Legal stuff - how do you carry knives through knife-unfriendly places?

uyotg

uyotg

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Sep 5, 2010
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How do you handle this: Trying to carry a knife through an area where it is illegal until you can reach a place where it is acceptable--in my case, on public transportation in and around NYC while trying to reach a state park for camping. I haven't found a reliable solution. But I'm exploring options, so please don't limit your answers to my situation!

Lock boxes are heavy and bulky. Various smaller boxes, like tackle and lunch boxes, have no locks on them, and a lock, I imagine, would suggest not having malicious intent.
I've heard that carrying it in context, with other camping gear and a hunting license, also helps.
 
Mayor Bloomberg, is that you? :D

I'm sure you'll find nobody on this site will advocate doing anything illegal. Those who might do not represent the community at large.

A locked box, a bag or a tackle box with a little padlock sounds like a safe bet. :thumbup:
 
In theory, I would get a small locking toolbox or otter box and put everything in that, then inside a pack and stick to looking at my feet for the ride through.
 
Haha, as much as I love the responses, I'm also sad to say I see where this is going :P
Of course I'm not suggesting anything illegal, too, but more about how to optimize my chances of not being booked, keeping in mind of course the liberal room for interpreting laws. After all, you can carry a chef's knife if you're going to work without problems - but a camping or survival knife just plain "looks" more dangerous than a chef's knife.
 
Well they do random searches over here. Same reason I carry a knife - to be prepared just in case - is the same reason I'm concerned about this - to be prepared, just in case.

I read somewhere (maybe even on these forums) that they only inspect your bag, so if you keep them on your person, you're safe.
 
Yes here in NYC police can search your backpack, briefcase etc. Not your body.

Because riding the subway is a privilege you can simply say "I think I am going to walk :)" And decline your belongings be searched.
 
uyotg said:
Haha, as much as I love the responses, I'm also sad to say I see where this is going :P
Of course I'm not suggesting anything illegal, too, but more about how to optimize my chances of not being booked, keeping in mind of course the liberal room for interpreting laws. After all, you can carry a chef's knife if you're going to work without problems - but a camping or survival knife just plain "looks" more dangerous than a chef's knife.
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You have to be able to articulate the reason(s) why you are carrying the knife. Camping is a legitimate activity, but make sure that you have your sleeping bag or bed roll, backpack and other camping supplies with you. Keep the knife completely concealed at all times until you reach your campsite. Deep in the bottom of the main cargo compartment of your backpack would be the best place. This way, you could argue that you did not have immediate access to it in the highly-unlikely chance that you are searched by a LEO. You should be legal going to and from your camping trip, even under the draconian NYC interpretation of knife laws. I would not carry any knife, be it fixed blade or folder, with a blade longer than 4". That is plenty for camping. Heck, my hunting knife (a Cold Steel "Master Hunter") has only a 4 1/2" blade. Leave the bayonets, bowies, Ka-Bars and other dangerous-looking knives at home. Remember, if a cutting job cannot be handled by a 4" blade, you should consider using a hatchet.
 
I presume context is everything.

Is it illegal for someone to buy a kitchen knife and then travel home on public transport with it? I would think that if the knife was in a shopping bag and the person had a receipt then what they were doing would be considered "reasonable".

Put any bladed articles that you want to carry at the bottom of your rucksack, in a locked box or wrapped in your sleeping bag etc... This shows that you don't want to have instant access to them.

If stopped by the police then politely explain what you have and why you've got it.

Having blades with camping or fishing gear is a justifiable reason, at least in Britain anyway....
 
There's definitely some conflicts here - keeping them on your person (potentially quick access) and keeping them in your bag (where it can be randomly inspected). From what I know, honesty and transparency is best with these guys. My Fallkniven S1 is not within the legal definitions, but it does serve a purpose when camping.

I also heard that being in possession of one in your car, even in a lockbox, could get you arrested. I don't have a car, but it's food for thought.

Any recommendations for some light backpacking lock boxes? Or are there different terms or product types I can search? All these lock boxes and document boxes are heavy-duty and heavy.
 
uyotg said:
There's definitely some conflicts here - keeping them on your person (potentially quick access) and keeping them in your bag (where it can be randomly inspected). From what I know, honesty and transparency is best with these guys. My Fallkniven S1 is not within the legal definitions, but it does serve a purpose when camping.

I also heard that being in possession of one in your car, even in a lockbox, could get you arrested. I don't have a car, but it's food for thought.
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I believe there is an exemption for transporting to/from camping, hunting, etc. for blades > 4". My advice is to bundle it in with your camp tools (saw, hatchet, etc) or mess kit and stick in the bottom of your pack. Move it to a more accessible loction when you're on the trail or in camp.

Caveat, the cops may not be aware of this exeption and give you trouble anyway.

http://www.knife-expert.com/ny.txt


uyotg said:
Any recommendations for some light backpacking lock boxes? Or are there different terms or product types I can search? All these lock boxes and document boxes are heavy-duty and heavy.
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Are you required to carry a bear cannister when camping? It's heavy (2-3 lbs) but the best way so far to keep critters out of your chow.
 
Clang! said:
Are you required to carry a bear cannister when camping? It's heavy (2-3 lbs) but the best way so far to keep critters out of your chow.
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That is an awesome suggestion. I never thought of that - they're not required where I go regularly so I never thought of it, but if I have one already I might as well use it like that.

And kudos for catching the camping exemption. I've heard stories of people still being within the law but getting arrested anyway. Some people bring up the law and get let go, and some just get arrested for it anyway and have to bring it up in court...
 
Had a similar situation years ago ridding public transit to a range with my pistol. What i ended up using was a bank deposit bag that had a lock on it - this certainly wasn't ultra secure - but i figured that even if some over enthusiastic officer of the law arrested me - this probably wouldn't make it to court, However - I did modify my behaviour in one respect - used to routinely hitchhike while waiting for the bus -didn't do this to and from the range -simply because it dramatically increased the odds of a stop and search.
 
uyotg said:
That is an awesome suggestion. I never thought of that - they're not required where I go regularly so I never thought of it, but if I have one already I might as well use it like that.

And kudos for catching the camping exemption. I've heard stories of people still being within the law but getting arrested anyway. Some people bring up the law and get let go, and some just get arrested for it anyway and have to bring it up in court...
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If you get falsely arrested, you should also be bringing it up in CIVIL court during the course of a lawsuit against the officer and his/her department. Sometimes, that is the only way overzealous clowns masquerading as LEOs learn their lessons. ;)
 
uyotg said:
That is an awesome suggestion. I never thought of that - they're not required where I go regularly so I never thought of it, but if I have one already I might as well use it like that.
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I started using them for backing since it required in the Sierras. I switched to using them for car camping after the %$^&&^% squirrels chewed open my bag of gorp.
 
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