New Jersey Knife Law

I've had three run-ins with the law in which I had a knife on my persons, once was when i was carrying a leek (I was stopped for questioning...?) the officer asked to see it played with it for a bit and handed it back and I was on my way.A Second occurrence where i was stopped for questioning (I live by the shore and apparently dreadlocks and tattoos on a white 23 year old makes you a suspect...my fault i suppose) i was carrying a manix 2 and even though i was put into a car for a few minutes they never said anything about the pocket clip or the knife. Another time I was actually arrested and had a delica and a leatherman juice, when asked why I had a knife I asked the cop why he carried one in a non-sarcastic way and explained it was for every day tasks and that they were tools. I explained that I thought everyone should carry at least a small knife on them. When I was finally released I was handed both my TOOLS back and was on my way with the addition of a few hefty fines (The arrest was not knife or violence related). At my old job I also worked in front of a lot of cops at a dog training facility and would edc either my zt0300 or cr umnumzaan and they wouldn't even bat an eye at them if I had to use it in front of them. Sorry for the ranting but as bad as new jersey can be with strict laws i have never once had a knife confiscated from me
 
I am 19 going 20 and I purchased a switch blade knife, something like the one pictured below, and my 15 year old brother, stupidly, brought it to school. He is an average student with decent grades, part of the students against destructive decisions club, and he thought that the blade looked cool so he brought it in hopes of being cool. A stupid decision was made. He was detained after some students reported it to the teacher, he was sent to the local police department for questioning.

In one month my parents took my brother to a psychiatrist, doctors and many therapists to see if there was anything wrong with him including anger management, or suicidal thoughts or acts. All came back negative meaning he has no intentions on causing harm onto himself or others. Within that month the school gave my brother his sentence, allowing him to not return to school until October. In the month of September he will be home schooled provided by the school. However, that isn't the big problem. Actually the big problem is the Police Officer who detained him. The police officer told us that the crime is considered minor since it is his first offense and he just made a bad decision however the police placed a complaint he filed against my brother! Now it is a STATE offense.. No idea what to do.. Any help???


http://cdn3.iofferphoto.com/img/item/132/402/73t9/Pt56rzvwAUTuQyq.jpg
 
I am a 4th year medical student and I have subinternships in EM in NJ (I am applying for emergency medicine residencies). Do you guys think I'd be okay carrying a Benchmade 915 Triage (3.5 inch blade)? My legitimate reason for carrying it would be for use in emergency medical situations.
 
Because of my job (I am a personal trainer) I require cpr training. I went a bit further and got my "First response" CPR/AED/First Aid Red cross certification. Its something that you should get the next time you have the chance for many reasons, even if it doesn't apply to your job.

I keep both certifications in my wallet (they're just printed cards).

While not an EMT or anything, "first responder" essentially means, I'm trained to properly assess and care for emergency situations until EMT or other trained personnel arrive on the scene.

Anyway, I went down to NJ to visit a friend last week. I had my ZT 0350 in my pocket purely out of habit, driving down from NH where we have no knife laws (what a concept!).

We walked down to the local store to grab some energy drinks (late night video gaming sessions!!) a police officer was filling up his cruiser, saw the pocket clip, and decided I must not have a legal reason to have a knife on me.

He confronted me as soon as i left the store, and asked "Hey there, any reason you have a knife on you?"

And I said "Of course."

him: "Why would you need a weapon to go to the store?"

me: "Im not carrying any weapons, I left my handgun at home because I'm from out of state. (in retrospect, probably didnt need to mention this, but i said it! lol..) I do have a knife on me though as a tool in case of an emergency situation."

I took out my red cross card, "I'm a certified professional rescuer, I have a knife in case I need to free somebody from a car or any other reason that you probably are carrying a knife as well" (Thats what it says, though the course is for "first response")

He just sort of looked at me weird, I took my card back, and I told him to have a good night.



So if you need a reason other than potentially saving somebody's life with CPR, go take a first response class and have one more reason to carry your knife around.
 
Paul Z said:
Because of my job (I am a personal trainer) I require cpr training. I went a bit further and got my "First response" CPR/AED/First Aid Red cross certification. Its something that you should get the next time you have the chance for many reasons, even if it doesn't apply to your job.

I keep both certifications in my wallet (they're just printed cards).

While not an EMT or anything, "first responder" essentially means, I'm trained to properly assess and care for emergency situations until EMT or other trained personnel arrive on the scene.

Anyway, I went down to NJ to visit a friend last week. I had my ZT 0350 in my pocket purely out of habit, driving down from NH where we have no knife laws (what a concept!).

We walked down to the local store to grab some energy drinks (late night video gaming sessions!!) a police officer was filling up his cruiser, saw the pocket clip, and decided I must not have a legal reason to have a knife on me.

He confronted me as soon as i left the store, and asked "Hey there, any reason you have a knife on you?"

