OH fixed blade laws??

[Donna V]

I live in cincinnati. Is it legal to carry a fixed blade knife if its concealed?? not a dagger but something like a buck 119 or coldsteel kobun. how about a bayonette if the edge on the backside was ground off??

 

[glistam]

Ohio has some of the most vague knife laws in the United States. It states:

(A) No person shall knowingly carry or have, concealed on the person’s person or concealed ready at hand, any of the following:
(1) A deadly weapon other than a handgun;

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2923.12

No useful definition of any sort is provided for what constitutes a "deadly weapon." It's pretty much up to the cop looking at it. However, take note that the law only prohibits concealed carry. If you open carry, it's perfectly legal unless the area you carry in makes you look suspicious or causes alarm among other people (e.g. carrying a bayonet in an urban shopping mall) which could result in disorderly conduct or menacing citation.

Cincinnati municipal code contains some language about "Dangerous weapons" which includes a "bowie knife" or a "dirk." These are not defined. Minors are prohibited from possessing "dangerous weapons," and adults are prohibited from giving or selling them to minors (and are actually criminally liable if they fail to take them away from minors if they are aware of possession), and they cannot be possessed in schools or city government buildings.

 

[pacificmanitou]

I live in Dayton, and Im wondering the same thing. From what I can tell, the state policy is to leave discretion to the local authorities. I know cities all seem to have their own ideas on what you can and can't carry, and the definition of "open" and "concealed" varies locally too. For example, in Beavercreek and Fairborn (suburbs), I think its open carry provided you can see and identify the knife. If that means a handle in your pocket, then that is considered open carry. Most municipalities have some type of restriction on blade length for concealed folders and fixed blades. I think its 3 inches for fixed where I live. In rural areas, where Im from originally, it seems like you can carry anything short of a sword, and a machete is seasonally allowed. I have a friend in Cincinnati who started carrying a 5" fixed when he moved to OTR. He looked up the legal restrictions of the city and UC, where he attends school, before hand and bought something that he couldnt be arrested for. He is military, not sure if he's given special treatment for that. Im not sure on these laws, but I carry fixed blades and this is my experience with police. If anyone has any solid laws it would be great to know.