Michigan legality question

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Apr 18, 2008
Messages
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I'm looking to better protect myself, yet I don't have the type of finances to purchase a handgun at this point. I have no problem owning a knife, and would prefer a balisong to keep with me when I'm out late at night. I just don't know how I go about ordering one online, whether I'll get in trouble for it...

I'm over 21, so that isn't a problem. I guess I'm asking if it's legal to have a balisong in Michigan and if it's legal to buy one online.

Thanks for your help.
 
Yeah, I know. It's not so much the carrying it with me that I worry about, it's buying it online and having the FBI bust down my door or something.
 
Yeah, I know. It's not so much the carrying it with me that I worry about, it's buying it online and having the FBI bust down my door or something.


i'm not a Lawyer and i work for a much smaller agency than the FBI, but i would guess they've got better things to do.

personally, i'll order ANYTHING from an American retailer as long as it does not say "cannot ship to (whatever state i'm in)" i feel the postal violation (if any) would be theirs not mine. while ignorance of a law is NOT a defense, it's hard to say you should've known better than to buy a knife on online.

do you really feel a Bali is your best bet, as far as a defensive blade? i'd give that some thought. i love bali's, but would not carry one for SD.

ETA - never rule out the power of Pepper :-D aint nuthin like OC.... especially when teamed up with a good blade
 
It's mostly a comfort issue. Most of the people I know carry buck knives but I'm a girl and for some reason bali's are more comfortable to carry.
 
I live in Michigan also. From what I understand, bali's are legal. Its the length of the blade, whether it is double-edged, and intent of the knife owner that governs. Also be aware of your local city ordinances. They can be stricter than state law.

If you wee stopped by the police and asked why you have a bali, what would you say? If you said for self-defense, it might indicate a pre-disposition to use it against someone. Something the police would not like. It really depends where you live too, in some places they are more adverse to knives than others.
 
I am realing with an issue at this very moment and I highly recommend against carrying anything short of a cane for self defense in Michigan.

(Just about everything else is illegal or can be enterpreted to be illegal)

I have already spent $1K and expect to spend another $1K before I am done defending my innocence.

To top it off I have been working actively in Michigan L.E. for 10 years or more now.

It would be much cheaper to get a CCW and a handgun, but be aware that Michigan has many rediculous rules that make CCW a PITA and keep the left leaning morons feeling good about themselves and their brand of activisim while putting the general public at greater risk.

Michigan has free crime zones, er..I mean crime free zones...where you may not carry a firearm or anything else that could be considered a weapon to include O.C. and tazers.

The knife laws stack on top of eachother and are at the descresion of the Sheriff or CLEO.

Study their public statements and talk to them yourself.

I am sure you will discover that the predominant attitude will be, "I can do as I please. You can do nothing about it. My word is the law regardless of what has been written."

Going through the court sysyem is expensive.

I don't recommend it, speaking from personal experience.

I believe I will win, but even in winning; I will loose a lot of money.

Sure I can sue the individual responsible, but I have been in the position to collect from these kind of suits before and know that I will spend another $500 trying to collect only for him to weasel out of garnishments and etc...

My answer to your original question is in the form of a question:

Do you have $3K that you are saving for a rainy day?

If not, dont do it.

The Balisong is likely illegal in more than one way and you will probably be charged with illegal CCW (Felony) if you are caught with it.

Too long, may be considered double edged, possibly illegal be design.
 
I own a couple balis and I live in Michigan. You can buy cheap ones at Mackinaw Island, so I'm pretty sure they are legal to own. However I wouldn't carry one, they could be a concealed weapon seeing how they don't look like a knife unless you are a knife person who knows that it is a butterfly knife. I don't think you would have any problem owning one but I'd think twice before carrying. I'd suggest getting a nice Benchmade pocket knife, I always carry one.

Does anyone know the legality of automatic knives in Michigan?
 
I used to have your exact same take on it, but trust me; at $1K poorer...I have a different point of view.

I have purchased autos at trade shows and gunshops in Michigan and thought nothing of it.

The wrong CLEO can interpret any law to mean anything, they dont even have to be literate.

Honestly folk, leave it be or fight the rediculous laws in the liberal state of Michigan by sending mail to Mike Cox instead of being your own case guinea pig.

(This advice is worth $1K worth of experience, I offer it for FREE.)
 