And I said "Of course."

him: "Why would you need a weapon to go to the store?"

me: "Im not carrying any weapons, I left my handgun at home because I'm from out of state. (in retrospect, probably didnt need to mention this, but i said it! lol..) I do have a knife on me though as a tool in case of an emergency situation."

I took out my red cross card, "I'm a certified professional rescuer, I have a knife in case I need to free somebody from a car or any other reason that you probably are carrying a knife as well" (Thats what it says, though the course is for "first response")

He just sort of looked at me weird, I took my card back, and I told him to have a good night.



So if you need a reason other than potentially saving somebody's life with CPR, go take a first response class and have one more reason to carry your knife around.
Click to expand...
Once again, pocket clip = TROUBLE! Reason #1 I removed the clip from my folder as soon as it came out of the box.
 
TOM1960 said:
Once again, pocket clip = TROUBLE! Reason #1 I removed the clip from my folder as soon as it came out of the box.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I just have it there out of habit because I live where cops aren't giant retards about someone having a TOOL. I hate having a knive jangling in my pocket, the clip is extremely useful, plus its much easier to access that way. If im not breaking a law, I dont mind talking to cops, the more I "inform" about knives the better I guess..
 
I'm sorry to speculate, but there has to be more to some of these examples than mentioned or some may just be completely fabricated, although I'm not doubting there are some cops that really don't know their job and others who simply give us all (yea I'm a 33 year old retired NJ cop with a bunch of tattoos and a uncop like haircut) a bad name.

Here is the deal with NJ laws... They are confusing, contradictory and sometimes downright moronic, but the knife laws are some of the more simple laws.... The only things that are cut and dry illegal are what's listed as illegal.

As for what's questionable there are standards in NJ that police are to use when making inferences to build reasonable suspicion or probable cause for an arrest... They are: "The reasonable person standard" and "Totality of Circumstance" and they are simply defined as this, "What would other reasonable people (not necessarily people in your niche) think about your actions ie would they consider them reasonably suspicious? (Reasonable suspicion is the standard a cop must reach to stop you for an inquiry ie to be able to articulate his/her actions).

Totality of Circumstance means that, either while considering something suspicious or during a stop for questioning, does the circumstances around the action, including reasoning by the person stopped, equate to a logical reason why someone is doing or has something that would otherwise be unreasonable or illegal. In this case we are speaking of knives.

This, in a nutshell, is how the parts of the NJ laws left up to speculation by residents are interpreted in a court of law or how a police officer SHOULD logically think while he is determining how and why to take action. The problem is, like with anything else, there is a human element involved and that element is A) the mindset, understand of the laws, intelligence of the officer, etc. and B) almost the same criteria for the person being stopped or the person in this case carrying the knife that may be construed as illegal. How well can you articulate why you have that knife and in all honesty do you really have a need to carry that particular knife at that particular time or is it based on cool factor. (Obviously I'm talking about someone with a very large knife on their person). If you are not honest with yourself about why you have it, believe me it will be transparent to a lot of other people including the police.

Without giving too much detail, I can tell you I have let people go who are in possession of machetes while arresting others for being in possession of a steak knife... All based on reasonable person standard and totality of circumstance lending to the development of probable cause.

For a quick example someone walking into a Walmart with a 12" knife in the Delaware water gap portion of New Jersey known for hiking the A.T. will most likely receive a different reception by the public as someone carrying the same blade walking into Walmart in Hoboken NJ outside of NY City and that's what's important because that is "the Reasonable Person Standard".

Hope I helped a little.
 
I almost forgot to add that again the only "on sight" illegal knives devises are the ones outlined in NJ Criminal Code 2C and were already copied and pasted to this thread... Just because reasonable articulable suspicion is reached by an officer to talk to you about your knife, ie some scared old lady called from the parking lot, that is still a long cry off from probable cause to make an arrest. You will have the opportunity to explain yourself so do it, but even if you can't necessarily articulate why you have the knife still doesn't make it illegal to possess unless its outlined in 2C. Usually items that aren't illegal as per 2C only become illegal when they are used to commit a crime.

Ok I think that's it. Shew!
 
I've read the list of illegal knives, but I'm not up to speed myself on what knives are considered gravity knives, switchblades, etc. Do flippers fall into any of these illegal categories?
 
i wonder what a NJ cop would think about a medium size knife in my boot (kinda makes my pant leg bulge a tad on my lower leg) , I am a traveling mechanic who uses that knife atleast 3 times a day... .so what if a cop inquires about it??sure I got the gift of gab and im sure I can confidently state my case to have the "Tool" on my persons..but since I dont advertise a knife on me by "showing it off" ( you better believe my pants go OVER my boots like a REASONABLE PERSON , I suppose a cop could still make my life tough...real tough....also, I wonder if im accually going to be up sh*ts creek should I be spotted at the gas station or acme when I stop on my way home....I wonder since I clearly forgot to take my knife out of my boot, if that cop will pull technicalities on me,

Now heres my opinion:

I know it all depends on the cop, I just wish that our laws would considered the cop factor and CLEARLY LEGALIZE the right to carry ( open or not ) .....im sure public opinion would suggest that Im no more a scumbag for stabbing someone with a kitchen knife or stabbing them with scissors ( both sold at walmart btw).....oh and i can buy an axe and a machete in the same isle .I am SUPER happy that its illegal for someone to stab or threaten me no matter what they use.....i fell very safe with those laws...

