Quick Question: Wisonsin Knife Carry Laws?

TrailWolf

TrailWolf

Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
2,809
Hi all - quick questions for any of you that live in Wisconsin:

Headed to there tomorrow morning and want to take a few blades - just curious what the knife carry laws are there with regards to folders and fixed blades.

Can I carry my RC-3mil on my belt? Does it have to be concealed? Are 3.5 inch fixed blades a no go...? Are fixed blades even legal?

Can I carry my Emerson mini CQC 7? Does it have to be concealed? Can the clip show in my pocket...?

Thanks!
 
Hello, I am not from Wisconsin but maybe this will help:

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/wi.txt

Updated March 6, 2007

Wisconsin - 941.24. Possession of switchblade knife. (1)
Whoever manufactures, sells or offers to sell, transports,
purchases, possesses or goes armed with any knife having a
blade which opens by pressing a button, spring or other
device in the handle or by gravity or by a thrust or
movement is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor...
[Note: the wording of this statute is different from all other state
switchblade statutes.]



Wisconsin - 941.23 Carrying concealed weapon.
Any person except a peace officer who goes armed with a
concealed and dangerous weapon is guilty of a Class A
misdemeanor.

Wisconsin Case Law:

To "go armed" does not require going anywhere. The elements
for a violation of s. 941.23 are: 1) a dangerous weapon is on the
defendant's person or within reach; 2) the defendant is aware of
the weapon's presence; and 3) the weapon is hidden.
State v. Keith, 175 Wis. 2d 75, 498 N.W.2d 865 (Ct. App. 1993).

Judges are not peace officers authorized to carry concealed weapons.
69 Atty. Gen. 66.
 
Thanks for the info! I did a search and found much of the same stuff - I guess its so darn vague for a reason and depends on the LEO ;)

Well, maybe I should take the Izula instead just to be safe...

Thanks again!
 
WI LEO here. This might be a bit late, but do not conceal it, as that violates the CCW law. We unfortunately have not been able to get the Personal Protection Act passed in this state with our current Governor in office to get CCW on the books. Carrying with the clip in the pocket has not been an issue with any LEO that I know of and has not been considered CCW, just as folders in belt sheaths aren't considered to be concealed. There is no law on open carry of the knife, nor is there anything on length restrictions or folder vs fixed blade restrictions. Municipalities cannot make ordinances or restrictions that are more restrictive than the State Law. Some of this will depend on where in the state you are travelling to as well, as more liberal areas like Milwaukee and Madison where a knife for protection is a damn good idea is also the area of the state where people get more stupid and sheeplike when it comes to a weapon. Each County's District Attorney is the person that will ultimately make the decision on charging or not. Either way, any of the knife laws we have on the books are just misdemeanors, not that that would be of any great comfort to you! :P

Other than CCW, the only thing I can say to not bring with you are the knives falling under the Switchblade Statute. These are obviously auto knives and knives like Butterfly Knives that fall open. I arrested a auto theft suspect for a Buck knife he had worked to fall open as I needed him in jail and it was the only thing I had at the moment, but it was eventually pled way down to something not even similar if not dismissed. Basically, use common sense when travelling here. There are good and dumbass cops here like anywhere's in the country, but the good ones far outnumber the dumbass/prick ones. Enjoy your stay, and email me if I can be of any assistance to you.
 
Wow - thank you so much for the obvious time it took to write this informative response! Excellent information and it's great to know for future trips (we are out here twice a year and I never carried fixed blades before as I do now.

On the side of caution I just brought my mini cqc 7 and my izula which is my primary edc that never leaves my pocket. I have it clipped to my belt though now to avoid it being "concealed" thanks to your advice. My Emerson will stay in my suitcase.

Thanks again for the response - I sincerely appreciate it!
 
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