open on belt with sheath?) From what i have read, concealed has a 3 inch blade limit, and open has no limit. Im looking to carry my KABAR with a 7 inch blade, on my belt with the sheath. Thanks for any responses.
 
Ask any florida cop he will tell you, nothing over 4 concealed, or open, but you cant trust police these days. But tbh i have never needed anything bigger than that.
 
The 2000 Florida Statutes


Title XLVI
CRIMES
Chapter 790
Weapons And Firearms
View Entire Chapter
790.01 Carrying concealed weapons.--

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4), a person who carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device on or about his or her person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083...

 ...“Weapon” means any dirk, knife, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon except a firearm or a common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt-bladed table knife...

Open carrying of weapons.--

(1) Except as otherwise provided by law and in subsection (2), it is unlawful for any person to openly carry on or about his or her person any firearm or electric weapon or device...

LAWFUL USES.—The provisions of ss. 790.053 and 790.06 do not apply in the following instances, and, despite such sections, it is lawful for the following persons to own, possess, and lawfully use firearms and other weapons, ammunition, and supplies for lawful purposes

(h) A person engaged in fishing, camping, or lawful hunting or going to or returning from a fishing, camping, or lawful hunting expedition;
 
It is up to you to decide what is a common pocket knife. The 4" is from a single case. It is not law. My estimation is that Some knives under 4" may not pass. Some over 4" would. Stay out of trouble and no one will look twice. Big knives are fine at camp but not concealed. If you have a ccw from a state with reciprocity you have greater freedoms.

For your kabar, you can conceal it with a permit but you can't open carry it unless fishing or at camp.
 
The term "common pocket knife" is not defined in the laws, some believe that with a CCW permit that you're exempt and that includes autos...personally, I don't agree. Also, there are many localities with their own laws, as Florida has no preemption on that; Miami-Dade County has a ban on possession of autos for instance. I spend a few weeks in Florida each year (family ties there) and leave the autos home in Texas, I just stick with a normal manual or assisted folder of reasonable size.

Why exactly do you feel the need to carry a 7" fixed blade openly? I understand if it's for camping/hunting, but other than that I don't see why that's necessary.
 
You can carry your Kabar as long as you're going to and from camping or fishing. You can carry a folder open with a 4"blade or less. A pocket clip showing is all you need to be considered open carry. Most LEO's down here won't bother you unless you ask for it. Use common sense and you should be fine. Walking around town with a 7" fixed blade would be asking for it. I've lived here for 12 years and I've only seen one person with a fixed blade strapped on in a Wal Mart.
 
Florida is much like Georgia: A lot depends on where you are. If you're out in areas such as Dixie, Levy, or Taylor Counties in Florida (Gulf Coast 'arch') - essentially in the middle of nowhere, folks might not even give a second look to you carrying something that would draw ire, undue attention, or hoplophobic panic in Tampa, Orlando or Miami.

Common sense goes a long way in avoiding calling attention to yourself.

One fixed blade that I carry regularly in Georgia and Florida (as well as quite a few other states), and it has drawn less than no attention is an old Shrade Sharpfinger. It's hard to make an argument that a skinning knife like the Sharpfinger is an 'offensive' weapon, while at the same time, it can be one heck of a defensive one.

 
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knife laws in micmi-dade county can be very iffy. I have a license to carry and carry my knives with pocket clips showing, and no cop has ever bat an eyelash in my direction and I have passed many while wearing them. Technically the knife law in miami is nothing over 3" without a license. But in terms of how many cops actually care in miami-dade, I have never checked. Cops down here tend to like knives from those I talk to who carry them. I guess it goes to how you look and carry yourself and dress. If you look like a hoodlum, they might take another look at you, if you look like an all around nice person, they won't bother you unless you are clearly breaking a law.

But Florida law says nothing over 4". However, florida has no knife pre-emption laws so they allow counties and municipalities to set their own rules.
 
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