I own a couple balis and I live in Michigan. You can buy cheap ones at Mackinaw Island, so I'm pretty sure they are legal to own. However I wouldn't carry one, they could be a concealed weapon seeing how they don't look like a knife unless you are a knife person who knows that it is a butterfly knife. I don't think you would have any problem owning one but I'd think twice before carrying. I'd suggest getting a nice Benchmade pocket knife, I always carry one.

Does anyone know the legality of automatic knives in Michigan?

As a matter of fact I do.

First of all, regardless of what the law states, you may be prosecuted if the CLEO feels as if a crime has been commited.

Second of all, I have read and been told that these knives are federally allowed for LEO and emergency services, but Michigan law states that only specific disabled persons (amputees) may own such knives.

I have worked in L.E. for the past ten years or more.

I recently recieved some auto knives to give to disabled veterans (amputees) and have been told by the CLEO that these knives are illeagal for anyone in Michigan and are STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Never mind the fact that they have been for sale and on desplay in his buddy's sporting good store for more than twenty years, that would be an off-topic issue.

Besides that, where are you going to get a decent auto knife with a blade short enough to be legal in Michigan?

You would be better off defending yourself with a shovel.
 
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I want to own a bunch of Auto knives but I guess I'll wait until I have military/le id.

That is a pretty dumb law. I can see a law prohibiting the carry of auto knives but I think big time knife collectors and what not should be able to own them.

What is the legal carry length...isn't it 3.5 inches?

Off topic but I see you username is ret_marine and I see that you are in law enforcement right now. That's basically what I'm planning on doing, Marines for at least 4 years maybe more then I was going to go into law enforcement.
 
I want to own a bunch of Auto knives but I guess I'll wait until I have military/le id.

That is a pretty dumb law. I can see a law prohibiting the carry of auto knives but I think big time knife collectors and what not should be able to own them.

What is the legal carry length...isn't it 3.5 inches?

Off topic but I see you username is ret_marine and I see that you are in law enforcement right now. That's basically what I'm planning on doing, Marines for at least 4 years maybe more then I was going to go into law enforcement.

The Military ID may or may not help because many things are contraband on base and gov't property.

Working in L.E. doesn't necessarily help if you live in Michigan.

There are good places to work in L.E., but Michigan is becoming more and more like the far left and right cost states every day.

This may sound like sour grapes, but if I was a young single man I would look to live in a free state that has job opportunities.

If you want to work in L.E., go to college and do it. Make sure the MCOLES academy is included in your degree package. (If the college doesn't offer MCOLES certification then the program they are offering is corrections and not what you are looking for.)

If you want to see the world, join the Marines.

To give more insight on the particular incident I am dealing with, a terminally ill friend from out east sent me some auto knives to be used by local disabled veterans (amputees).

I am a veteran service representative for the American Legion and DAV.

I have been going through hell because the CLEO believes that nobody can receive these knives.

It is an election year and he was looking to score some brownie points at my expense.

I have to now defend my actions and we both get to go for a ride on the public opinion express. I suspect (as does his team) that I will win, but we will have to wait and see.

I have a solid public service record so he is going to have to go through hell trying to figure out how to successfully prosecute a saint.

The problem is that the law provided protection for the disabled but does not provide protection to those who provide tools to the disabled in any direct way.

The entire situation is nonsense, but on the upside; it may help encourage some better candidates to come forward and run against the individual who is busy trying to control the damage he just made for himself.

It may get the attention of the Michigan Attorney General (Mike Cox) and help reform some of these antiquated laws that no longer do justice.
 
Good information guys and girl(s). I have not had any trouble with LE regarding the knives I carry, but don't make a habit of carrying things I know are illegal (auto, boot, etc) and have been fortunate to have never used a blade as anything other than a tool.
 
Just doing a little late night research.

Here is a summary of Michigan laws that may apply to anyone here:

Michigan -750.226... Carrying with unlawful intent
Any person who, with intent to use the same unlawfully
against the person of another, goes armed with a pistol
or other firearm or dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or
knife having a blade over 3 inches in length, or any
other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument, shall
be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in
the state prison for not more than 5 years or by a fine
of not more than 2,500 dollars.

- 750.226a. Pocket knife opened by mechanical device...
Any person who shall sell or offer to sell, or
any person who shall have in his possession any knife
having the appearance of a pocket knife, the blade or
blades of which can be opened by a flick of a button,
pressure on a handle or other mechanical contrivance shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor... [Also, concealed carry may
be charged as a felony under 750.227.] The provisions of
this section [750.226a] shall not apply to any one-armed
person carrying a knife on his person in connection with
his living requirements.

