Phila/NJ Laws

S

soccergod04

Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Messages
685
I'm about to travel to southern NJ and Philly for work and was wondering what the laws and the enforcement of the laws is like in these areas.
 
NJ's laws are completely pointless. Basically, they state that, other than switchblade, stilletto, dirk, dagger, basilong, etc., which are just illegal, you need a valid lawful purpose to carry a knife. Basically, unless you go bopping down the street with a kabar hanging off your belt or if you start playing with a big old nasty looking blade right in front of a bank or something, you'll be alright. You won't get into any kind of trouble for carrying a reasonably sized folder unless you do something incredibly stupid. As for Philadelphia, I think you should be okay with a normal pocket knife. I think the cops there have better things to do than arrest you for carrying a pocket knife. But, if you want to be on the safe side, keep the blade length under three inches.
 
I had read elsewhere on these forums that cops will make a weapons arrest for just about any knife in Philly.
 
Jersey would probably consider a pocket knife a weapon of mass destruction.

If you're a law abiding citizen, I wouldn't think you'd have anything to worry about.
 
I had read elsewhere on these forums that cops will make a weapons arrest for just about any knife in Philly.
Click to expand...

Philly and NJ will make a weapons arrest for ANYTHING. Not just a Knife. Just DOn't carry one there. Period!!!! It's up to the Officer if you're carrying for a "lawful purpose". So Unless you're actually cleaning a fish on the dock( And I'd still worry) walking aroung with a BM or Spyderco will get you a felony charge. and since you don't live there your bail will be outrageous since you're a flight risk. I'm a Lawyer BTW. So I know what I'm talking about with this state specifically. I used to be an assistant D.A. In Atlantic county NJ. Now I'm a Defense Attorney because it's all CRAP. I could go on for hours about the politics. But you should get the point.
 
Put it this way. the DAs office actually successfully prosecuted a gentleman for "Posession of a weapon", for having a Box cutter/Razor knife in his CARPET INSTALLATION VAN, WHILE ON HIS WAY HOME FROM WORK. He was a NON-FELON. The Knife was on the dash. They offered him either the full 18 moths in state prison if he plead guilty and lost. OR 6 months in county jail in a plea. he took the plea. he obviously couldn't afford a "real" lawyer. Just the B.S. PD. Although he avoided the 18 in State and only did 2 months in the county jail, he's still a Felon now. It just sets an example. and another thing for instance. if you're a construction worker in NJ and have your tool belt with all the tools. Hammer, Prybar, knife, and everything else. you HAVE to put it in the trunk or back while traveling or you are charged with possession of weapons. If you can't afford a "real" lawyer your out of luck. So it sends the message to everyone else that if a construction worker will get felonies for his tools, YOU average citizen better not carry a mean Spyderco for NO apparent reason other then SD or EDC. And BTW there is NO SD in NJ unless you're a Cop,"Official", or wealthy.
 
Here's the thing, any cop anywhere can arrest you for carrying just about anything you don't actually have to commit a crime to get arrested, they can just say that you're a criminal if they want, luckily most won't, but there are some that are jackasses who will do anything to get their jollies by making your life hell. That's just a sad stupid result of this ridiculously padded society we live in where no one can think clearly enough to make rational and legitimate decisions. You have to make the determination for yourself if carrying a knife is worth the risk. There is really no way to discuss this issue from a legal standpoint because no one, not even those enforcing the laws know how to do it properly. That is the entire reason why these laws are ridiculous, they'll waste their time arresting a farmer for carrying a switchblade when they should be worrying about the guy beating the crap out of another guy for wearing the worng color T-Shirt in the wrong part of town. Bottom line is it's entirely up to you, these laws are pointless words when it comes to enforcement and punishment because no one can think and make decisions on what's right, they make them on their own personal opinions, interpretations, and feelings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top