Machete in DC Home

The Zieg

The Zieg

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Jan 31, 2002
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Pretty sure I've decided this falls into the "not illegal" category, but would like additional input from the crowd. Having an 18" machete in one's home within the boundary of Washington DC: Legal or not? (I've read some of case law and seen the statutes as posted on this forum and others.)

Not talking about open carry, putting it in your pant leg to go down the street, or even having it your car--trunk or otherwise. Talking about in the home.

Zieg
 
There is no law anywhere in the United States that would prohibit ownership of a machete within the home. Not only are knife laws within the home generally unenforceable for all intents and purposes, but it would automatically fail legal tests due to it being applicable to kitchen knives, garden tools and lawnmower blades.
 
DC really doesn't have much in the way of "you can't have that" knife laws (like they do/did for guns) except for autos...their laws are more about what you do with them. They have enhancement charges for both violent and nonviolent crimes that call for stiffer penalties if committed "while armed" and while in possession of a "dangerous weapon", but not much in the way of forbidden to possess wording. In the case of a machete at home, no issue I see there.
 
Although the information is not specific to Washington DC. Machete Specialists (stocks and sells many different machetes) has information concerning legal issues, shipping and importation of these useful tools. There should be no big problem with a standard, single edge machete useful for trimming branches and edging a lawn if it is perceived as an agricultural tool. Of course, check local laws in your city.
 
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