- 750.227. (1) A person shall not carry a dagger, dirk,
stiletto, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of
any length, or any dangerous weapon, except a hunting
knife adapted and carried as such, concealed on or about
his or her person, or whether concealed or otherwise in
any vehicle... except in his or her dwelling house [or]
place of business... (3) A person who violates this
section is guilty of a felony...

- 750.222a Double-edged, nonfolding stabbing instrument defined.
(1) As used in this chapter, 'doubled-edged, nonfolding
stabbing instrument' does not include a knife, tool,
implement, arrowhead, or artifact manufactured from stone by
means of conchoidal fracturing.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an item being transported
in a vehicle, unless the item is in a container and inaccessible
to the driver.
History: Add. 2000, Act 343, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 2000 .


- 259.80f Possessing... certain items in sterile area of airport;
(1) An individual shall not possess, carry, or attempt to possess
or carry any of the following in a sterile area of a commercial airport:
(a) Firearm.
(b) Explosive.
(c) Knife with a blade of any length.
(d) Razor, box cutter, or item with a similar blade.
(e) Dangerous weapon.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3), an individual who
violates subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable
by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more
than $1,000.00, or both.
(3) An individual who violates subsection (1) while doing any of
the following is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for
not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both:
(a) Getting on or attempting to get on an aircraft.
(b) Placing, attempting to place, or attempting to have placed on an
aircraft an item listed in subsection (1).
(c) Committing or attempting to commit a felony.
(4) [Exempts most officials]...
(7) As used in this section:
(a) 'Commercial airport' means an airport that has regularly
scheduled commercial flights to and from other destinations.
(c) 'Sterile area' means that term as defined in 14 C.F.R. 107.1.
History: Add. 2001, Act 225, Eff. Apr. 1, 2002 .

- 380.1313 Dangerous weapon found in possession of pupil...
(1) If a dangerous weapon is found in the possession of a pupil
while the pupil is in attendance at school or a school activity
or while the pupil is enroute to or from school on a school bus,
the superintendent of the school district or intermediate school
district, or his or her designee, immediately shall report that
finding to the pupil's parent or legal guardian and the local
law enforcement agency.
(2) If a school official finds that a dangerous weapon is in the
possession of a pupil as described in subsection (1), the school
official may confiscate the dangerous weapon or shall request a
law enforcement agency to respond as soon as possible and to
confiscate the dangerous weapon. If a school official confiscates
a dangerous weapon under this subsection, the school official
shall give the dangerous weapon to a law enforcement agency and
shall not release the dangerous weapon to any other person,
including the legal owner of the dangerous weapon. A school
official who complies in good faith with this section is not
civilly or criminally liable for that compliance...
(4) As used in this section, 'dangerous weapon' means a firearm,
dagger, dirk, stiletto, knife with a blade over 3 inches in length,
pocket knife opened by a mechanical device, iron bar, or brass knuckles.
History: Add. 1987, Act 211, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1987 ;--Am. 1995,
Act 76, Eff. Aug. 1, 1995 .
Popular Name: Act 451

*

Michigan Case Law:
- "Constitutionality: The double jeopardy protection against
multiple punishment for the same offense is a restriction
on a court's ability to impose punishment in excess of that
intended by the Legislature, not a limit on the Legislature's
power to define crime and fix punishment. People v. Sturgis,
427 Mich. 392, 397 N.W.2d 783 (1986).

- "Purpose of this section is to prevent quarreling or
criminal persons from suddenly drawing weapons without
notice to other persons." (1980)

- "Purpose of concealed weapons statutes, such as this
section, is to prevent men in sudden quarrel or in
commission of crime from drawing concealed weapons and
using them without prior notice to their victims that they
were armed, inasmuch as person attacked would behave one
way if he knew his assailant was armed and perhaps another
way if he could safely presume that assailant was
unarmed." (1969)

- "The basic intent of the legislature as indicated in
concealed weapon statute was that weapons should not be
carried when they might be used to take lives." (1968)

_ "...the 'dwelling house' exception to the concealed weapons
statute did not apply to defendant who was incarcerated in
state prison at time of alleged commission of such
offense." (1978)

- "Purpose or intent with which a weapon is carried is not an
element of offense of carrying a concealed weapon." (1973)
- "Jury's determination that knife sharpening steel, which
defendant... contended he carried only for protection...
was a concealed weapon, was justified." (1971)

