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Questions about laws while traveling
- Thread starter D7reamers
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I'm not sure that I fully understand the question. However, knife laws vary from state-to-state and even by county and city. You need to identify the relevant jurisdiction before you can determine what is legal. Where do you plan to travel?
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Danceswith knives is right on the money. Laws vary from state to state and even city to city.
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I am planning to vist 48 states and major cities for one year with my brother.
My trip would take place in the New England states, the Mid Alantic, the South, the Mid-West, and then the Pacific Coast.
My question is what knife can be legal to carry in most states and cities.
My trip would take place in the New England states, the Mid Alantic, the South, the Mid-West, and then the Pacific Coast.
My question is what knife can be legal to carry in most states and cities.
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2001
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Thanks for the clarification. Wow, that sounds like a great trip but it presents a heck of a difficult question!
Most jurisdictions that I have reviewed do not have limits below 2.99 inches. So your best bet would be to stick with a blade that is a bit under 3 inches. One exception is if you will be in a lot of federal facilities or campuses, where I believe that there are some 2.5 inch limits.
My guess is that a folder may be a better choice than a fixed blade IF you are carrying concealed. Here in California you can carry a concealed folder, but a concealed fixed blade of any length could be charged as a felony.
I would also be inclined to select a PC folder, such as one of the Swiss Army models. For some reason, those are considered a lot less threatening than more tactical looking knives. I would pick one without a locking blade, because locking blades are problems in a few jurisdictions.
Of course, the bottom line is that your behavior and demeanor are almost as important as the knife. If you present a non-threatening appearance and behave responsibly, that will go a long way toward avoiding knife law problems.
Sorry I can't give you a better answer, but there are literally hundreds of laws that could apply to the areas you are visiting.
Most jurisdictions that I have reviewed do not have limits below 2.99 inches. So your best bet would be to stick with a blade that is a bit under 3 inches. One exception is if you will be in a lot of federal facilities or campuses, where I believe that there are some 2.5 inch limits.
My guess is that a folder may be a better choice than a fixed blade IF you are carrying concealed. Here in California you can carry a concealed folder, but a concealed fixed blade of any length could be charged as a felony.
I would also be inclined to select a PC folder, such as one of the Swiss Army models. For some reason, those are considered a lot less threatening than more tactical looking knives. I would pick one without a locking blade, because locking blades are problems in a few jurisdictions.
Of course, the bottom line is that your behavior and demeanor are almost as important as the knife. If you present a non-threatening appearance and behave responsibly, that will go a long way toward avoiding knife law problems.
Sorry I can't give you a better answer, but there are literally hundreds of laws that could apply to the areas you are visiting.
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Another thought would be a Leatherman or other multi-tool. It might not be especially useful for self defense, but it would be handy for chores and unlikely to attract law enforcement attention.
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Thanks a lot for the offer, it sounds like fun. Unfortunately, I'm getting ready to move to Alaska so I'll be busy. When I changed careers in '93, I packed up the pickup and took a 15,000 mile trip through Canada and Alaska for 4 months. You should have a great time!
In most of the jurisdictions with which I am familiar, a fixed blade can be stored in a locked trunk. There may be a few odd exceptions, but generally that would not be considered "carrying" a knife because it would not be accessible to you. If you really wanted to cover your backside extra well, which I sometimes do when transporting firearms, you could keep your large blades (and guns) in a locked case inside the trunk. That's probably overkill for knives, but if you are already carrying a locked gun case and have room to include them, what the heck. By the way, if you will be bringing any firearms with you, the NRA has some good pamphlets on interstate transportation of guns and the laws of the various states/cities (and the District of Columbia).
In most of the jurisdictions with which I am familiar, a fixed blade can be stored in a locked trunk. There may be a few odd exceptions, but generally that would not be considered "carrying" a knife because it would not be accessible to you. If you really wanted to cover your backside extra well, which I sometimes do when transporting firearms, you could keep your large blades (and guns) in a locked case inside the trunk. That's probably overkill for knives, but if you are already carrying a locked gun case and have room to include them, what the heck. By the way, if you will be bringing any firearms with you, the NRA has some good pamphlets on interstate transportation of guns and the laws of the various states/cities (and the District of Columbia).
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It is well worth it to visit Alaska, but it is definitely season-sensitive. I usually advise first-timers to shoot for late July, August or early Sept. The bugs are usually worse in late May to mid-July, depending upon the year and location. October to April can be "climatically challenging", again depending upon the year and location. (Of course, we Southern Californians think anything below 70 degrees, dry, and sunny is challenging!)
Dreamer, Dances gave you an excellent answer about what knife would be legal throughout the US. I'm not an attorney, but I've been researching the same question and have come up with a slightly more detailed answer. I'll post my summary below...
