Pennsylvania Knife Laws

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luvsogknives

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Jan 3, 2010
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Im going to Pennsylvania later today and need to know their knife laws. i normally carry either my BM 710, or my SOG flash II and dont know if they're legal. HELP
 
You should be fine. Only Autos are illegal in Pa. I would advise against having a knife clipped to your pocket if you're going to Philly. The weapon laws in Philly are much stricter than the rest of the state.
 
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You're fine most anywhere. I live in Philly (in the ghettoooooooooo) and have never been hassled for a knife clipped to my pocket. I regularly carry a 710, Endura, Chinook, ZT, Military, etc.
 
puukkoman said:
You're fine most anywhere. I live in Philly (in the ghettoooooooooo) and have never been hassled for a knife clipped to my pocket. I regularly carry a 710, Endura, Chinook, ZT, Military, etc.
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That's encouraging......and different from my experience.
 
Yeah... I've heard various rumors of stricter rules within the city limits, like a $100 fine + confiscation for a knife over 3", etc., but have not experienced them.

Otherwise, in the state of PA you can pretty much carry whatever you want as long as it's not an auto or double-edged (and you're supposed to openly carry fixed blades, NOT conceal them... but I would most definitely not do that in the city... folding knives only for me, unless it's winter and I'm at work out on the boats. Most cops aren't going to hassle a guy who's just trying to do his job, and besides, I'm not going to run into them while I'm in a secure shipping terminal climbing up the mast of a ship).

I think the key is just the same as anywhere else... if you're doing something else wrong already, they'll try to tack on whatever they can (if you've got a knife, then they'll try to "weaponize" it unless it's small). Otherwise, your chances of getting approached because of your knife are very slim.
 
i know here in philly your not allowed to carry a knife. i carry my zt350 on me for 5 months now and never had a problem. most cops have a lot better things to worry about then your pocket knife. just don't carry it in center city i do think that is only place you would have a problem.

if your getting padded down though your going to lose the knife.
 
ar0maticdecay said:
i know here in philly your not allowed to carry a knife.
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Incorrect.

ar0maticdecay said:
most cops have a lot better things to worry about then your pocket knife.
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This is our saving grace... they have real criminals to worry about most of the time, so they tend not to hassle people over small stuff.


ar0maticdecay said:
if your getting padded down though your going to lose the knife.
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Correct. (but that's just because the cops can get away with theft)
 
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puukkoman said:
Incorrect.


This is our saving grace... they have real criminals to worry about most of the time, so they tend not to hassle people over small stuff.



Correct. (but that's just because the cops can get away with theft)
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acually i'm right. carrying a knife in philly is illegal unless it's work related. if law was just recently changed then it might be different.
 
Here is the full statute for Philly:
§ 10-820. Cutting Weapons in Public Places. 189

(1) Definition.

Cutting Weapon. Any knife or other cutting instrument which can be used as a weapon that has a cutting edge similar to that of a knife. No tool or instrument commonly or ordinarily used in a trade, profession or calling shall be considered a cutting weapon while actually being used in the active exercise of that trade, profession or calling.

(2) Prohibited Conduct. No person shall use or possess any cutting weapon upon the public streets or upon any public property at any time.

(3) Penalty. The penalty for violation of this Section shall be a fine of not less than three hundred (300) dollars and imprisonment of not less than ninety days.
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This is a link to the direct law itself. I rather dislike that PDF from handgunlaw.us because it is both vague and has several inaccuracies.

To answer your question rifon2, chef's knives are would easily fall with the "tools of a trade" exemption mentioned above.
 
glistam said:
Here is the full statute for Philly:


This is a link to the direct law itself. I rather dislike that PDF from handgunlaw.us because it is both vague and has several inaccuracies.

To answer your question rifon2, chef's knives are would easily fall with the "tools of a trade" exemption mentioned above.
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eh it was good enough to get my point across that u cant carry. only took me 10 sec to find that. i did say that u could carry if it was part of your job.
 
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