Sharpened Clips and Connecticut

[mp510]

I know that the definition of a dirk or dagger in 53-206 is vague to say the least- the statuatory verbiage makes no real definition to define the items. However, as Chris Meyer has previously mentioned (and as common sense would dictate) current doctrine is that a double edged knife is a dagger. I have sort of been thinking about ordering a Ontario Navy MKIII Mod. 0 Combat/Survival knife It has a pretty normal looking bowie like blade- like most traditional hunting knives. Obviously, the blade is 4+ edged so if it wasn't a dagger it would be for hunting and fishing (I don't trap) only. Does a sharpened clip make something double edged and thus a dagger in Connecticut?

 

[joe-bob]

It seems so. Although it is non-sensical. Historically, daggers did not even have sharp edges. How "lawmakers" came to the conclusion that any double-edged knife is a dagger appears to defy explanation.

 

[Chris Meyer]

As you mentioned, the term "dagger" is not defined in the Connecticut General Statutes, and doesn't seem to have a firm definition anywhere. However, the CT Police Academies (Local and State) make it a practice to tell their recruits that a dagger is any double-edged blade.

In fact, just last week at a training class an out of state instructor was asking about the legality of having a sharpened clip on his Bowie knife. A CSP Trooper standing next to me chimed in that 53-206 prohibits double-edged blades. I pointed out that it actually mentions daggers, without specifying "double-edged". The Trooper told me I was mistaken and insisted that the statute specifically mentions "double edged" blades. We both know he is wrong but, since "ignorance is bliss", I didn't waste my breath trying to correct him.

So, to answer your question, if some law enforcement officer, be it a Police Officer or Fish & Game Officer actually examined your blade with the sharpened clip, they would in all likelihood declare it a dagger and you might well get arrested. Since I doubt the sharpened clip would help cleaning your fish, I would recommend taking some fine sand paper and just easing the clip so that it is sharpened no longer. Then you won't have to worry about getting jammed up.