Lockblade Prohibitions?

[satin]

Hello all - I'm trying to get a basic idea of where in the U.S. and Internationally locl-blade folding knives are prohibited. No real need to cite statutes or anything, just let me know if you know of any-place that does ban locking folders or locking folders over a certain length. I'd have posted in Knife Laws, but I thought I'd get a better responce here.
Its much appreciated, thanks.

 

[J-man_the_jet]

Atlanta, GA - a bi law banning lock-blade knives over 2.5" (I think) but plenty of people have carried a 3" blade locking folder.

New York City - a bi law prohibits carry and sale of a folding knife with a locking blade if the blade length is over 4" i.e. if a cop was on your case even your Spyderco Police would be illegal to sell or use outside your house even thought it's on 1/8" difference.

England - How ever the BKCG (British Knife collectors guild) dosesn't say anything about a lockback law. Currently in England a 3" blade and it must have the capability of folding is the limit for carry without good reason. Some say carrying a locking knife you would need "good reason" I know lots of brits who don't think there is a locking blade law and some they think there is due to a grey ruling by a judge. I personally think there isn't.

Knife laws of the 50 states (look in GA for Alanta laws and NY for NYC laws)

 

[Gadgetman7]

The limit for locking blades in Atlanta is 3 inches but I'm not sure it's really enforced. Also, there is some question as to whether a carry permit covers knives. If so, there would be no blade limit.

 

[GarageBoy]

So 4" fixed blades are legal here in NYC?

 

[J-man_the_jet]

Garageboy, yes, but not too sure about carrying. Any knife in NYC with a blade larger then 4" that is folding that locks open is prohibited. It doesn't apply to fixed blades (when sale and simple possession apply adleast).

 

[frank k]

Originally posted by GarageBoy
So 4" fixed blades are legal here in NYC?

Here's a link to the NYS & NYC knife laws -

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/ny.txt




- Frank

 

[maximus otter]

Satin,

I am a UK police officer with 28 years' service.

Any knife or tool which has a locking blade is illegal for EDC in the UK, no matter how long or short the blade is.

The only knife legal for EDC here is a 3" or less, slip-joint folder.

The carriage of other types of knife is legal only if you have a specific, current need. This might include an angler carrying a filleting knife, a ghillie with a 4" skinner etc.

Knives Act 1997

Offensive Weapons Act 1996

Criminal Justice Act 1988 (See sections 139 to 142 inclusive):
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_19880033_en_1.htm

Case law establishing that lock knives are illegal as EDC:

http://www.hrcr.org/safrica/arrested_rights/Harris_DirPubPros.htm

The Restriction of Offensive Weapons Acts 1959:

The Restriction of Offensive Weapons Acts 1959 makes it an offence for any person to manufacture, sell, hire, offer for sale or hire, or to expose or to have in his possession for the purpose of sale or hire, or to lend or give to another person a flick knife or gravity knife.



maximus otter

 

[UltraSteele]

When last I heard- from a knife shop right in Boston's Quincy Market- In Sept of 2001 Boston passed a law prohibiting the carry of ANY knife over 2.5 inches. Its been a while since I checked back on that.

There was some sort of clause about posessing one immediately on the way to or on the way from work, but I don't remember if it reffered to knives larger than 2.5 inches or further limited you right to carry even those.

Anyone else know?

 

[brownie0486]

Thats is the correct length restriction in boston as of 9-11. 2.5 inches.

My LaGriffe is legal, my Tarani Karambit is legal, it's not a big deal to me, I have enough that fit the law on me and know how to use them.

2.5 inches of blaed? Plenty to defend with. I can't see why they made the restriction though as it was all over a box cutter on a plane which is still not illegal in Boston [ they are not 2.5 inches long, blade length anyway ].

I travel to Boston quite frequently with larger knives and I don't see the cops looking for clipped knives on pockets for possible prosecution.

Actually, I see several of them [ BPD's ] daily who have junk folders on them that are in violation [ they are not exempt from the same laws we are ].

Brownie

 

[satin]

thanks for the info guys.

Anyone know of any area that classifies a friction folder (with the tang that serves kind of like a lock with your hand around it) as an illegal locking blade?