The issue of concealment does come up quite a bit both here in the Forums and elsewhere.
I've read many of the state laws dealing wiht weapons and if concealment in mentioned, I never saw a definition of what concealment was. Which is a problem.
I have heard of an LEO in KY for example saying that if any part of something called a "weapon" is not visible, then the "weapon" is concealed. So if carrying a handgun in a holster or a knife in a pouch on the belt would make the "weapon" concealed and was told "absolutely". Apparently the reason for this is that many holsters and pouches cover so much of the "weapon" that it would not be obvious to the orginary person that it might be a weapon.
An LEO in another state said that a Boy Scout utility style pocketknife was a concealed deadly weapon. Asked why and he replied with two answers. First, because it was knife capable of inflicting injury or death it was a deadly wapon. Second, because it was concealed because only the very tip of the little bail was visible under the flap of the pouch. When asked about the type and size of the knife and was told that those did not matter, ANYTHING can be considered a deadly weapon by any LEO. Again this was that LEO's opinion.
Basically, the way I understand it, an LEO can arrest you for almost anything. The arrest may not hold up, but you still were arrested. How common is it that some LEOs make the arrest and let the courts settle the case - rather than the LEO applying some common sense? But many state codes make it an offense for an LEO to not take action if they see a crime particularly a felony crime and usually concealed carry of a weapon is a felony offense.
But concealed carry aside. Some jurisdictions just make it an offense to carry (or even possess) certain types of guns, knives, and other weapons. They don't have to be concealed to be a weapon.
Only thing I can suggest is read the law and get a legal ruling on the issue.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Walosi:
We have an unusual situation in Ky.
"legal" knives are generally defined as common pocket or hunting knives, with blades under 4" in length. The only mention of knives under the CCDW statute allows concealed carry of "other than common pocket or hunting knives".
A distillation of bull sessions among CCDW instructors (after-class re-hash, not legally binding although some of these were attended by county prosecutors who offerred _some_ input) left me with the impression that a legal knife need not be concealed, and that a permit holder with an "other than" knife should keep it out of sight to the same extent that he hides his firearm, or risk charges of brandishment. A "legal" knife may be carried visibly or concealed, but if concealed and then displayed as part of a threat, then concealed weapons charges might be made."Concealed" is hidden, out of sight, not recognizeable. Open carry is visible. No mention (that I know of) that it be recognizeable as a knife (such as the tip/clip showing - not many nowadays wouldn't know it was a knife - _Eveybody_ will recognize a Buck in a belt pouch, not visible, but universally recognized0, so you can parse this until you begin to doubt what the meaning of "is" is but a knife in a sheath carried openly on a belt is not concealed. Arrests have been made on guns which were just shoved into the waistband, with the grip frame, hammer and part of the cylinder visible. Didn't stand up in any court I've heard of, but no doubt caused the carrier some bucks, court time and high blood pressure, which was probably the intent in the first place. Common sense should keep you from bearding the tiger. We all know there are those out there who deeply hate the rights to carry (anything) as well as the right to self defense. There is a church to which I once belonged which has written into its' doctrine that ANY killing is murder, and that it is better to submit than kill in self defense or defense of others. This mentality exists, to some degree, in many people. Your question of what is or isn't concealment is logically answered with just a few words (can you see it or not) but actual practice is rooted much too deeply than to allow simplicity.
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