LEO opinions regarding civilians concealed knife carry?

I am not LEO but I will weigh in with my own personal experience.

Right, Wrong or Indifferent, the way you dress and conduct yourself has a far greater influence on whether the knife in your pocket is considered a concealed weapon than the laws do.

Is this fair? Probably not. But realizing it can go a long way toward avoiding trouble.

Let's face it Law Enforcement Officers are human beings and the Knife Laws are too numerous and inconsistent for them not to use personal judgement.

My experience has been that most Law Enforcement Officers are not interested in hassling innocent civilians. Many are interested in heading off potential trouble before it starts.

So, if you look like trouble or talk like trouble and have a knife that MIGHT be a violation of Concealed Weapons laws they are probably going to talk to you about it and you may lose your knife or your freedom.

What does trouble look or talk like? I am not sure. I guess it varies from officer to officer based on experience. I have been fortunate enough to not fit the profile so far.
 
Several years ago I was having my car searched by a local cop and it was discovered that there was bayonet with a twenty inch or so blade under my seat. The officer turned to me and asked "what the heck is this". To which I replied without hesitation "why it's a camping tool". He then tossed it back on the floor board, wrote me a ticket for speeding and sent me on my way. IMHO when dealing with cops/prosecutors a tire knocker is a tire knocker and a knife is a tool.
chet
 
"A camping tool" LOL!!!

Seriously Chet, I would suggest you don't test another LEO's sense of humor by letting him/her discover a bayonet under your seat in the future...it may not go so well for you next time. THAT, my friend, strains the boundary of reasonableness for passenger-compartment tools!!!
 
Wow, you guys have some issues to deal with! I take that back, everyone seems to know the answere to this question except our can't "read between the lines" host. I agree with the gray theory and being appropriately dressed..as not to look like a scumbag will greatly reduce your chances of having a run in with the law. Let's face it, if you're that worried about carrying your favorite blade...you probably should be knifeless!
 
Salamander wrote;
...everyone seems to know the answer to this question except our can't "read between the lines" host...
Click to expand...

(Thank you , interpreter of All States/City/County (ordinances) Criminal Statutes & Procedures code books)

Don't FLAME me , Okey Dokey...?
 
I live in Ca. and when i was 16 years old I was stopped by the local police while driving my car through their town. In the car on the floor in the back seat was my entire bayonet collection about 20 or so at the time even a meat cleaver was there. He asked if he could search the car and i said yes. He saw the bayonets and asked if I was starting a civial war I told him I was a collector and I went home with my collection.I have also carried a knife for some35 years fixed blade and folders and pocket knives and have never had any problems with the Law or other people. IMO I do think it is the way you carry and how you conduct yourself that makes the difference.Most police are worried about the criminal type and profile they fit.It is not hard for them to pick out some one who will be a problem. They do it every day, so the best way is not to fit the profile.
 
I ran into a "County Police Officer" at the BP gas station tonight , the following were his answers to some of my questions;

1) Over three" inches in blade length = illegal. Under three" inches in blade length = legal.

2) Whether the clip is showing or not , concealed or not as long as the blade is NOT over three" inches.

3) If minding my own business = okay. If caught committing ANY crime (shoplifting) extra "charge of concealed weapon" that he would use because he can.

4) A CCW permit holder carrying a pistol in a authorized area (mexican carry) "NOT holstered" would be considered carrying a concealed weapon even though I have a CCW permit. He said that even he as a Police Officer is not allowed to carry a pistol "unholstered". I should have asked him if that was on duty or off-duty?

 
I beg to differ with the "...if you look like a scumbag" rule.

I believe I fit into this catagory (by sheeple standards)...... several Tatoos, multiple piercings, sleeves cut off of all my shirts. Overall, I've been described as having quite a "menacing" look. (I like it, it keeps the @$$holes away)

If anyone is a target for the Police, it's me, yet I carry Butterfly knives on me every day.......concealed. In NJ this is VERY illegal.

IMHO (and my experience), it's how you act, react, and answer their questions, that decides the outcome of the situation.

If a LEO asks why you have a knife and you say " for self defense", It, and you, are gonna be gone because your PRIMARY reason for having it (and you admitted it) is to stab, slice, or cut someone. This is one instance that I actually agree with the police.

A knife is a tool FIRST. Until you can see it that way, you're going to loose.

You want to defend yourself, learn how to fight. If you don't know how to fight, a knife won't help you anyway.



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Clay G.
www.balisongxtreme.com


 
Hey guys!
Heres a thought.
How about asking your local State Attorney's Office about carry laws as THEY are the ones who will be prosecuting your butt. If possible, get it in writing (good luck on that one).
smile.gif


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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.


 
You're possibly missing the point. The real legal issues (esclation) begin when you decide to pull out that folder in your pocket - doubly so when you open it.

 
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