legal issues with certain knives

J

Jerseyjoe

Joined
Nov 15, 2001
Messages
5
I have carried knives for several years, and never had any real legal problems. In my more "free spirited" years it seemed as if I was getting pulled over at least once a week, and had many dealings with police. Never did I get charged with weapons offenses. I did get some knives confiscated, but no real problems. The knives I usually carried on my person, and in my vehicle included folders in the 3.5" to 4" range, fixed knives like Ka-Bar, and even a push-knife I made myself. Just a week ago today, a police officer found a knife similar to a Karambit in my car. Although the blade was only about 2" long, he decided to charge me with possesion of a prohibited weapon. I think the reason he decided to charge me was because it's an unorthodox blade in western culture. It looks intimidating. Have any of you had similar experiences?
Also, I am about to buy a new knife for day to day carry. My two top choices include the Cold Steel Ti-Lite or the Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn full size folder. Anyone have opinions on either of these knives, or another suggestion? Please note that I'm not going to drop more than $150 on any one knife.
 
You need to get some competant legal advice in your area. Watch out for blade-length limits. The Applegate-Fairburn may be over-length in many jurisdictions. The Gerber Covert folder is probably OK in most areas. Same knife, but a bit smaller.

Welcome to the Forums!
 
I don't hear good things about the cold steel or the gerber. You may wish to run a search.
 
Good luck with your legal issues. Regarding the Cold Steel vs Gerber question: stay away from the Ti-lite from what I've heard and seen. I've handled one, and they are a pain in the arse to open with one hand. Do a search from the threads and you'll get a good idea about what other forumites think. Honestly can't say anything about the Gerber.

-Al-
 
I would recomend you getting the smaller covert Gerber because the blade is legal in most states and the blade steel is ATS-34 instead of the old 420 HC on the larger model. THe Covert also has the added safety lock to keep the knife from closing on the old fingers if the line lock fails. The pocket clip on the Covert is also reversible for leftside carry.;)
 
A little over a year ago I checked with the state police in PA,NJ, and DE regarding the maximum legal blade length for pocket knives. In DE it was 3 inches. In PA and NJ it was the old "width of the palm" standard. I don't believe local municipalites can override state law just as state law cannot supercede federal statute.
 
NJ actually has no stated limit - that's the problem. The prohibition is against "dangerous knives", whatever that means. I stay away from carrying any fixed blades at all, except maybe a CS Ready Edge around my neck when on a fishing boat.

As for your legal troubles, I recommend Evan Knappen. He wrote the book on NJ weapon law - literally. It's got a bright orange cover and is sold in gun stores. Check out www.njguns.com for references to him and other pro-gun lawyers.
 
You’re being charged with weapons possession and you want to buy a knife? Yes, here is where you belong :)
In regards to your choices, you seem to want an ”intimidator” knife. The knife that can stop a fight before it starts. Good Luck! The paradox you risk is more honest “sheeple” thinking YOU are the dangerous one. No they are not being stupid, it is a natural reaction to intimidation, intended or otherwise. It means more stares, more “why do you have weapon?”, more hassle, more trouble with the police. Also, you do not need an intimidator knife to repulse an attack. A fellow forumite posted a story of his being assaulted in a phone booth...until he pulled out his knife. The attacker ran away before even getting to the booth!

Another point he posted was “Be ready to use it if you pull it” (my words). If you rely too much on chasing away “bad guys,” you find yourself surprised when one calls your buff. I don’t know if that was your plan or not, but I remember the movie “Erik the Viking.” Tim Robbins beat up the skull men as their leader asked “Why don‘t you fight!” (or whatever) Their excuse: “Everyone always ran away before!” Also, my dad taught me that intimidation starts more fights that it stops. I never bothered to find out.

IMO, a “hunting” style knife is more expectable. It doesn’t fit the bad guy image so much. (Why do you need a hunting knife at work, you live in the city? yeah, yeah, yeah.) And they can be intimidating too. Instead of the Cold Steel Ti-Lite, I have a 4” Voyager (brag mode on). One day, I was opening a package (maybe a CD in wrapping, I forget) and pulled out my knife. The friend did a double take asking: Do you need to whip out your Kabar for that!? My response: Well, if you’re going to carry it, you might as well use it!

Just some food for thought.

I need to stop using “” I’ll wear the keys out!
 
Jerseyjoe,When are you going to buy this ,after you get out of jail.You say not to many legal problems but in your previous post about Aitor's you say you had one confiscated by the Key Largo Police and you have LEO's pulling you over.You are the kind of flake that shouldn't own a knife.People like you make it bad for the rest of us.Rant mode over,Dave:mad:
 
I am a little confused? I am trying to picture a LEO charging a respectable citizen with posessing a dangerous weapon, when the weapon was a knife as you described. Most LEO's carry knives and generally are very tolerant of GOOD CITIZENS who also carry a knife. Yes, yes, yes, there are a few LEO's who are cowboys, but as a general rule, I would NEVER bother a person, and I know the majority of LEO's would never bother a person who had in his/her posession a folder as they are a common everday tool. Auto knives are another story. Now, if the person stopped acts like an idiot or is engaged in some other conduct that is illegal, YUP, cuffed and stuffed and charge ya with everything I can. But I kinda think based on this and another "incident" where you lost a knife to LE that you are either engaging in other unlawful activity, or you are acting like an idiot. Sorry, but just like the guy who said he got busted for carrying a speed-assist, I do NOT buy your story as you MISSED the key FACTS!!!!
wolf:rolleyes:
 
My observation of the police in NJ is that they act as if they are East German Border Police wannabee's. I am sure that this attitude is not universal, but my experience as an out-of-state person in NJ was that freedom was never an issue, and "how much can we intimidate the cizizen" was the only issue on the table. I always feel like I'm on the wrong side of Checkpoint Charlie when I'm there.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Some people asked about why I have so many dealings with law enforcement, and why the officer who recently pulled me over charged me with weapon possesion. Fair enough. Here are the facts. I was pulled over for a motor vehicle offense. I was driving on the suspended list. I have never been charged with any violent crime. The worst trouble I have been in up until now was an arrest for marijuana in my teens. I have, however been pulled over numerous times (I guess I'm a lousy driver).
Regarding Key Largo, I was on vacation with some friends, and a couple of them were making too much noise at the hotel late at night. When asked to go back to their rooms and be quiet, one guy insulted the hotel employee. He called the sherrif's department to evict us all. I did nothing. In fact, as soon as the police arived, I told them about the knife I was carrying and let them take it. I wasn't arrested, or charged with anything.
Having said all that, I am not looking for an intimidating knife, just a functional one. If I need it for self defense, a longer blade is better. Thanks for the advice on knife selection.
 
I'd say that what ever you choose, choose it with the knowledge that a 2nd Offense would be a "Very Bad Thing" and I'd be very very careful to make sure that it complies with all State and Local Laws!

Just as a point to consider, I'm 40 years old, been carrying knives, (both fixed and folding) in varying degrees of open carry since I was about 15 years old. I have never been arrested for it, nor have I ever had one confiscated.
I drive within the speed limit, I do not drive on expired tags or invalid license, I dress neatly and project an image of "respectable citizen" at all times.

Something to think about, it may or may not apply.
 
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