Open Carry - Colorado?

Z

Zak Smith

Joined
Oct 6, 1999
Messages
17
Does anyone have experience with either:
a. open carry of a fixed-blade, >3.5", or
b. concealed carry of same, or
c. open carry of folder > 3.5", or
d. concealed-carry of same ?

You can spare descriptions of how I will be arrested and have my car confiscated if I get caught in Denver. I try to avoid it on principal.

The fixed blade in question would be a Benchmade Nimravus (140HS), and the folder would be a BM710HS, or a BM730. If the 140HS is too unwieldy, I may acquire a BM145HS.

I am aware that Colorado State Law forbids concealed carry of any knife with a blade over 3.5", however, it would appear as if open carry of those blades is legal. I do have a CCW, which should be an affirmative defense if I actually get charged with something.

I appreciate any experience you guys have to share.

thanks
Zak
 
In many cases, and many states, open carry of all sorts of things is not illegal. This does not necessarily mean it is adviseable.

On the legal side of things, openly carrying a large knife creates a 'brandishing' hazard, or at the minimum, something people can try to call brandishing. It also creates a problem if it begins to rain, and you put a jacket on, or you get cold, etc. If you can not show it is affirmatively a fishing/hunting knife, you could be in trouble. On the polite side of things, your average town (Springs included) doesn't see too many people wandering around with a knife strapped to their belt. Some places (Your average town in Alaska, a good number of towns a bit further away from denver and the springs in colorado) see such carry more often. Shopkeepers may look at you funny, people may cross to the other side of the street, and someone may complain to the police. This doesn't mean it's illegal, but having the police coming to check on the "Weird guy walking down the street with a knife" is going to be annoying for said weird guy.

Concealed carry of smaller blades typically falls under the 'normal pocketknife' thang. I have never seen a 'normal pocketknife', nor a store where you could buy one. I hope mine all fit that category. Extremely aggressively styled knives could have legal problems here. Ponder how much that 'cool' look is worth to you. The Civilian, were it to fit the length laws wherever you were, would probably not pass as a 'normal pocketknife'. Also be aware that if you do decide you need to carry a large FB on your belt, there are places you cannot go with it legally. These can include, and are not limited to, libraries, post offices, schools, museums, courts, and any other federal, state, or public building. Texas makes it easy to spot such places. They have signs out front, in spanish and english, that say you may not bring a fire arm inside. But then, most other stores did too. Silly texans...

In the end, concealed carry of large or otherwise illegal knives is very bad. Open carry of large knives is not bad, but may not be good. Open carry of 'normal pocketknife' type folders is not bad, and in pocket (concealed) carry of 'normal pocketknives' is good.

You could also ask Sal Glesser, or the friendly staff at the KnifeStoreFormerlyKnownAsIronstone, now the Spyderco Factory Outlet. And since you are close, and I am not now, go anyways, and buy many good things.


Stryver, rambling onnnn
 
I am aware that Colorado State Law forbids concealed carry of any knife with a blade over 3.5", however, it would appear as if open carry of those blades is legal.
Click to expand...
This is correct. However, a while ago I was looking through some court cases in Colorado and came across a bummer. A man was charged with carrying a concealed weapon; a folding knife. The blade was exactly 3.5" long, but the prosecutor measured the blade length from the tip of the blade to the pivot joint. Using this method of measurment, the knife was illegal to conceal and the man was convicted.
frown.gif


Having said that though, I should point out that it's normally hard to get a conviction with concealed knives cases. It's unlikely that you'd even be arrested for such an offense although, if you commit a more serious crime, the prosecutors may tack it on.

As far as the concealed weapons permit: I don't have one, but it's my understanding that you have to list the specific weapons you wish to carry. Having a permit for a specific gun wouldn't help you with knives, but you could probably get a few knives listed on the permit as well without much trouble. I'm not sure that you have to list your weapons, but I think that's how it works.

You can spare descriptions of how I will be arrested and have my car confiscated if I get caught in Denver.
Click to expand...
Does Denver have a knife law that is different from the state law? Some cities make their own laws that differ from state laws, so you might want to check the city you live in too. I recently moved here from Greeley and haven't looked through Denver laws yet.
 
As you can see I do not live in Colorado, but I have spent allot of time there in the last 15 or 20 years. Just about all of it has been over on the Western Slope working on construction sites in Aspen, Telluride, and Pagosa mostly, but have spent a lot of time in Glenwood, Montrose, Durango and such.

I have always carried exactly what I wanted as far as knives go, as did everyone else I knew, including concealed fixed blade knives. I never had any problem, never knew anyone who had a problem, and I never heard of anyone's brother's wife's cousin's friend who did.

I don't know how this related to Fort Collins however. The Western Slope is part of Colorado, but the atmosphere and the attitude is much different than the Front Range in general, or Denver in particular.

I feel just the same way you do about Denver.


Mike
 
So it seems that "open carry" of knives is pretty much the same as "open carry" of firearms - technically legal, but generally a bad idea.

cerulean: Although some states do require you to list the weapons on your CCW, Colorado is not one of them. I can carry any pistol with my CCW, and the state law makes no mention of only carrying particular weapons (knives or guns) with regard to the CCW.

If you want to check the Denver Laws, go to http://www.municode.com -> Online Library -> Colorado -> Denver -> Title II, Chapter 38. I just checked, and they also have a 3.5" rule, however, I'm pretty sure you'd be hassled a lot more in Denver.


In summary (??):
a. open carry of any fixed blade is probably asking for trouble

b. concealed carry of a small <3.5" fixed blade is probably OK (it's legal, anyway), but will arouse suspicion if discovered

c. concealed carry of a large fixed blade is asking for trouble, but seems legal with a CCW

d. any folder < 3.5" is always legal (ignoring the measurement issue), however extremely "tactical" designs might arouse suspicion

e. large (3.5" - 4") folders might be OK if carried in a way considered "open" (which is probably up to any officer who confronts you), and are probably OK if they are considered concealed, and you have a CCW.

Do this sound pretty accurate? Any comments?

Stryver: Where is the Spyderco outlet? I'll have to check it out.

thanks
Zak
 
Zak,

Spyderco Outlet is I believe physically located at Spyderco in Golden.


Mike
 
Zak,
The Spyderco Factory Outlet, or TheKnifeStoreFormerlyKnownAsIronstone, is located just north of Golden on your way to Boulder. From Denver, take I-70 westbound, and exit at highway 58, the Golden/Colorado School of Mines/Coors exit, go past Golden, and turn right onto highway 93 towards Boulder. Roughly a mile later you will reach the store, on your left. It was not a highly visible location, but did have a rather conspicous 'Open to the Public' sign. Spyderco is located somewhere to the south, off 6th avenue. Rumor has it, if you stop by Spyderco Proper, they will sharpen, free of charge, and spydercos you carry. The outlet will too, you just have to ask them to demonstrate one of the 204's...
smile.gif


My brain farted, and I inserted C. Springs as your hometwon the first time I replied. My guess is that Ft. Collins would be slightly less knife-conscious than the Springs, or anywhere near Denver. My Sister lives in Greeley, and aside from the campus, they seem much less knife-worried. I do not know how this would carry over to having an LEO find a blade concealed on your body, or carrying a large blade openly. Me, personally, I prefer to be entirely legal, and arouse little suspicion. This is a bummer, because I have many blades I'd love to carry somewhere. Oh well...

Stryver
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top