Knives in self defense???

mrdavidross321 said:
so im curious lol can i carry a fixed blade in florida as long as it is not hidden?
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Apparently, yes.
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Most states (including my own state of MI) only prohibit concealed carry (and that includes guns too here in MI). Open carry is commonly lawful. However, as soon as you put on a jacket or get in a car (etc.), then you are carrying "concealed" and violating the law.

The reason for the distinction between open and concealed carry is the idea that if you are carrying a concealed weapon, it's not "fair" to the would-be instigator (whether it's someone picking a fight with you, or someone trying to rob you). After all, the instigator may choose to not fight or rob you if he knows that you're carrying a weapon. But if your weapon is open visible to all, then the instigator knows exactly what he's getting into, and, perhaps, deserves the consequences of his acions.

The above information is being posted for general discussion and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
You should always consult with your own lawyer about your specific situation.
 
I always learned in martial arts classes back when I was a kid to only engage if necessary and do a quick blow and get the hell out of dodge running, and bug out until the coast is clear. Slow if you stab somebody trying to mug you, do the above. Oh course, I'm from Montana that has some of the best conceal carry laws, and lots of people still open carry. If you get mugged in Montana and shot the creep the cops will probably shake your hand and thank you for taking another scumbag off the streets.
 
Unfortunately, in the eyes of most people, when knives are used in self defense, it appears brutal and savage. You are almost better off shooting someone than stabbing or slicing them.

The knife does so much visual damage that it psychologically affects a jurors opinion of you in some cases.
 
+1 on that ^ ^ as this is exactly what started to happen to Brenddy Garcia.
Thanks to NYPD and the DA for their good work this time in determining the
real story.
 
ricklee4570 said:
Unfortunately, in the eyes of most people, when knives are used in self defense, it appears brutal and savage. You are almost better off shooting someone than stabbing or slicing them.

The knife does so much visual damage that it psychologically affects a jurors opinion of you in some cases.
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I don't believe that a slice to a ligament or tissue is anywhere near as "apparently brutal" as an 8-inch hole from a HydrShock hollowpoint.
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mrdavidross321 said:
cool man thanks for the info
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just keep in mind that while FL does NOT have any statute banning the open carry of any (non firearm) weapon, certain municipalities or even counties might have ordinances. i am not aware of any cities or counties that do have their own weapon ordinances, but i don't believe FL has any state law that protects us from cities enacting local laws against open carry. another problem you might encounter, depending on what part of FL you're in, is LEO's that simply do not realize it is legal to openly carry (virtually) anything. i personally know cops who i've had to enlighten, they thought there was a law against openly carrying a bowie.

several time, i've pushed my grocery cart through Walmart with a 12" fixed blade on my hip. never once have i even been questioned about it. i've had LEO look str8 at me, in TAMPA, and not say a word.

i have a permit to conceal and i'm LEO, but i like larger knives and they just ride better on the outside :)
 
TheCarbideRat said:
8" ...and this is an exit wound we're talking?

caliber?
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Yes. I was referring to the exit wound from a .45ACP (which I carry) or a .357 magnum (which my dad carries). And maybe it's only 4 or 6 inches, but my point is still valid: Hollow points are typically more brutal than hollow grinds!
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That is brutal. I think knives cause more "bloodiness" though. And blood sells, just look in the newspaper!
 
link2derek said:
I don't believe that a slice to a ligament or tissue is anywhere near as "apparently brutal" as an 8-inch hole from a HydrShock hollowpoint.
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link2derek said:
Yes. I was referring to the exit wound from a .45ACP (which I carry) or a .357 magnum (which my dad carries). And maybe it's only 4 or 6 inches, but my point is still valid: Hollow points are typically more brutal than hollow grinds!
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.74 inches will hardly cause a 6-8 inch exit wound.


handgunexpandedjhp.jpg
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Regardless of the size of the exit wound, my point is still valid. But maybe you're missing my point. At any rate, a bullet exit wound can be more dramatic when the bullet hits bone(s) and fragments.. For example, there are lots of bones in the hand, and this is the result:

bullet_exit_wound_by_metalchick84.jpg


Ouch!!
 
link2derek said:
Regardless of the size of the exit wound, my point is still valid. But maybe you're missing my point. At any rate, a bullet exit wound can be more dramatic when the bullet hits bone(s) and fragments.. For example, there are lots of bones in the hand, and this is the result:

bullet_exit_wound_by_metalchick84.jpg


Ouch!!
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The result of what? A makeup effects artist?

bullet_exit_wound_by [makeup effects artist] metalchick84, [i followed the URL to deviantart dotcom].

I'm callin BS on this, this is a serious forum and this is not welcome. The fake pic you have here is not only illegitimate but resembles the hand of an infant.
 
Merely an illustration, my well-traveled friend:

il·lus·tra·tion   /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/
[il-uh-strey-shuhn] Show IPA

–noun
1. something that illustrates, as a picture in a book or magazine.
2. a comparison or an example intended for explanation or corroboration.
3. the act or process of illuminating.
4. the act of clarifying or explaining; elucidation.

