Laws on throwing knives

[troyjg270]

I live in New York State and I want to practice with throwing knives. I'm curious whether or not throwing knives are in fact legal in the state. I've read on websites that they are and others say they're not. I want to know which is true

 

[Renaissance-reborn]

New York State I'm fairly sure they are illegal, along with throwing stars. I'll search around and see if I can't find anything definite.

 

[Renaissance-reborn]

Follow up:

on this site, I was unable to locate anything on throwing knives in the state of New York.

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/

That seems to be a very legitimate site. HOWEVER, be sure to check your city/town laws as well, as they can set their own laws on the subject.

 

[Bobby Branton]

I would check your local laws also.

 

[P.Brewster]

First of all, rhetorical questions: What is a "throwing knife"? During the process of knife manufacture, starting with shape cutting and ending with sharpening, at what point do we have a knife? The commonly accepted definition of a "knife" is something with a sharp cutting edge or blade. By this definition, a "throwing knife" with an unsharpened edge is not a knife. It is a pointy piece of metal used for recreation. I'm not a lawyer and my intention isn't to argue these points - just something to think about.

Anyway, most laws look at three things:
(1) Is the weapon specifically banned? The list usually includes automatic knives, stars, blackjacks, billy clubs, brass knuckles, etc.
(2) Is there criminal intent? This is somewhat circular because some laws assume criminal intent if point (1) is met, much like drug laws.
(3) Does the weapon have a generally accepted lawful use, or is there some other acceptable excuse?

Carrying weapons in public is very different than using them on your property.

Read this http://knife-expert.com/ny.txt (change "ny" in the url to see another state). I skimmed over it, but it looks like NY is pretty tolerant of throwing knives.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

First of all, rhetorical questions: What is a "throwing knife"?

..... deleted stuff....

Read this http://knife-expert.com/ny.txt (change "ny" in the url to see another state). I skimmed over it, but it looks like NY is pretty tolerant of throwing knives.

Various laws vaguely refer to throwing knives as (paraphrasing here - I forget which state's laws I read it in. ) ::

an object designed to be thrown that can "puncture" something or someone.

This how they cover all types of throwing instruments, e.g., throwing stars, knives, spikes, etc...

With respect to the web-site in the link, be careful with the information contained. It may not be up to date for your state. I checked for my state (Texas). While it refers to the proper section, it has not been updated. Switchblades are no longer even illegal, much less prohibited. Switchblades simply have to meet the state criteria for being a legal knife, i.e., single edged and less than 5 1/2 inches long.

 

[chemistguy]

if you use them at home only, throwing at a target, then you should have no problems. if you carry them around you might have a problem.