NC law regarding autos

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Hey-Mikey

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Oct 18, 2009
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North Carolina's knife laws can be described as ambiguous at best, but while looking at NC firearms law I found this tid bit I thought was a little entertaining.

"Federal law, found in 15 U.S.C. § 1243, prohibits the manufacture, sale, or possession of a switchblade knife. An exception to this federal crime is allowed for a switchblade knife with a blade three (3) inches or less in length, possessed by a person with one (1) arm."

Now for the disclaimer, I in no way have anything against any amputee, never have and this thread is in no way meant to denigrate anyone. I just wasn't expecting to find it when I did. This may be old hat for all I know, I apologize if it is. That is all.
 
Whoever wrote that interpretation of 15 U.S.C. § 1243 is a moron and I don't care what credentials they have. § 1243 only applies to federal land (not state) and that is abundantly clear in how the law is worded and enforced. And the exception for one armed persons is not part of that statute. It's under § 1244 which also has several other exceptions like contract sales to the military.

15 U.S.C. § 1242 is one of note, and it only applies to switchblades when "in interstate commerce" (defined as sale over state lines).

North Carolina doesn't actually have any kind of ban on owning or selling switchblades. Carrying them concealed is likely restricted under the phrasing of § 14‑269, though they not specifically mentioned by name. They are only mentioned under § 14‑269.2
, where they are prohibited from possession on school grounds.
 
Sorry if I was quoting a mis-quote of actual law. I had no intention of leading someone to believe this was accurate and probably shouldn't have presented it as such. I was reading a pdf someone had put together and the whole one armed man thing struck me as kind of funny. Back to the ambiguity of NC knife laws. The law allows for carrying concealed an "ordinary pocket knife". I may think an auto is "ordinary" whereas an LEO, a judge and jury may not agree.
 
Hey-Mikey said:
Sorry if I was quoting a mis-quote of actual law. I had no intention of leading someone to believe this was accurate and probably shouldn't have presented it as such. I was reading a pdf someone had put together and the whole one armed man thing struck me as kind of funny.

Back to the ambiguity of NC knife laws. The law allows for carrying concealed an "ordinary pocket knife". I may think an auto is "ordinary" whereas an LEO, a judge and jury may not agree.
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Ah I see. I thought it was listed in some official capacity and my remarks where targeted at whoever wrote rather than yourself.

It has always amused me that there is a one-armed person exception; yet another symbol of how outdated (1950s) and pointless this law is in light of how easy and fast most manual folders are to open one-handed.

With NC, this is true in that the label of "ordinary" really lies with the LEO and the judge, not the carrier. Though technically speaking you can carry an auto openly, and it's not as foolhardy as it sounds. Most autos do not have anything about them all that different than a manual folder, and most people would not be able to tell it's an auto without messing with it.
 
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