philly knife laws

R

reskar

Joined
Jun 9, 2011
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I'm going to philly next weekend and would like to bring my para 2 with me but want to make sure it's legal first. Anyone know if it is or where I could find info on that? Thanks.

- Andrew
 
It's Philidelphia municipal code, section 10-820. This law seems to have been enacted as a result of Stanley (utility) knives being used as weapons. The blades on those are only about .75 inches, shorter then even Xacto knives.

(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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Common sense would dictate that keychain SAK's do not meet the "which can be used as a weapon" criteria, but the Para 2 does (not to mention being called a "Paramilitary" doesn't aid in arguing that it isn't a weapon). The usual caveat about common sense applies.

My non-lawyer opinion? Stick with keychain knives (SAKs, Ladybug, Mini-Buck, etc.) and bladeless MT, and don't clip them to your pocket.
 
I manage a few retail malls in Philly and I therefore meet with the Philly PD regularly, and they tell me they have a zero tolerance for any knife possession. I don't know how effectively they enforce it, but the law law is worded to make it worse then NYC!!!!!!!
 
You can carry a pocket knife with a blade length no greater than the width of your palm across the Delaware River in Jersey.:barf:
 
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There is no such thing as a "width of your palm" measurement in any law in the world. It's an urban legend, and even if someone tells me a cop told them that, all that means is they met a dumb cop.

I thought Jersey's phrasing was just as bad as Philly where you basically can't carry anything?
 
tom19176 said:
I manage a few retail malls in Philly and I therefore meet with the Philly PD regularly, and they tell me they have a zero tolerance for any knife possession...
Click to expand...

You're telling me that they won't even allow keychain SAKs?:numbness:

I guess now you have an excuse to buy an Atwood.:rolleyes:
 
I think the police were the ones who started the palm width rule. :jerkit:It has been common knowledge among the working class since the 1970's. My 48 year old brother (still in NJ) still won't carry a pocket knife that exceeds the width of his palm. LOL.:confused:
 
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