- "Straight razor in pocket of defendant was 'concealed'..."
(1967)

- "Daggers, dirks, stilettos... and similar articles,
designed for the purpose of bodily assault or defense, are
generally recognized as 'dangerous weapons per se'..."
(1945)

- "Pocket knives, razors, hammers, hatchets, wrenches,
cutting tools, and other articles would constitute
'dangerous weapons'... if used or carried for use as
weapons." (1945)

- "An ordinary jackknife with a pointed blade 3-5/16 inches
long was not a 'dangerous weapon...' in the absence of
evidence that it was used or carried for use as a weapon."
(1945)

- "Five-inch, double-edged, nonfolding knife was not a
'hunting knife' within hunting knife exception..." (1989)

- "Defendant charged with carrying concealed weapon had
burden of proving that hunting knife was 'adapted and
carried as such'..." (1980)
 
i live in michigan, and my uncle was in a parking lot repairing something on his truck, and was using a butterknife with the tip broken off to repair something, (i think he was at autozone) and a cop stopped him and saw the butterknife on the dash and arrested him for carrying a "dangerous" weapon, long story short the judge dismissed the case because when the cop asked my uncle why he had it he said, "i was using it as a screwdriver" and the judge said he didnt have the butterknife as a weapon but was using it as a tool, just goes to show you what the cops r like in my area at least(westland)
 
The Military ID may or may not help because many things are contraband on base and gov't property.

Working in L.E. doesn't necessarily help if you live in Michigan.

There are good places to work in L.E., but Michigan is becoming more and more like the far left and right cost states every day.

This may sound like sour grapes, but if I was a young single man I would look to live in a free state that has job opportunities.

If you want to work in L.E., go to college and do it. Make sure the MCOLES academy is included in your degree package. (If the college doesn't offer MCOLES certification then the program they are offering is corrections and not what you are looking for.)

If you want to see the world, join the Marines.

To give more insight on the particular incident I am dealing with, a terminally ill friend from out east sent me some auto knives to be used by local disabled veterans (amputees).

I am a veteran service representative for the American Legion and DAV.

I have been going through hell because the CLEO believes that nobody can receive these knives.

It is an election year and he was looking to score some brownie points at my expense.

I have to now defend my actions and we both get to go for a ride on the public opinion express. I suspect (as does his team) that I will win, but we will have to wait and see.

I have a solid public service record so he is going to have to go through hell trying to figure out how to successfully prosecute a saint.

The problem is that the law provided protection for the disabled but does not provide protection to those who provide tools to the disabled in any direct way.

The entire situation is nonsense, but on the upside; it may help encourage some better candidates to come forward and run against the individual who is busy trying to control the damage he just made for himself.

It may get the attention of the Michigan Attorney General (Mike Cox) and help reform some of these antiquated laws that no longer do justice.

That guy must be a real scumbag...if a guy who lost his in combat cannot have a auto knife to make things easier for him.....then there is something seriously wrong! :mad:
 
A screw driver could do just as much damage as a switchblade.....moronic laws....so called evil guns and so called evil knives........a criminal does not care about knife laws or gun laws.....these laws only infringe on our God given rights as law abiding citizens.
 
By my reading, the Michigan law seems to outlaw Kershaw Speed Safe knives.

It's just like anything else, I think it's all about 'attitude'. If you get one LEO who went into the field because they had their lunch money stolen in grade school, and now they are out to get payback, they can find 100 things to lock you up for.

But the (hopefully) more common LEO, when I confide that I have a CCW, and yes I am armed, are they really going to care I have a Kershaw with a less than 3" blade? Doubtful.
 
I collect knives...I do not carry....my knives stay at home....accept if I am going camping....then I wear a hunting knife on my belt! :)
 
Just doing a little late night research.

- 750.226a. Pocket knife opened by mechanical device...
Any person who shall sell or offer to sell, or
any person who shall have in his possession any knife
having the appearance of a pocket knife, the blade or
blades of which can be opened by a flick of a button,
pressure on a handle or other mechanical contrivance shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor... [Also, concealed carry may
be charged as a felony under 750.227.] The provisions of
this section [750.226a] shall not apply to any one-armed
person carrying a knife on his person in connection with
his living requirements.

Speed Safe doesnt use a button, or pressure on handle. It is assisted opening not mechanicaly triggered you need to overcome tension before it will deploy unlike a button.
 
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