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Restrictions and blade length limits vary widely throughout the US, but posession of an under-3-inch-bladed (measured from end of handle) normal folding knife (including one-hand-opening locking folding knife) carried either concealed or openly should be legal almost everywhere. Avoid fixed-blade knives, double-edges, spring or gravity opening knives such as switchblades or balisongs (butterfly knife) or anything flickable. Normally prohibited in: schools, airport secure areas (inside checked luggage is OK), courthouses, federal buildings (2.5 inch exemption), and wherever posted.
Of course, it is illegal to brandish or threaten anyone with any knife. Since many jurisdictions ban *any* concealed "weapon," never refer to your knife or anything else as a "weapon;" only as a tool (LEO: "Do you have any weapons?" You: "No, but I have a pocket knife." LEO: "Why do you have it?" You: "Opening boxes." Do not say "self-protection." Say no more. Ask for attorney if questioning is incessant.).
These general guidelines should be OK in Canada and Mexico also. Check first before entering other countries. Laws change and enforcement could be more strict than law, so you can never be sure.
Notable exceptions to the above guidelines:
Ohio: Possibly more restrictive laws in certain cities such as Akron & Cuyahoga Falls which consider blade lengths greater than 2.5 inches to be weapons.
MA: The cities of Boston and Lynn have a 2.5 inch limit.
NY State: There may be a 16 year minimum age limit and you may have to be a US citizen there to carry any knife. In NYC, open carry is illegal, so concealement may be legally required. On a related note, posession of chemical mace is probably illegal in NY state.
California: 2.5 inch limit on all school property including all colleges/universities.
Following the 3 inch guideline above should allow you to travel freely throughout the US without having to worry about the local variations in law (note above exceptions). If you want to go beyond the 3" general guideline for folding pocket knives or carry a fixed-bladed knife (normally illegal to conceal), It is likely you can do that in many localities in the US, but you must research the laws for any localities you will be in to be sure of being in compliance. Applicable laws include state, municipal and possibly county and special regulations such as university policies and watch for different ways jurisdictions measure blade length, such as 3.5 inches from the pivot in CO, and also that concealment may be either prohibited or required. Penalties for violation can be severe in some cases including felony charges.
******
Restrictions and blade length limits vary widely throughout the US, but posession of an under-3-inch-bladed (measured from end of handle) normal folding knife (including one-hand-opening locking folding knife) carried either concealed or openly should be legal almost everywhere. Avoid fixed-blade knives, double-edges, spring or gravity opening knives such as switchblades or balisongs (butterfly knife) or anything flickable. Normally prohibited in: schools, airport secure areas (inside checked luggage is OK), courthouses, federal buildings (2.5 inch exemption), and wherever posted.
Of course, it is illegal to brandish or threaten anyone with any knife. Since many jurisdictions ban *any* concealed "weapon," never refer to your knife or anything else as a "weapon;" only as a tool (LEO: "Do you have any weapons?" You: "No, but I have a pocket knife." LEO: "Why do you have it?" You: "Opening boxes." Do not say "self-protection." Say no more. Ask for attorney if questioning is incessant.).
These general guidelines should be OK in Canada and Mexico also. Check first before entering other countries. Laws change and enforcement could be more strict than law, so you can never be sure.
Notable exceptions to the above guidelines:
Ohio: Possibly more restrictive laws in certain cities such as Akron & Cuyahoga Falls which consider blade lengths greater than 2.5 inches to be weapons.
MA: The cities of Boston and Lynn have a 2.5 inch limit.
NY State: There may be a 16 year minimum age limit and you may have to be a US citizen there to carry any knife. In NYC, open carry is illegal, so concealement may be legally required. On a related note, posession of chemical mace is probably illegal in NY state.
California: 2.5 inch limit on all school property including all colleges/universities.
Following the 3 inch guideline above should allow you to travel freely throughout the US without having to worry about the local variations in law (note above exceptions). If you want to go beyond the 3" general guideline for folding pocket knives or carry a fixed-bladed knife (normally illegal to conceal), It is likely you can do that in many localities in the US, but you must research the laws for any localities you will be in to be sure of being in compliance. Applicable laws include state, municipal and possibly county and special regulations such as university policies and watch for different ways jurisdictions measure blade length, such as 3.5 inches from the pivot in CO, and also that concealment may be either prohibited or required. Penalties for violation can be severe in some cases including felony charges.
North Carolina General Statutes exclude from considered
"carrying concealed" any small knife that is designed to be carried
in the pocket,or pocketbook that the blade and cutting tip are completly covered by the handle. This is just about any folder which
means that you can carry knives that are adequate for your protection
i.e. Cold Steel extra large Voyager Tanto, Recat Sifu ect.
"carrying concealed" any small knife that is designed to be carried
in the pocket,or pocketbook that the blade and cutting tip are completly covered by the handle. This is just about any folder which
means that you can carry knives that are adequate for your protection
i.e. Cold Steel extra large Voyager Tanto, Recat Sifu ect.