Massachusetts knife carry laws

toomanyknives

toomanyknives

Joined
Dec 31, 2005
Messages
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I am new to Bladeforums and have read a lot of great threads over the past few weeks. One question that I have never been able to get answered (even by the police) is the legal blade limit for knife carry in Mass. Does anyone know what the limit is? Thanks for the help.

Jack
 
From the website of Mr. Bernard Levine (http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/ma.txt)
"Whoever, except as provided by law, carries on his
person, or carries on his person or under his control
in a vehicle, any stiletto, dagger or a device or case
which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn
at a locked position, any ballistic knife, or any knife
with a detachable blade capable of being propelled by any
mechanism, dirk knife, any knife having a double-edged blade,
or a switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring
release device by which the blade is released from the
handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches..."

Is that 1.5" thing at the end ALL knives, or just ones that use an "automatic spring release device by which the blade is released from the
handle"?
The only thing I know for a fact is that in Boston blades of more than 2.5" cannot be carried; neither can autos or balisongs.
 
There is no state-wide limit on blade length that I know of for knives not such as those described in the quoted piece above, I think that's why the police can't answer it. As was said Boston has its own limit. Other cities may have their own local laws but I've never heard anything for certain in that regard.
 
I believe you could argue the length requirement refers to automatic knives.
if you take the phrase ", having a blade of over one and one-half inches,"
out of context it doesn't make any sense. All of the other reference specify a specific type of knife.
if the statement ", having a blade of over one and one-half inches," was a stand alone statment it would then apply to all knives ie kitchen knives, table knives and hunting knives.
carry and use it resposibuly and you wont lose it.:p
 
There is no state length limit. Recently, a sword was confuscated but had to be returned due to no legal limit on blade length. Local regulations may differ. My friends who are police officers say that if someone gives them a hard time they will confuscate any knives, etc. and make that person go to court to get them back.
 
I know within the city of boston the limit is 2.5 inches, but the rest of massachsetts I have no idea...

CITY OF BOSTON

Be it ordained by the City Council of Boston, as follows:
That CBC, Ordinances, Chapter 16 be amended by inserting the following new language:

16-45 PROHIBITING THE CARRYING OF KNIVES OR
SIMILAR WEAPONS

16-45.1 Carrying of Weapons Prohibited. No person, except as provided by law, shall carry on his person, or carry under
his control in a vehicle, any knife having any type of blade in excess of two and one-half (2 1/2") inches, (except when actually
engaged in hunting or fishing or [delete … in going directly to and/or returning directly from such activities, or any
employment which requires the use of any type of knife), … end delete] any employment, trade or lawful recreational or
culinary activity which customarily involves the carrying or use of any type of knife, or (b) in going directly to and/or returning
directly from such activities, or (c) if the knife is being transported directly to or from a place of purchase, sharpening, or
repair, and if packaged in such a manner as not to allow easy access to the knife while it is being transported), ice picks,
dirks or similar weapons that are likely to penetrate through police officer's ballistic vests, or other object or tool so
redesigned, fashioned, prepared or treated that the same may be used to inflict bodily harm or injury to another.
16-45.2 Distribution Exception. This section shall not apply to persons who, through entities or establishments engaged
in a recognized retail or wholesale business, are involved in the sale, purchase or repair of knives for trade, sport, hobby or
recreation, including without limitation persons engaged in the transportation to or form such entities or establishments.
16-45.3 Applicability. Nothing in this section shall be construed to enhance or diminish any duties of persons described
in section 16-45.2, and this section shall not be introduced or cited in any proceeding as evidence of negligence,
recklessness, or similar state of mind of such persons.
16-45.4 Penalty. Violators of any provision of this ordinance shall be subject to a fine of not more than three hundred
($300.00) dollars for each offense.
16-45.5 Severability. The provisions of this section shall be severable and if any section, part, or portion hereof shall be
held invalid for any purpose by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of such court shall not affect or impair any
remaining section, part or portion thereof.
16-45.6 Effective Date. This section shall take effect immediately upon its passage. [Ed. Note: Passed 12/12/01]
 
I don't think that you will have any terrible legal hassles if you:
1. Don't display, flourish, or brandish the knife threateningly
2. Don't commit a crime using the knife, or possess the knife during the
commission of a crime
3. Don't antagonize a police officer during a traffic stop, giving
him legal cause to search your vehicle or person, discover the knife,
and take legal action against you (i.e. confiscate the knife, cite
you, or arrest you for possession of it.)
4. Don't carry the knife concealed on your person, and carry a knife that
is not a "stiletto, dagger or a device or case
which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn
at a locked position, any ballistic knife, or any knife
with a detachable blade capable of being propelled by any
mechanism, dirk knife, any knife having a double-edged blade,
or a switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring
release device by which the blade is released from the
handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches."

Most police officers are reasonable people, and they too carry knives for utility purposes. Err to the side of caution, and don't carry something that is obviously a weapon. Your style of dress, attitude, and several other factors could also contribute to whether the knife is considered a weapon or tool.
I have carried a knife for years and have never had a problem with the legalities of it. I try not to carry, or carry concealed, knives that are considered weapons in MA, like a double edged knife, automatic knife, spring assisted knife, push dagger, and I prefer not to carry fixed blades at all. Stick with a small (>2.5"-3") folder, or something that many people are familiar with, like a buck 110, swiss army knife, etc.

Act maturely and reasonably, and most police officers will too.

Pete
 
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