Don't bother doing the "research," I got that here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/illustration?fromRef=true#Scene_1

Surely there are better things for you to bellyache about. As for myself, your attempt to elicit an altercation here has been disregarded.

Furthermore, if you recall, the original subject of this thread was a legal question. It seems that we got bogged down in semantics about whether one weapon or another can cause more devastation than the other. The answer to the latter is "it depends" on too many variables to discuss here. The answer to the former is that it becomes illegal to use a knife (or any other weapon, for that matter) if: (1) There was no actual OR apparent threat; OR (2) There was no threat of great bodily harm OR death; OR (3) The threat was not immediate and imminent; OR (4) The defendant's belief was not subjectively honest OR not objectively reasonable; OR (5) The defendant's response was not proportionate.

If there is any part of the above that you would like to discuss in private, my fee is $250 per hour.
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The above information is being posted for general discussion and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
You should always consult with your own lawyer about your specific situation.
 
I'm not your friend Mr. Lawyer and if you want to make enemies here you are well on your way if you persist in posting blatantly bogus information. I let your 1st indiscretion slide [8" exit wounds/.45 ACP] but you kept at it with your special effects show.

Even TWO to THREE inch exit wounds are typically only seen from .30/.30s or deer rifles.

Try posting factual information, you may be surprised at how well you will get along with everyone.
 
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link2derek said:
Furthermore, if you recall, the original subject of this thread was a legal question.
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While it is true that the OP was a legal question, you chose to "illustrate" something else with an exaggeration. :thumbdn:

People in this forum like close tolerances and precision.

Everybody knows that a firearm is a better weapon than a knife(being new, you probably have not viewed threads discussing that) and has been discussed to death. You posted your opinion. This being the internet, you will find others with a contrary opinion.

link2derek said:
If there is any part of the above that you would like to discuss in private, my fee is $250 per hour.
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I guess solicitation is not unethical for lawyers, ;)
 
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Typically speaking, emergency room physicians will tell you that knife wounds on average appear much more "brutal" than gunshot wounds.

With a gunshot wound, typically, you have a hole on one side and if the bullet passes all the way through the body (which hollowpoints are designed not to penetrate completely through the body) you have a hole on the other side. Usually not much bigger than the entry hole, as skin and tissue is extremely flexible. (talking about handguns, not shotguns or rifles. And not large magnum calibers as most street thugs are not carrying a .50 Magnum Express)

Of course, handgun bullets can be very lethal. In todays times, a juror shown a picture of a bullet hole in a body is not near as shocking as showing a persons chest carved open by one swift swing of a sharp blade used in defense.

Its all in perception. Guns have started to become accepted as a source of self defense. Look how many states now have concealed carry laws.

Knifes, unfortunately, are not usually thought of as a self defense weapon by the general public. Knives are portrayed in the movies as something being carried by the street thug criminal, a mugger, etc.

You dont see the good guys strapping a Tanto Knife on their hip in the movies.
 
Man, this is getting hard-core! Once again, folks, it depends what part of the body is shot, slashed or stabbed. Col. Charles Beckwith, founder of the Army's elite Delta Force, took a 12.7 mm bullet from a Soviet-made heavy machine gun right through the gut while he was a passenger in a UH-1 chopper over Vietnam. He survived and continued his distinguished military career. Other people have been either killed or permanently disabled by small-caliber rounds (remember Reagan's press secretary, Jim Brady, paralyzed for life by a .22 rimfire bullet?). Sometimes, a knife is the only option for self-defense. International bodyguard and author Leroy Thompson recalled several instances where he couldn't carry a concealed firearm. One was during an assignment in The Netherlands, which has strict anti-gun laws. He picked up a couple of inexpensive, but sturdy, lockblade folders at a cutlery shop in Amsterdam to carry while protecting his businessman client.
 
I live in Canada. I have never used a knife in self defense, but I'd be prepared to. I've pulled out my bowie several times and each time, me being right, they just ran off. Most criminals aren't too stupid. They understand the basic thing - it's better to run off, than risk your life - and even if you win the fight, you'll be chased after for manslaughter.

The only thing I can tell you is never let a police officer you're carrying a knife for self defense. They'll think you're looking to use it as a weapon. I know a guy who went to jail for a month before he was cleared. He cut up some guy's arm real bad after he started getting beat down hard, and when the police came and took it, he just tried to cooperate. He said he had it with him for self defense. In court, it was completely spun around against him. People were saying "Oh, he KNEW he was going to get into a fight, so he was carrying this in anticipation of stuff going down" etc.
 
"get into a fight",.. sometimes the fight comes to us unasked just ask Jim Conley about Kayson Helms [deceased] who he had to shoot. It's hard sussing alot of violence though due to every little no-count pissant gang banger claiming self-defense every time they shanked someone in a planned assault.
 
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