So why do we need these laws about knives again?
 
busterbags said:
I am 19 going 20 and I purchased a switch blade knife, something like the one pictured below, and my 15 year old brother, stupidly, brought it to school. He is an average student with decent grades, part of the students against destructive decisions club, and he thought that the blade looked cool so he brought it in hopes of being cool. A stupid decision was made. He was detained after some students reported it to the teacher, he was sent to the local police department for questioning.

In one month my parents took my brother to a psychiatrist, doctors and many therapists to see if there was anything wrong with him including anger management, or suicidal thoughts or acts. All came back negative meaning he has no intentions on causing harm onto himself or others. Within that month the school gave my brother his sentence, allowing him to not return to school until October. In the month of September he will be home schooled provided by the school. However, that isn't the big problem. Actually the big problem is the Police Officer who detained him. The police officer told us that the crime is considered minor since it is his first offense and he just made a bad decision however the police placed a complaint he filed against my brother! Now it is a STATE offense.. No idea what to do.. Any help???


http://cdn3.iofferphoto.com/img/item/132/402/73t9/Pt56rzvwAUTuQyq.jpg
Click to expand...


This worries me. Did he get into trouble because of this section?

- - e. Firearms or other weapons in educational institutions...
(2)Any person who knowingly possesses any weapon enumerated
in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1
or any components which can readily be assembled into a
firearm or other weapon enumerated in subsection r. of
N.J.S.2C:39-1 or any other weapon under circumstances not
manifestly appropriate for such lawful use as it may have,
while in or upon any part of the buildings or grounds of any
school, college, university or other educational institution
without the written authorization of the governing officer
of the institution is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

For me, this part of the law is the most confusing. Say I'm EDC'ing a knife and then happen to walk into a school zone to pick up someone. By crossing into that zone without permission to carry my knife specifically, is that breaking the law?

In your case, if the school as rules about knives, would a rules saying knives with blades under 3" OK count as written permission to carry?

Thanks
 
vr6glx96 said:
I figures i would post this for fellow citizens of Jersey (this is a copy/paste)

- 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.
Click to expand...

Well fuck me raw! It was a good idea to check here before buying a karambit :sorrow:

Maybe Ill just get one without the wave... ugh

I knew I shouldnt have gotten so excited upon my discovery of karambits lol
 
New Jersey law is basically be unarmed at all time, be a proper vitim at all times, let the police handle all aspects of your life, be prepared to give what you have over to the collective good, don't question, just obey and above all...sleep.
 
I've been here two years now and the laws here continue to amaze me. I'm a gun guy and jumped through all the hoops and sh!t to get my FOID card. They even sent a township patrol car to my home to verify I lived here. Do people, good or bad, actually go through all the BS and lie about where they live??? They didn't come to verify my residence for my DL, which allows me to drive a 6000lb truck @65mph. Stupid... stupid... stupid...

Just last week I bought my first bow. I went all out and went with a 2113 Hoyt Spyder Turbo w/various goodies.:D Since being new to bows it kind of amazed me how hard a 325fps arrow hits a target. It really boggles my mind that I have to fill out a 4473 to buy a BB gun but don't need anything to buy a bad@ss compound bow or crossbow. How many people actually die every year by a freakin' BB???

I have, for years, tried to understand the libtard mindset. I've come up blank, time after time. I reckon, by definition, that makes me insane. But still, day after day, I try to find the logic behind what's happening in this state and across the country to no avail. I just try to stay low and vote these @sshats out of office with the hopes that the rest of NJ and the country wake the f**K up soon!!!
 
Ok. First let me start by saying that im sorry for bringing up an old thread but I have some questions. Within the next few weeks I am going to be taking a trip to my home town. Its a small town near rutherford and about a 20 min drive outside of NYC. Latley my EDC has consisted of a PM2, Victorinox camper, Fenix LD22, a bic lighter and my phone. In my small backpack I keep an ESEE izula. Bassicly I was wondering how legal all this is. I carry my PM2 at work for cutting up boxes and my victorinox because having a bottle opener, a corkscrew, a can opener is very useful where i work (In an irish pub). The knives just end up in my pocket regardless of going to work or not. As for the izzy I use it as a small camp/hike knife. I plan on going for a hike up to ramapo state park while in jersey. So how legal is all of this by NJ law. Should I just carry my SAK and my flashlight? Or is my normal setup ok?
 
Sorry to bump an old thread, but I live here in NJ and I normally carry my SAK and my flashlight but I would like to add a 3" folder maybe a spyderco/Chris Reeve or if i can acquire one then a HindererXM-18. Is this legal in NJ?
 
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