New Jersey carry laws

J

Joe Talmadge

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
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Did a search, but all NJ threads were from 2002 or older. Thought I'd ask for a refresh in case any new laws have been passed -- what are the most recent knife carry laws, particularly around folder blade length? Previous threads seemed to indicate no length law, or perhaps 5" length law. thanks!

edit: Note I found Bernard Levine's page on this below, though don't know when it was last updated:
http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/nj.txt


Joe
 
I'd really like to know too, I don't wanna lose any of my EDC's to a cop for any reason.
 
I was there as recently as early last year and I (or the officer I'd talked to) hadn't heard of anything new.

Then again, any number of them that I talked to didn't know what the legislature was at all -- depending on who you ask, or which district you were in, it ranged from "It's illegal to carry a knife" to "as long as it's shorter than the officer's palm" to "There are no laws about carrying a knife". Once, I do believe the supervisor looked it up and did manage to find the 5" statute.

As for Levine's... Keep it under 5" and don't be a fool and you should be fine.

I carried a 3.5" folder for 4 years and it never posed a problem...

IANAL, and as you said, things may have changed recently.

-j
 
As far as I am concerned New Jersey has the most strict knife laws. Most people who I know have a phobia of knives. A lot of people tell me that the police use the "four finger rule". Carry at your own discretion.
Hope this helps.

New Jersey - Code of Criminal Justice - 2C:39-3 e. Certain
weapons. Any person who knowingly has in his possession
any gravity knife, switchblade knife, dagger, dirk,
stiletto... or razor blades embedded in wood, ballistic
knife, without any explainable lawful purpose, is guilty
of a crime of the fourth degree.
- 2C:39-1 h. "Gravity knife" means any knife which has a
blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof
by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal
force... p. "Switchblade knife" means any knife or similar
device which has blade which opens automatically by hand
pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in
the handle of the knife... u. "Ballistic knife" means any
weapon or other device capable of lethal use and which can
propel a knife blade.
- 2C:39-6. f. Nothing in subsections... shall be construed to
prevent... (2) A person carrying a firearm or a knife in
the woods or fields or upon the waters of this State for
the purpose of hunting, target practice or fishing,
provided that the firearm or knife is legal and
appropriate for hunting or fishing purposes in this State
and he has in his possession a valid hunting license,, or,
with respect to fresh water fishing, a valid fishing
license.
- 2C:39-9. d. Weapons. Any person who manufactures, causes to
be manufactured, transports, ships, sells or disposes of
any weapon including gravity knives, switchblade knives,
daggers, dirks, stilettos... is guilty of a crime of the
fourth degree.
- 2C:39-9.1... Any person who sells any hunting, fishing,
combat or survival knife having a blade length of five
inches or more or an overall length of 10 inches or more
to a person under 18 years of age commits a crime of the
fourth degree...

New Jersey Case Law:
- "Concealment was not a necessary element of the offense of
carrying a dangerous knife." (1973)
- "Concealment of weapon at time of incident constituted
important factor of offense of possession of dangerous
knife." (1971)


http://www.knife-expert.com
 
I only see 5 inches mentioned regarding selling a knife to someone under the age of 18.

"2C:39-9.1... Any person who sells any hunting, fishing,
combat or survival knife having a blade length of five
inches or more or an overall length of 10 inches or more
to a person under 18 years of age commits a crime of the
fourth degree..."

If you find the 5 inch rule mentioned in any other contect, let me know, because I just bought a 5" Cold Steel El Vaquero for carry, under the understanding that it is completely legal. If it's illegal I won't carry it, but I still have not found this 5" rule anywhere.

Regards,
cds1
 
Ok guys, i think i have found something of substance. However it does not look too promising.

171.5. c.2 Any knife with a blade length in excess of four inches, the blade of which is fixed in an unguarded position by the use of one or two hands.
Penal Code Section 12020 & Section 653k
Anything capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon is illegal. All concealed knives are a felony (except non locking folders). .

from http://www.just-pocket-knives.com/html/knifelegal.htm

Basically, once the officer finds the folder on you, it's really up to him. Little factors like politness, how you dress, your demeanor and whether he is having a bad day is going to determine how it plays out. I would have a really hard time trying to offer a good explaination for why I would be carrying a five inche folder when stopped by a police officer in a city. If you do decide to carry the Grande, I would certainly advise against it in New Brunswick and Princeton.

Sincerely,
Kyle
 
That's listed there under California law, not NJ law. You made me nervous for a moment...
 
kidwholaughs said:
If you do decide to carry the Grande, I would certainly advise against it in New Brunswick and Princeton.
Click to expand...

It suppose depends on who stops you.

I carried a CRKT M16 (3.5" or so) and a 710 (4") for a while in Princeton and the officers that I knew were pretty cool about it.

I suppose the 5" Grande would be a little excessive.

As I mentioned, a lot of officers just don't know the laws.

Then again, they were the same folks that granted me my firearms license and handgun purchase permit... it DID take them a little over a year... sigh

-j
 
And I thought that I waited along time for my firearms permit. I "only" had to wait about 8 months.

Actually the 5 incher isn't even the "Grande". The Vaquero Grande is a 6 incher. Even I wouldn't go that far...

In any event, I think I am going to try to change my order for the 4 incher if it hasn't shipped yet. This is just too much of a headache.

Regards,
cds1
 
First of all, let me apologize for my last post. It was very late last night and I had somehow misread the website. I didn't mean to spook cd about the vaquero. If there is one thing that we need in this state is more knife lovers to turn this bad perception around. It would be great if more people would enjoy knives sensibly and carry responsibly. I understand that Jersey has very strict rules on knives. Still now, I have faith in the sensibilty police officers that if you have a legitimate reason to carry a knife (other than self defense), they would understand and cut you a break.
 
cds1 said:
That's listed there under California law, not NJ law. You made me nervous for a moment...
Click to expand...


Just for the record the California law listed on that web site is out of date, so I am not sure how reliable it is.

Best regards,

Argyll
 
If those length laws are for real then Kmart and Walmart should be brought up on charges. You can go into either one and buy an 18" blade machete in the camping department.
 
Piney said:
If those length laws are for real then Kmart and Walmart should be brought up on charges. You can go into either one and buy an 18" blade machete in the camping department.
Click to expand...


Actually, as long as you can state a legitimate reason for having it, such as work, hunting, clearing brush, etc. there is no problem. I work in the pressroom of a large newspaper and everyone has use for knives there.

I have alot of friends here in NJ that are cops and mostly they all say the same thing. If you're not doing anything wrong, they dont really care what you carry. If used in the commission of a crime, a 1" blade can be charged as a deadly weapon.

You are correct though that alot of cops dont really know what the law is concerning knives.
 
I agree with Dave. I also had also asked a policeman about NJ knife laws, and he said the same thing. It's not how long it is, it's how you use it:)

Switch blades, daggers stilettos are NOT legal.

Julian
 
I own a 4" Cold Steel Triple Action tanto style knife, and our squadron is getting ready for a deployment to NJ. I am kind of curious as to what category the knife really falls into. If anyone could help me out, it would be greatly appreciated.
 
Callak said:
I own a 4" Cold Steel Triple Action tanto style knife, and our squadron is getting ready for a deployment to NJ. I am kind of curious as to what category the knife really falls into. If anyone could help me out, it would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
I would think that it's a gravity knife, making it illegal :) Sucks because I think it's a cool looking knife. Sorry to be the one to give you the bad news.
 
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